Stitchy Giveaway - It's yours Charlotte!

I'm so glad to give this to Charlotte - we've been friends since Sew Weekly in 2012 when I first attempted online sewing and started this blog as a result.  Charlotte also suggested the first ever Sew Weekly meet up in London.  We've met up since for fabric shopping and she also guest posted for me in a Virtual Meet Up a couple of years ago when she modelled this lovely cord jacket she made.  We are still in touch on Facebook - thanks for sticking around Charlotte!

Stitchy Giveaway

To celebrate my return to sewing I thought I'd have a giveaway on the blog as it's something I've not done for some time.  I'm also amazed to learn that I'm nearing 100,000 hits - amazed because I started out as a sewing blog and veered off in other directions over the past couple of years or so. 

So, I have this 'fox in a scarf' pincushion and a Great British Sewing Bee Sewing Apron for the lucky winner.  The fox is ironic in that one of my most popular posts is of me in a fox scarf, albeit a knitted one.  The apron is quite snazzy - it's in a half apron style with pockets in the front to store scissors etc while you're sewing.  I think the GBSB series has actually inspired me to start sewing again.

    
So if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning, just tell me what's the longest time you've ever gone without sewing?  Please leave me a comment and I'll pick an answer at random in about a fortnight.  I'll also need a contact email.  Good luck!  

I Win Again ...

This really is proof that it pays to complete those fill in forms at the back of magazines for the giveaways.  I'm delighted to have a copy of this book from Sewing World.  I was hoping that out of all the prizes on offer, this would be the one I won - and I did!

As you can see, I have trouble taking a decent photo these days ....

Boutique Bags is a collection of 19 projects from which 76 bags can be made.  It's written by best selling pattern maker Sue Kim and published by Stash Books.  I like the Violet Bag and this will be the first one I tackle.  I'm thinking that a bag will be a nice, small project to get back into sewing again.

I've also entered the pattern swap over at The Monthly Stitch and am looking forward to seeing what my swap partner will choose for me - I'd forgotten how exciting things like international pattern swaps can be!  This is for indie pattern month in June ...

50.000 GIVEAWAY - it's yours Rosy

Completely by chance and a random pick ... so well done Rosy! I think I still have your address so I'll get your things sent out to you as soon as possible. I've enjoyed reading about your favourite designers - I forgot to give my reason for having such an admiration for work by Zandra Rhodes - it's the way she constructs garments around the prints she designs, rather than the other way round ... she comes up with such wonderful shapes. Anyway, thanks for taking part everyone - I wish I could have sent something to all of you.

Typically Zandra Rhodes! - Can't caption the photo, as I haven't been able to find a copyright owner.  Used for criticism and review only.

50,000 GIVEAWAY

Well I haven't done a giveaway for a while now and I decided to do one at 50,000 hits.  I've exceeded that now!  Up for grabs is a notebook decorated in an iconic Zandra Rhodes print - regular readers will know I'm a huge fan - a mini cross-stitch kit of Vintage Dresses and a sewing tin containing some useful bits and pieces.  So, a little collection of lots of things I like!  Designing, crafting and sewing ...

All you have to do to enter is tell me who your favourite designer is and why?  The draw will be open internationally for a week.  Good luck!

Don't forget to leave me some contact details!

I won! Thanks Zandra Rhodes!

Well it seems like I am still on a winning streak ... though I have been trying since before Christmas to win a Zandra Rhodes handbag.  Zandra Rhodes Handbags and Shoes have been giving away a handbag every Friday on Facebook - there's a post about which one in the morning and the winner is chosen just after 6 in the evening on the same day.  My perseverence has paid off, since I've won this Lucy clutch bag worth £99!!!  Woo Hoo!  Can't wait to get it in the post!

Emily - you win! ...... and so do I!

Emily - you've won the stack of eighths - congratulations!  Can you email me your address and I'll be happy to post them on to you.

I'm on a winning streak too - it really is worth filling in those coupons at the back of magazines for the giveaways in the issue.  This arrived out of the blue - love the colours and shapes of the buttons.  There's loads in the jar, all different sizes - lucky me!

3 in 1 Giveaway ...

Well, I'm heading towards 35,000 blog hits now and 30,000 passed me by completely!  It's also the countdown to Christmas and I thought I'd celebrate the first ever Sew Tiny, so I have this little stack of Christmassy eighths to give away.  I've never seen eighths before, which are exactly half the size of fat quarters.  I found them in a new sewing and quilting shop that's appeared in Ely.  Anyway, all you have to do is tell me what you're most looking forward to about Christmas this year - just leave me a comment below.  Open internationally.  I can't wait for my week of leave!  I'm actually planning to sew something large ... most likely my tartan coat.  Anyway, good luck everyone!  I'll make the draw in the next two weeks to allow time for posting.

  

Barbara won!

I'm so pleased that Barbara of zibergirl won the Sew Weekly Reunion Swap Challenge with a pattern I sent to her! Here she is ... well done Barbara!

They're yours Kat ...

I asked my mum to draw a name from a teacup for the winner of the 25,000 hits draw - I'll post the picture from my camera tonight - she chose yours Kat, so enjoy those covered buttons! I think I may still have your address from the stash swap but I'll let you know if I need it again. Congratulations!

Here's the photo ...

It's GIVEAWAY time again!

Well, I don't pretend to be anything other than a blogger on a small scale, so I'm ever so pleased to have exceeded 25,000 hits (well, it's over 27,000 now but it happened quick as a flash before I was ready!).  So, by way of a thank you, I have a few little goodies to give.  All you have to do is tell me what you're working on at the moment?  Just leave me a comment - I'll draw at random in a week's time.  Open internationally.

It might look as if I'm not working on anything right now, but I have the Reunion dress ready for reveal in a week.  I will admit I've been doing more planning and collecting, which is a good thing - I've enjoyed the break and getting out and about instead.

Anyway, the lucky winner will get this typically English half-timbered house pin tin (complete with pins), a set of fabric covered buttons and a little handbag mirror with a London theme.  They all reflect the kinds of things I like the most.  Good luck!

  

My Beautiful Presents

These beautiful things arrived for me today from Beata of Red Point Tailor, all the way from The Netherlands - she was my swap partner for the International Craft Swap.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I'm delighted, especially as I usually have trouble with the fitting of hats (I must have an odd shaped head!).  This one fits perfectly.  She sent some lovely jewellery too.  Sorry about the poor photo - I was trying to get the light shining through the glass necklace but its been so windy today and I couldn't keep it still enough!   I have some matching earrings too - I feel so spoiled.  Last, but not least, a set of inspirational magnets - they say exactly what I feel a lot of the time, so thanks so much Beata.  It's great to know you!

This is a better image!  From Beata's website - I'm sure she won't mind me showing you.  

It's yours Anna!

You have won the London Bus kit - I'm sending you an email today to confirm and to get your postal details!  Hope you enjoy it - it does look cute ... Congratulations!

Happy Holidays GIVEAWAY

Regular readers will know that I love a little trip into London whenever I can, just to try and find something that little bit different - some yarn, some fabric, a few photos of window displays ....

As I'm astonished to be heading up to nearly 15,000  hits and I want to do a Christmas giveaway anyway, then I have this topical pincushion kit that I'd like to send to whoever can tell me about a 'make' that would be just right for giving at Christmas.

I did buy this kit for myself, because I love felt, but I'm so busy at the moment that it's just not going to be completed anytime soon.  I also sent one to Seeks as part of a fabric swap some time ago.

Anyway, all you have to do is send me an answer and be either a blog follower or a new one ... yes, I don't mind if you want to join now!

Look forward to any replies and good luck!  I'll draw a winner at random within the next two weeks, ready in time for Christmas posting - (don't forget to send me a contact if you don't have a blog ...).

They're yours Rachel ...

Hi Rachel of House of Pinheiro - congratulations, the postcards of London and handbag pincushion are yours!  It was a completely random selection but I'm glad that you won in a way because I met you in London and I also really enjoyed the pincushion swap you hosted.  Anyway, if you'd like to email me details of your address then I'll happily get them to you.  I do have some details already but am not sure they are current.

GIVEAWAY ALERT! - Draw now closed

As I've now exceeded 10,000 blog viewings and around this time last year I'd only just started blogging, (entirely by accident!), I've decided it's time for another giveaway.

All you have to do is leave a comment about your favourite bag.  Why do you like it so much and what do you look for in a new handbag, tote bag (any kind of bag really!)?  I don't mind if you're a follower or not, but of course I'd prefer it if you were ... it's a bit frustrating when it comes to the point of giving away and there's no answer from the person who's won ...  Anyway, because of my fondness for bags in general, then I have this cute handbag shaped pincushion to give along with a box of retro style postcards of London.  I think they've been produced to celebrate the Jubilee and Olympics - I kind of fell in love with the images when I saw them so it's going to be hard to part with them...

Look forward to hearing from you!  Can you let me know how to contact you if you don't have a blog I can get through to?  Just send me an email (mine's on this blog).  Good luck - I'll draw an answer at random...

It's yours Mimi ...

I've been deliberating what to do about the pattern giveaway ... I didn't want to end up with another situation like the last one, sooo, I've made a decision that it's going to Mimi.  She's having a rough time at the moment and needs cheering up, I'm sure you'll all back me up with this.  Plus she's been a blog follower for some time and we met up at the UK Sew Weekly meet last year.  Anyway, congratulations Mimi and get well soon!

New Draw, Tuesday 28 February

Kim hasn't come forward, so I'm doing a new draw for the Amy Butler pattern and accompanying pincushion on the above date.  Good luck everyone!

Are you there Kim?

If I don't hear anything from you soon, I'll have to do the draw for the Amy Butler pattern again ... stand by everyone!

Congratulations Kim Powell!

Hi Kim, you are the lucky winner of the Amy Butler pattern and apple pincushion.  I hope you see this because I don't have a contact for you.  Can you please e:mail me at this blog?

Commiserations to everyone else ... thanks for answering and I now have a load more blogs to look at.  I put all your names in a paper cup, swished them around and asked my work friend to pull one out - not very sophisticated but it worked!  I decided to enter everyone, new followers included, as I'm grateful to know about you all. 

Happy sewing everyone!