A New Tablecloth { & Fabric GIVEAWAY! } : :

Each day this week I have a new giveaway planned, and today is all about my pretty, new linen tablecloth and the Online Fabric Store, a wonderful place to find all kinds of fabrics & sewing supplies, especially gorgeous Home Decor fabrics!



OFS recently reached out, offering me a wonderful opportunity to create a Spring sewing project using any of the fabulous fabrics & supplies they carry, as well as a $50 Gift Certificate to giveaway right here! Since I've been on the lookout for a new Spring-y, linen dining room tablecloth this was too perfect an occasion not to snatch up the fabric I needed to just make us one!

At the Online Fabric Store you'll find one of the largest inventories of upholstery, drapery, apparel, & industrial fabrics in the United States. They carry only the best and many of my personal favorite Home Decor fabric designers and manufacturing companies including Thomas Paul, Premier Prints, & Waverly, just to name a few! OFS carries an impressive variety of sewing supplies, quilting fabrics, crafting materials, as well, so you can imagine the possibilities! After a little deliberating I chose one of my favorites, this gorgeous 100% linen Portfolio Capparis in Sunshine print!




With a quick and very basic 1/2" hem we had the perfect, custom, pretty new tablecloth for our dining space! 




 
Enter to Win a $50 Gift Certificate to OFS today!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! I'd love for you to share a Spring sewing project you're hoping to tackle or maybe you have a favorite home decor project you've already finished! (one entry)
2. You can "Pin" your favorite fabric at OFS, like the Online Fabric Store on facebook, or follow OFS on Instagram as an optional extra entry. Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers always get an extra entry, too! Just let me know if you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I'm adding that as another way to enter! Whether by instagram, tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Tuesday, April 1st. The winner will be chosen by Random and I will announce their name, at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!  
 

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment!

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Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!! From  1,163 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is... 

Comment #655 --   *   darcie   * 

Congratulations, I'll be in touch shortly!   

Spring Things : :

 






This morning I had Birthday Crown orders to finish up and an appointment, and to tell the truth I am completely out of my regular old routine. I need to figure out a new one now that the puppy is here and I'm getting up several times during the night. After just one week, I went from someone who stays up to on average 1am, to someone who can't keep their eyes open after 10pm! After sharing my wip evaluation post and reading all your comments and encouragement, I've deciding to let the pressure I was feeling go, to enjoy everything including this new pace, which just so happens to be a slow pace right now. Besides, there really is no point in rushing quickly into a new routine anyways. The kids finish up school in a little over a week, and then we'll all find a new groove together!

I can't believe how quickly May is going by! How about you? I love Spring and really wish it was a longer season here. I'm trying to freshen up the living room a little before Summer. I brought in some Forsythia for the mantel, I love the bright yellow! But when the temperature dropped and I was completely exhausted early last week, my living room sewing plans were delayed when I decided to make myself some gluten free cookies, recipe here, for breakfast. I'm sharing because they really were the best GF cookies I've made and everyone loved them! Now I'm planning to make an ottoman slipcover for Lily's new favorite corner of the living room. Penelope doesn't love the hardwood, she just slips all over the place, so Lily has taken retreat there. I picked out this gorgeous Portfolio Capparis print in Sunshine. I love it so much!! Once I finish my little home decor diy project, I plan to host a special giveaway sponsored by OFS right here!

Penelope is doing great! We had just a couple accidents last week, which were contained to her kennel, which kind of threw us, especially since she made them shortly after coming in from outside?  I keep referring to the comments you all left for us in my post introducing Penny for guidance! You guys really are the best!!

This week I'm having a sale in my etsy for 20% off any crown or felt purchase. Just use coupon code Spring20 at checkout.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! And a BIG thanks in advance to those of you who stop by my shop this week!  ♥,  Maureen

Spring Birdie Pillow Winner!!

Thank you to all who entered my Handmade Giveaway!!

Your comments were amazing! I read each one and took notes and just as soon as I can, I'm going to share my plans and ideas of what I hope for this blog. That might take a little longer than I want, since I have had one crazy week -- 32 birthday crowns to make, a couple other projects to finish, and a new niece or nephew is on the way! YAY!! Not to mention, Friday is my hubby's and my 10 year anniversary and Saturday is my son's 8th Birthday. Double YAY!! And....well, you get the idea. When it rains, it pours. Very true!! All of these things are true blessings, I know!! 

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SO...from the 506 entries Mr. Random says the lucky winner of my Spring Birdie Pillow and a few extra goodies is comment #436 --

Danny Heyen who said... I am a follower!!! 

But! Danny's comment just after that is much better, so I'm going to share that one, too, which read...

"I want to see more of your creations. This is your creative journal and I love that about your blog. You do what you want. Make what you want. Share what you want. There's something so freeing about that and it seems like it makes you happy. I love when you dive right into a project because it looks good in your head. I love that you share about your kids and how they help you. So that's what I want.
More of the same. Your blog is beautiful."

 Congratulations Danny and Thank YOU!!! I will be in touch shortly!

 I have yet another new fabric giveaway beginning this Friday morning!!  So be sure to stop back!! 

   p.s. Thanks to those of you who took the time to vote today! You're the best!!! :)

A Handmade GIVEAWAY!!!

 

Another Giveaway? YES! I decided late last week to have a handmade giveaway today for one of my own pillows. There are a couple of reasons I feel like celebrating right now...

1. My blog is very close to having 2,500 followers! And, that is just completely amazing to me! I have in so many ways had the most challenging personal two years of my life, but the most blessed two years all because of this blog, as well. I’m so grateful to all of my readers who follow, subscribe, comment, and share my posts. It's you all who keep me motivated to keep on creating and who are making so many of my dreams come true!

2. Feather Your Nest! Have you heard? It's a new sewing and stitch - along contest on Stumble & Stitches! I have been asked to join in as one of the judges, along with Ellen Luckett Baker of The Long Thread, Amanda Carestio of Lark Crafts, Rashida Coleman-Hale of I Heart Linen, Keli Faw of Drygoods Design Online,  Rachael Gander of Imagine Gnats, Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop, Jennet Mae Jones of Feathered Nest Studio, Kristin Link of Sew Mama Sew!, and  Melanie O'Brien of A Sewing Journal. Honestly, having my name listed amongst their names for anything is reason enough for me to feel like celebrating!

There will be some amazing prizes to win in the Feather Your Nest contest. Including $150 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop! WOW!!


You can find all the details right here, as well as my very own "nest" being featured today on the Stumbled & Stitches blog! So what do you say?? Will you join in and welcome Spring in handmade style with us? I hope so!!

For my own Handmade Giveaway today, I thought it would be wonderful to get the chance to help "Feather Your Nest" by offering one of my handmade pillows to one of my readers. Last month for my two year Sew-iversary, I shared my new Summerlove Spring Birdie Pillow and asked you all to share your sewing story with me. I received a great response on both my pillow and with your stories, so today, I'm offering one of my Spring Birdie Pillows to one of you! This one measures a 14" square, has three little Summerlove appliqued birds, I will be including an insert, and a few other surprise goodies, too!

Enter to Win!
 
Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post letting me know what you'd like to see more of here on my blog. Or, if you plan to join in the contest, you can let me know what handmade item you plan to make to "Feather Your Nest." (one entry)

2. My followers get a second entry! I thank you all SO much for following!! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)

That’s 2 possible entries! Enter now through Wednesday evening, April 18th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Happy Monday!

Back to Busy : :

I woke up early this morning and came right into my sewing room.



Right away I began to sew my rainbow quilt blocks together. Thirty five minutes and two rows in and I had my first visitor. And, then my second....and then third.

It felt like Summer and reminded me just how my sewing time was last year -- a few minutes here, a few minutes there. Most the time that's alright, but this morning I was really hoping for at least an hour!  



I'm hoping to find a little more time to finish off this quilt top today, wish me luck!

♥ Maureen

Studio Snapshots : :

Yesterday I didn't find as much sewing room time as I had hoped to after being gone for several days.  Honestly, the only things I kept thinking about really wanting to make back here at home, were more of those wonderful Scrappy Improv Chevron Blocks and more birds!

I did find all of about 45 minutes, with a little helper by my side, to be in my room. I walked in, immediately putting on Pandora, noticing the mess I had left everywhere, sat on the floor with my camera and I started taking photos. Want to see?

It's safe to assume that this is where Lily spent most of the time while we were away. I had left my large order of  AMH's Loulouthi Coreopsis sitting on my sewing desk, waiting there to remind me they needed to become curtains when I got home. I think she's going to be upset with me when I do start sewing with them!



I had left a small pile of Art Gallery Birds to remind me, just in case I were to forget, that I wanted to put a bird on everything last week. This week, I still do!



I'm excited to add them to these lovely new Robert Kaufman Linens and Timeless Treasures Texture prints from JAQS Studio, in the form of pillows, tea towels, and possible a new bag!



I whipped up this block on a whim a week or so ago, after getting an idea while thinking of this pillow, and I'm still not sure what it should be? Ideas appreciated! I was planning to add it to a back of a bag that I want to make in the very near future, perhaps I should just stick with that?



I snapped a quick photo of my huge stack of Urban Cowgirl that I had won a few weeks back from the Fat Quarter Shop! I still can't believe it and still don't have a plan for them just yet. I think I'll continue to admire them all bundled up so nicely the way Moda always does!



After spending a very special stretch of days with my family, it was extra sweet to finally turn my calendar to April and to find this image. My husband and I will be celebrating our TEN year wedding anniversary later this month, so it felt pretty perfect! Isn't it sweet?



When my 45 minutes of sewing room time was up, I felt as though I had accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, even though I didn't actually have anything to show for it. It was a great reminder of all the things happening and waiting to happen, but mostly that some days the best thing to do is just to sit and notice and just be.

Today, however, I feel like sewing! How about you? Have you made anything new lately? I'd love to see!

Twine Pompom Garland Tutorial : :

I'm home from a wonderful long weekend away and I thought it would be the perfect day to share a "no sew" (well, almost) tutorial with you today, since I'm up to my ears in laundry and it just happens to make a sweet Easter decoration. There's still time, right!?



What you'll need : :

• Whisker Graphics Divine Twine in a variety of colors
• Circle template or object to trace for pompom maker making
• Pen/pencil for tracing
• Sharp scissors
• Cardboard or heavy weight card stock
• Fabric Scraps (optional)

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1. Trace the circle template or object onto cardboard/card stock to make your pompom maker (this is the perfect job for kiddos or you can purchase pompom makers, too)  2. Add a smaller center circle and draw a line connecting outer cicrcle to the inner circle  3. Cut out the circles, cutting the line and removing the center circle, as well. (This might be a job just for the adults, depending on how old and handy with scissors the children are.)  4. Each pompom maker will require two of the cut out circle cardboard pieces layered together

5. Slip twine end through the cut line of your "doughnut shaped" cardboard pieces and hold the end tightly  6. Continue wrapping the twine around the cardboard by slipping it through the cut line, covering up the cardboard as you go

7. Continue until you have covered the cardboard nicely. You can use less or more depending on how full you want your pompom to be  8. Now it's time to cut! Run the scissors up through the two cardboard pompom makers. Cut carefully to create the fringed edge all the way around  9. Keep the cardboard in place and run a length of twine measuring several inches up in between the two pieces of cardboard. Secure twine by tying a double knot rather tightly  10. Once the twine pieces are secure, remove cardboard pieces, trim away excess twine

Voila! You now have a cute little twine pompom!

Repeat with the other colors of twine. We played around with the fullness and size of the pompoms. Simply, wrap extra twine around the cardboard pompom makers, to make some nice and full, and/or cut out smaller pompom makers from the cardboard to make a variety of pompom sizes.

When you're finished making the pompoms, add them to a long long length of twine

and you'll have a super cute and simple strand of garland to hang!

You can also stitch on several pieces of fabric scraps in coordinating colors to create more of a banner!

I think this makes a very sweet Spring and Easter decoration. Enjoy!!

Summerlove Spring Birdie Pillow : :

Last night while uploading these photos of my new pillow I started thinking about how magical all of this is. Not just being able to share my handmades or how passionate and completely in love with sewing I am, but the magic of sewing itself. It's amazing, isn't it? Just think of how much pleasure sewing gives us all and how it has connected us. Sewing is such a creative meditation and a joy, but just think of all the folks who were and are forced to work all hours behind a sewing machine or stitching by hand. Their experience is so very different. Honestly, it's a privilege to be able to sew for pleasure!

How in one moment we can have an idea.



Reach for a beautiful stack of fabrics, designed by someone we can actually connect with and share with.



Then turn those fabrics into something beautiful and completely unique to each of us.



That we can love and share and use to inspire someone else to do the same.



At the end of a project sometimes it's nice to think about just how lucky we are!

This month marks my two year Sew-iversary and my love for sewing just grows more and more. I hope you can tell! I'm so grateful to have my go-to happy places -- this blog, to share and my own sewing room, both are filled with so much beautiful threads and fabrics, handmade things, art, peace, togetherness, and love. It's amazing!! And, honestly, it's a privilege! I love it.

For two years now, I've been teaching myself as I go. And I'm just a bit curious today, if you have a minute please comment here, and share your sewing story! Do you sew? If you do, what age did you start? Who taught you? What do you love to make right now? I'd love to know!

Weekend Spring Sewing : :

Yesterday I had myself the longest sewing day to date!

I worked on a tutorial for a Spring Twine Garland.



I admired my lovely new stack of Summerlove.



Decided I needed to cut into them ever so slightly, to realize a Spring Pillow idea.



Mostly worked on these, plus a dozen others that didn't get finished until the wee hours.



Made this ridiculous and smelly mistake at some point during all the making. Ack!



Had to cash in this coupon just as soon as the kids were home.



Continued to dream up a plan for my new sketch stitch girl.



Today, I'm wishing you all a wonderful Monday morning and I'm wondering, what did you make this weekend?