Zakka Style Sew-Along {and GIVEAWAY!} : :

Here we are at week 23 of the Zakka Style Sew-Along and it's finally my turn to share!!



This sew along is being led by Lindsey and Amy. They have invited 24 bloggers to sew the projects found in Rashida Coleman-Hale's book, Zakka Style, and what a wonderful book it is! I was lucky enough to be gifted a signed copy when I met Rashida at a sewing retreat in Atlanta -- I love my book!!



And, I LOVE my Happy Garland Message Board! This project was designed by Katrien Van Deuren of A bit of Pilli Pilli. I adore her style!



Made with Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dyed Linen and colorful fabric scraps, with a sweet stitched bow detail, a little twine, and mini clothes pins -- It's the perfect place to hang a note and was such a fun project! As for my BIG news....I'll be sharing that soon!



If you join in and are making the Happy Garland Message Board this week, don't forget to post a photo of your finished project in the Flickr pool and link it up to Lindsey's blog, LR Stitched, for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Fabricworm. WOW!! Good luck!



Today, I get to giveaway FIVE sample packs of amazing Aurifil Thread! I've been using nothing but Aurifil for several months now and I love it! I'm so excited that five of you will get a chance to win some. A Big thanks to Aurifil for sponsoring this Sew-Along!!

Enter to Win!

 
Here's how,
 
Simply leave a comment here in this post!  Enter now through Thursday morning, September 6th. 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 anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!

Good luck everyone!!
* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

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

 

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  From 430 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky FIVE winners are... comments #

 75 --  Colleen
124 -- linda
203 -- Kristi
34 -- Jackie Dudek
11 -- pennydog

Congratulations, friends!!! I will be in touch shortly!

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For the Kiddos : :

There certainly hasn't been enough sewing/crafting time happening with the kids this Summer! How about for you? Usually, crafting together as a family is a huge part of our Summer, so I'm pretty bummed about it! But don't feel too bad, I think I'm the only one! I had so many things I wanted to make with them, that's just not happening. The main reason being this weather! It's just too nice hot to be inside. So, today I thought it would be good to share the couple of projects we actually did work on together before too much time passes.

Have you seen the book Sewing School? It's full of simple sewing projects for children to make. We've used it to help guide us through a couple different projects in the past (here), and it was really helpful. This time, in the early morning a couple of weeks ago, Jacob joined me in the sewing room and had decided on following a pattern in this book from start to finish.

It was fun to watch, to lend a hand when he needed it, and to have that chance for just the two of us to work together on our own projects.

He did a great job! Teaching him the basics during our Sewing Buttons 101 craft, really has given him the tools he needs to do this type of project almost completely on his own. And, he even has plans (weather permitting) to make more as gifts. Aren't they cute?!

Another project that we really had fun with are these fork pompoms!



We've made these several times (here and here), and this time we combined fuzzy, wool yarn and Divine Twine to make a colorful strand of garland, and even used one pompom to make a sweet flower!



If you're looking for a fun and easy craft to do with your own children or grandchildren, this is it!

I also finished up another Train Pillow Cover Set, as an etsy order, that I have to share! I've had my shop closed most of this Summer, and it certainly feels strange to not be busy making all those crowns and pillows like I was. Hopefully, I'll be plenty busy this Fall, when my shop is open, and I give my all to making this sewing gig my full time job!!



For now, I'm going to keep hoping for a nice two-day stretch of rain to happen sometime this Summer! One for a full day of crafting together, and the second to clean up our mess!!

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Friday Giveaway Day!! 

My sponsor, Whisker Graphics, has a really fun and special offer today!

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Whisker Graphics is a young, small company that strives to create fun, well-designed products that bring a smile to your face. They are the proud makers of Divine Twine (eco-luxe bakers twine in yummy colors), Bitty Bags and Sweet Stickys labels. Whisker Graphics is the little shop where you can find paper, printable and packaging goodness.

Website  *  Blog  *  Facebook 
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!!  

For this weekend's Giveaway, Whisker Graphics is offering Twenty Chevron Middy Bitty Bags, Twenty Chevron Little Bitty Bags, and One spool of Divine Twine! The color choice of these offerings is completely up to the lucky giveaway winner!

I've really enjoyed incorporating Divine Twine into some of my own sewing projects! Adding a running stitch around my Valentine Mini Quilt, making the twine pompoms for my Spring Garland Tutorial, and this adorable Easter Treat Bag Tutorial are great examples of how us sewists and craft enthusiasts can incorporate twine into our own work! 

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,

1. Simply add a comment to this post! I'd love to know what colors you would choose or what you would love to use these bags and twine for? (one entry)
2. Follow Whisker Graphics on their facebook page. Just let me know that you follow, by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. Followers of Maureen Cracknell Handmade get a second 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 optional entry)

Please, enter now through Monday morning, April 9th. 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 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!!!

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!!

Twine ♥ : :

You all know how much I love to share gorgeous stacks of fabric. Well, today I thought I'd share something else I've been crushing hard on lately -- Divine Twine! I'd also love to get your own thoughts on incorporating twine into our sewing projects.



I've been using twine occasionally in my own sewing projects and it's something I'm planning to do a lot more of. One of my recent favorites was when I added a running twine stitch along the border of my Valentine Mini Quilt.



This week I'm dreaming of making a new twine pom pom garland in time for Easter decorating. Making those twine poms poms was so fun and an easy project for little helpers, too.



I also plan to add twine hand quilting to an upcoming Riley Blake Design Team project I have in the works. I think the stripey colors of twine pairs so nicely with these chevrons.



I invited Whisker Graphics to be a sponsor here on the blog and I am so happy they accepted! Having a chance to work with such a lovely shop, who's twine is made in the USA, 100% cotton, so it's soft to the touch, bio-degradable and earth-friendly -- well I love it! I'm excited to be able to add them as a sponsor and to use such a great product in my stitch work!

Please do check out their site. I'm also using their super cute chick stickers now when shipping out my orders, when I can keep them away from the kids that is, we all love those! And, be sure to stay tuned for a Whisker Graphics giveaway or two in the weeks ahead!

Now, I'd love to know what you think about working with twine? Do you use it or have a fun idea of your own? I'd love to hear! And please share links -- I think a Divine Twine Pinterest board is in order!!