A Fabric & Pattern GIVEAWAY!

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The Cloth Parcel  is an online-based sewing, quilting, and crafting supply shop. They offer original patterns for immediate download or by mail, fabulous kits complete with everything you need, great picks of fabric on the bolt and precuts, and unique notions! The blog is a great place to check for quilt and craft ideas, quilting and sewing techniques and tutorials, and previews of upcoming products!

We invite you to visit the links below to see more and to follow The Cloth Parcel at their --

   SHOP  *  FACEBOOK  *  BLOG  *  INSTAGRAM
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting The Cloth Parcel!! 

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For this week's Giveaway the Cloth Parcel is offering TWO prizes, one right here and one on Instagram! Each winner will receive a beautiful bundle of Pat Bravo's Summerlove fabrics for Art Gallery Fabrics including four fat quarter cuts each, PLUS a PDF version of their exclusive Little King Quilt pattern!  What a gorgeous combination!!

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Enter to Win!

 
Here's how,   

1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. (one entry)
2. Follow the Cloth Parcel on Facebook or on Instagram. Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry) 
3. My followers get a third entry, whether you follow me here, on Facebook, or on Instagram, 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, instagram, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries. Enter now through Monday, October 5th. The winner will be chosen by Random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog.

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Thank you to all who entered our Giveaway! The lucky winner is GO STARS! Congratulations, I will be in touch shortly! 

HOMEmade -- A Butterfly Appliqued Curtain : :

Making a curtain is a super satisfying thing, it always leaves me with a good feeling! Besides being so simple, it's functional and likely more affordable to go the handmade curtain route. Of course, we LOVE that!



I'm hoping at least a few of you understand just how tricky it might have been to take a photograph of a hanging curtain, on a bright winter day, in a not-so-large bedroom, with a not-so-wide camera lens? It wasn't easy and I can't say that I ever really figured it out. When I went through my pictures I was a little disappointed, it looks so much prettier in real life, I promise! Yet my dedication to sharing my first "HOMEmade" project for this new home of ours pressed on, and I really hope you like it!



I only made one curtain and I'm still trying to decide if this window really needs two? What do you think?

This one was made with some simple, large improv piecing of several Pure Element solids from my stash and scraps left over from this qayg project, one of my favorite Summerlove prints Daydreaming in Sunshine (still available at @Hawthorne, Moona, & FQS), and a second curtain layer made up of lots of LillyBelle Garden Rocket in Turquoise.



I love seeing that sweet LillyBelle print peek through! Still the appliqued layer can be lifted or swept to the side, once we choose a Tie-Back, to reveal that gorgeous print. I chose to do it this way just for fun really, I thought the layers would look really sweet and girly, plus I knew we wouldn't reverse the finished drape often.



I added a quick Butterfly applique to match my girl's bedding!



Machine stitched with an Aurifil 12WT in a brown, and a hand-stitched loop-de-loop with pearl cotton floss.



It was a lot of fun to make this curtain and is definitely not the worst thing in the world to finish something and the only struggling part be the photographing that comes after!



When we first moved in I loved all the white shutters on the windows so much, I was rather opposed to having curtains on most of them. It was so lovely to see clearly outside! But now that we're deep into the winter months it's feeling a little bare. If I find time and a stronger urge in the weeks ahead, a few more windows in this home might just get a treatment after-all -- we'll see if I improve!  ♥, Maureen

Recently Made : :

Today I decided to stop the house tour and spare us all of an overload of dining room pictures and share some of the things that have been made recently in my new sewing room!

First up, a new Fox Pillow -- this one with a fabric fox and linen combo!!



It's an 18" sq and I do love the linen for this project. It is my contribution for a Woodland themed nursery in the works!!



He or she, hmn? looks very formal in our vintage chair, don't you think?!



I also have a couple of new things for my etsy shop!



A Three Little Birds Pillow. This one was made for Simply Handmade Magazine's Sewing issue for Fall 2012.



Made with one of my favorites -- Summerlove by Pat Bravo! You can find this little pillow available in my etsy shop  here!



I decided to turn a dress I had started for Haila into an apron for my etsy, as well. Originally this was going to be a Summer dress for my girl. She picked out the sweet pink and Yuwa fabrics herself and we were both excited! As time went on we both changed our minds and agreed this week that it would make a sweet half apron for tea parties, pretend play, and dress up for a little girl who loves pink and horses!



It's completely reversible and I do love that ruffle and those swirly stitch details!



I'm off to work on more orders!! Happy sewing! ♥,  Maureen

Some Happy Sewing : :

Yesterday was possibly the worst sewing day I have ever had to date. Nothing was going my way, and it only got worse as the day went on! I kept having to step away and when I would return, the silly mistakes and frustration would just continue. Blah! So, let's forget about that for now and focus on some happy sewing news, k?

I finished two more Simple Color Tote baskets for my rainbow of fabric scraps. These make me happy!!



I was so excited to receive so many comments when I first shared these, thank you! Fun and practical sewing is my absolute favorite, so these are nothing but a pleasure to make! If today's sewing road is just as bumpy, I plan to just stop and make more of these!

They are hanging and waiting to be filled, but I'm saving the fabric scrap sorting for the kids! Hopefully I convince at least one of them that it will be a fun game...he he



This new aqua tote is my very favorite! A little aqua over-load perhaps, with my chair and that door as a backdrop?!



And, this just happens to be the mug I'm drinking my coffee in today. Clearly I enjoy this color! This mug and the rest of the set, inspired my last Blogger Bundle for Pink Castle Fabrics, Sweet Summer Dreams. Today, Brenda listed my newest selection of fabrics - my "For the Boys Blogger Bundle". This new bundle is inspired by the room I hope to create for my boys in our new house, with colors that I also know my husband likes. With all the "girly sewing" I do and see, I thought it would be a nice change to put together a collection of fabrics the boys in my life would appreciate. I hope to use it to create something for them....for once!
(Oh, and all PCF pre-cut bundles are 20% with code : PRECUT20 this week only!)



In other news, I have a Three Little Birds pillow project in the newest issue of Simply Handmade Magazine's Sewing issue for Fall 2012. This is one of my all time favorite pillow designs!



I still remember the day I received my Summerlove bundle. It is such a gorgeous collection! I wanted to use it right away, but only a little because I loved it so much! This pillow is the design that emerged. I've made six of them now, and just listed this one in my shop!



And finally, be sure to take a peek at this weekend's Fabric Giveaway offering from Cotton Blossom Farms! A gorgeous bundle that will certainly make for some happy sewing!!

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A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

My sponsor, Canton Village Quilt Works, 

has a wonderful offer for this weekend's Giveaway! 

 

Canton Village Quilt Works was born out of a passion for quilting. Owner, Jacqueline has been a quilter for 18 years, a long-arm quilter for 12 years, in business for 12 years, a fabric shop owner for 2 years! She's designed for Quilt Magazine, is a quilting podcaster, is an avid quilt blogger, and she even has a Youtube Channel with design tutorials. Her shop carries an extensive Kaffe Fassett selection, as well as TONS of Batiks, Australian Aboriginal fabrics, Art Gallery fabrics, Black and White fabrics, and TONS of Kona Cotton Solids… all at extremely reasonable prices and speedy shipping!

Website * Shop * Blog * Facebook * Podcast

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We hope you enjoy visiting Canton Village Quilt Works!!  

For this weekend's Giveaway, Canton Village Quilt Works is offering a seven fat quarter bundle of the gorgeous Summerlove Collection by Pat Bravo, including one coordinating Oval Element Fabric!  
They are so gorgeous!!

In addition,  Canton Village Quilt Works is offering a special discount to my readers for 15% off ALL Art Gallery Fabrics for the duration of this giveaway!!  Use discount code :  15art at checkout! 

Enter to win! 

Here's how,

1.Simply add a comment to this post! (one entry)
2. Follow Canton Village Quilt Work's blog, facebook page, or sign up to receive the Newsletter. Just let me know that you follow Jacqueline, by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)

3. Followers of Maureen Cracknell Handmade get an additional entry, too! 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. (one optional 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)

Please, enter now through Monday morning, September 24th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog. I usually 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!!!

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

 

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  From 1,212 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #201 -- Gwen, who said...

I like Canton Village Quilt Works on Facebook. Thank you for the extra entry!! :-)

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

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Back to it : :

Last night I finally changed that broken needle and got back to it! My finger is still sore, my pride -- possibly a little sorer! But when there's so much sewing to be done, it's best to just dive right back in, with projects that are both simple and familiar.

Remember that Summerlove Spring Bird Pillow? I made another and it was just a quick and rewarding as that first one. I do love simple sewing projects!







Next, I started another Charlotte Apron Dress for my little girl. My only rule was wanting to use some of my new Robert Kaufman Essex Linen as the main dress fabric, and then I let her choose the rest. She did amazing!! I thought she would go in a completely different direction, so she really showed me! First choosing two of my Yuwa fabrics that she has loved since the day they arrived here, then two coordinating Pure Element Solids, and finally the soft pink flannel. She did so, so good!!



Since this was my second go at this dress pattern, I wanted to have a little fun by adding in a few extra little somethings along the way. First, I added a sweet little stitch to the apron ruffle detail with some of my Auriful Lana Wool thread in this pretty coral color.



and then I tried another new stitch on my Janome -- This great little loop-dee-loop stitch, I love it!



Last night I finished up the skirt, but before I move on to the bodice today I have birthday crowns to make!!

How about you, what are working on this week?? I'd love to hear about it! ♥ Maureen 

p.s. My Charlotte Apron Pattern Dress Giveaway continues HERE!!

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!

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?