Handmade ♥ : :

Hello! Gosh, I'm so behind on photographing my things to share here! I have a quilt finish, some more Making Rows quilt panels, a new quilt pattern in the works, and lots of Birthday Crown & Fox pillow orders all waiting for me to share, but instead today I want to show off a few of the wonderful handmade things I've received or have collected for birthday/holiday gift giving recently!



First, there's this beautiful fabric organizer/portfolio gifted to me by my friend Heidi. It was a complete surprise when it arrived yesterday in the mail, I love it! This Fort Firefly fabric by Birch Fabrics is one collection I can't wait to stash. It's so pretty!





To have received something so special from my talented friend made my week! Thank you so much Heidi!!





This sweet, pieced Fox Zip Pouch is made by Small Town Thread. I ordered this one for my little girl Haila, who's ready to start sewing!



This summer she got to play around on my machine a little and has asked for a machine of her own for her birthday in December. Having this chance to pick out some sewing supplies with her in mind is about as awesome as it gets!



Sew Fantastic makes these super cute Crayon Wallets, along with an amazing & colorful variety of pouches and other handy wallets! The best place to shop Terri's things is here, on Instagram. I bought myself a wallet from her a month or so ago and it's one of my most favorite things ever!





These Crayon Wallets I'm saving for Christmas, they go so perfectly with the new sketchbooks I ordered from Stubby Pencil Studios!



This year, I'm making an extra effort to make & support handmade even more than in years past. I'm getting so close to reaching my goal of making each of my children, nieces, and nephews their own quilt to give at Christmas, and I'm hoping to have enough time to make at least one more for whoever I get in our family gift exchange. How about you, are you planning to give a little handmade this holiday season? I'd love more ideas, so feel free to share your shop link or one you happen to favorite! I have lots of people on my gift list!!

♥ Maureen

A Back to School GIVEAWAY : :

There's nothing better than fresh, new art supplies!! With "Back to School" happening in just a few weeks here, and already starting in other places, I'm excited today to share a special Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway -- Just in time for all you busy, sewing Mama's & Papa's to check out their amazing "green" options for your school supply shopping needs! 

  

 

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Stubby Pencil Studio offers a wide selection of art and craft supplies for children that are not only high quality and affordable, but also eco friendly and fun for kids!

In their words, "Stubby Pencil Studio offers eco friendly craft supplies like crayons made from soy - not petroleum; stationery, greeting cards, sketchbooks and journals made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper - not virgin trees; pencils made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers - not dying forests. You'll also find unique eco friendly gifts, non-toxic toys, classic games, do-it-yourself kits, reusable bags, party decor and favors, and many other fun and creative eco products for kids."

  

You can check out Stubby Pencil Studio at their --

 WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * BLOG * NEWSLETTER

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!! 

For this special giveaway, Stubby Pencil Studio is generously offering to one winner an eco bamboo supply box filled with creative goodies!

The prize includes -- Glue Sticks, Crayon Rocks, Pencil Sharpener, Washable Markers, Cedar Pencils, Clipper Jr Pencils, Erasers, Scissors, Triangular Colored Pencils, Prang Crayons, Eco Highlighter Pencils, and more! All stored in a bamboo supply box.… A Value of more than $75!

In addition, Stubby Pencil Studio is offering 15% off for all MCH Readers! Use discount code SAVE4SCHOOL and receive 15% off orders thru 8/31!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! (one entry)
2. Follow Stubby Pencil Studio on facebook. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, on Instagram, or on Facebook, just let me know that 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 thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (one optional entry) 
 
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, August 12th. Mr. Random will pick the winner 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 an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!
 

 Wishing a wonderful new, school year to all!!!

p.s. I'll be back later today or in the morning with my newest quilt finish! See you then!!   ♥ Maureen

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Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *    
 

From 562 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

    Comment #224 --   *  Heidi Staples  *  

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!  

 

Celebrations and Earth Day Sewing : :

This weekend we celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary and Jacob's 9th Birthday. I'm sure it goes without saying that this weekend in April, the birthday boy's big day always wins out! This year Jacob decided on a movie theater theme party and it was so much fun!!



Complete with a Popcorn Cake, made by my best friend Cynthia of TaylorMade Baked Goods!



Paper good details that were super sweet, from Sweet Bella!



A concession stand, run by Haila and myself. We were both wearing our Applique Aprons!



This was my very favorite picture from the day! It was such a great weekend!!



Today, in celebration of Earth Day, I'll be sewing for each of the kids a cross-body, fold-over satchel in some fabric from my stash, mostly purchased from Bloomerie!



These bags will be made to fit their new sketchbook and pencil sets from Stubby Pencil Studios. We plan to do a lot of bike-riding this Summer and since my kids are all such little artists, I've been wanting to make them each a bag, perfect for bringing along their sketchbooks and drawing supplies!



I'll be sure to share them once they're finished!

Today, in celebration of Earth Day, Stubby Pencil Studio is giving a free set of colored pencils with every sketchbook purchased! These sketchbooks are really adorable, and are also super Earth friendly, made from 100% post consumer recycled paper that is acid and chlorine free, fully biodegradable glue, and vegetable based inks.


My kiddos are going to love them, I can't wait!

Be sure to check out these great sketchbooks here!

In addtion to receiving the free set of colored pencils, you can also use discount code EARTHDAY and receive 15% off your order thru midnight 4/22/13!!

Happy Earth Day everyone!! I wish you all a wonderful,
new week!!

♥,  Maureen

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

I have a very special Friday Giveaway today, just in time for the Holidays, with Stubby Pencil Studio!!  

With Christmas just around the corner, I'm excited today to introduce Stubby Pencil Studio 

 here in my Friday Giveaway spot, just in time for all you busy, sewing Mama's & Papa's 

to check out all their amazing "green" options for creative holiday gift giving!! 

 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Stubby Pencil Studio offers a wide selection of art and craft supplies for children that are not only high quality and affordable, but also eco friendly and fun for kids!

In their words, "Stubby Pencil Studio offers eco friendly craft supplies like crayons made from soy - not petroleum; stationery, greeting cards, sketchbooks and journals made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper - not virgin trees; pencils made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers - not dying forests. You'll also find unique eco friendly gifts, non-toxic toys, classic games, do-it-yourself kits, reusable bags, party decor and favors, and many other fun and creative eco products for kids."

 You can check out Stubby Pencil Studio at their  WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * BLOG * NEWSLETTER

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!! 

For this special giveaway, Stubby Pencil Studio is generously offering to one winner a Stocking Stuffed with creative goodies!

Stocking includes -- Rainbow Softdough, Crayon Rocks Holiday Set, Washable Markers, Mini Blank Books, Push-up Crayons, Frosty Friends coloring cards, Triangular Pencils, Colored Pencils Tube, Oil Pastels, Double Sharpener, Penguin Eraser, Clown Whistle, and organic Lollipops… A Value of more than $80!

In addition, Stubby Pencil Studio is offering 15% off for all MCH Readers!
Use discount code  MCSAVE15 and receive 15% off orders thru 12/31/12!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! If you want, feel free to share a favorite holiday craft you have shared with the children in your life?! (one entry)
2. Follow Stubby Pencil Studio on facebook. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that 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 thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (one optional entry) 
 
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, December 3rd. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog, I always try to have that up by 9 am EST!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

 Wishing a wonderful weekend to all!!!  

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   

  From 350 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #61 -- Cal, who said...

my comments are getting eaten up, but in summary, both my kids love art projects but are chaotic, so crayons mostly for damAge control right now.

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!

Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all who entered and to Stuby Pencil Studio for offering such a lovely, special giveaway this week!! You can continue to enjoy 15% off your order by using discount code MCSAVE15 thru 4/30/12!


 
From 480 entries Mr. Random says the lucky winner of the Eco Easter Basket is comment #428 -- Lisa Blyth who said...

Wow, what a generous giveaway! Thanks to you and the Stubby Pencil Studio. :)

Congratulations Lisa!!! I will be in touch shortly!

Great news!! I have a Fat Quarter Shop fabric giveaway beginning this morning at 9 am est!! So be sure to stop back for a chance to win!!

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

Stubby Pencil Studio offers a wide selection of art and craft supplies for children that are not only high quality and affordable, but also eco friendly and fun for kids!

In their words, "Stubby Pencil Studio offers eco friendly craft supplies like crayons made from soy - not petroleum; stationery, greeting cards, sketchbooks and journals made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper - not virgin trees; pencils made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers - not dying forests. You'll also find unique eco friendly gifts, non-toxic toys, classic games, do-it-yourself kits, reusable bags, party decor and favors, and many other fun and creative eco products for kids."



With Easter just around the corner, I'm excited today to introduce Stubby Pencil Studio here as a new sponsor, just in time for all you busy, crafting Mama's & Papa's to check out all their amazing "green" options for creative holiday gift giving!!

For a very special giveaway this week, Stubby Pencil Studio is generously offering to one winner an Eco Easter Basket filled with creative goodies!

A Felt Grass Garden Basket, 6x9 Recycled Sketchbook, Fingerprinting Art Kit, Easter Stencil cards, Watercolors with Bamboo Brush, Eco Egg Coloring Kit, E-color-gy Washable Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayon Rocks, Soy Crayons, Double Pencil Sharpener, Bubbles, Flip top, and more… A Value of $100!

In addition, Stubby Pencil Studio is offering 15% off for all MCH Readers. 
Use discount code  MCSAVE15 and receive 15% off orders thru 4/30/12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post to help me welcome Stubby Pencil Studio! (one entry)
2. Follow Stubby Pencil Studio on facebook. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! 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. (one entry)
 
That’s 3 possible entries! Enter now through this Friday morning, March 16th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.
 
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!!! Have a great week!