2011 Year in Review

Happy New Year's Eve!  Boy, this month really flew!  I'm glad it's over though, I didn't get to enjoy the holiday season the way that I normally do, so I'm ready to move on :)  And I'm ready to put 2011 to bed and get started on 2012!

But, before I do that, I wanted to take a look back at 2011 for the blog :)  This year was a great one for the blog, as I finally started reaching out to other bloggers with sponsorships and to readers with some really fun giveaways.  I sewed a ton, sold a good amount of my work, started teaching myself some html tricks, worked on my photos (although I never made that lightbox - it WILL be done in January!) and put some real work into my blog. 

Here's a look at some of the things I sewed up.  I had a blast making purses and pouches and will definitely by keeping that up in the New Year:

I also collected a ton of Pyrex!!!  It was a really good year for my collection:

Thank you to everyone for reading along this year.  I promise lots of fun things to come in the New Year. Oh and hey, can you believe, I actually started this blog 4 years ago today - I was at home by myself, drinking wine and watching the Three Stooges Marathon when I decided to take the plunge :)  It really grew this year and I can't wait to see how much I can put into the blog and get out of it in 2012.  :)  Hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's :)

Merry Christmas!

Source: flickr.com via Sharon on Pinterest

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas!  This space will be quiet until next week - but stay tuned for a yearly wrap-up post and some New Year's crafty resolutions!  :)

50 Follower Giveaway Winner

Good morning!  I'm here to announce the winner of the 50 follower giveaway!  Thank you to everyone who entered and to everyone who reads/follows this little blog of mine :)  And a big thank you goes to Diana and Sew Mama Sew for sending more readers my way!  Anyway, let's get to the winner!

The winner is commenter #5 - Lemony Lucy!!!!

Look for an email from me today!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Winner!!!!

So, I planned on announcing the winner over the weekend but I was stuck at work pretty much the whole time. But I'm off for the next two days so I can catch up on some blogging/giveaways/sewing. I hope anyway :).

And the winner is:

Commenter #52 -- Lee.W!!!! Lee, I sent you an email :). Thank you to everyone for playing!!!! It was so much fun to read all of your comments - I can't believe how far away some of you visited from :). What a great experience this was :)

Pyrex Hunting - a Hit and a Miss

First up is the Hit - a mint condition Butterfly Gold gravy dish.  Found this at Savers and I almost missed it!  There was really nothing good out, but I took one more look around and found it!  It had just been put out :) 

And next is the Miss....it's a sad one folks.......

Yes, it's a Green New Dots totally ruined by dishwashing.  So sad :(

New Sewing Pattern Review - Krissyanne Designs Ruffled Bow Cosmetic Bag

Hello there!  Today I have a new sewing pattern to introduce!  This cute little make-up bag is from the talented Kristin at Krissyanne Designs.  She has created her very first pattern and I was lucky enough to be a tester for her! 

As you can see, the Ruffled Bow Cosmetic Bag Pattern creates the cutest little bag!  This little guy is about 7 inches tall, 4 inches deep and 2.5 inches wide at the bottom of the bag.  The instructions were very clear and the pictures were super-helpful.  I really liked Kristin's zipper instructions and I'm hoping she'll provide a little tutorial here in the future :)

Recommended fabrics are quilting cottons and the interfacing is fusible fleece.  I used a linen for the exterior and Denyse Schmidt for Joann fabric for the bow and liner.  My favorite part of this bag is the bow - it's adorable!  Purchase your own pattern (currently available at a special discounted price!!) in Kristin's Etsy shop here, check out other item's she's made here on Flickr and like her on Facebook!!

Don't forget to check out the 3 giveaways going on right now!  See here, here and here :)  Have a great day!

50 Follower Giveaway!!!!

 

Hello there and thank you for reading!  So, I have been hovering right under 50 followers for a little bit now and I've been planning a giveaway for when I reach that magic number :)  Thanks to you all, I have reached it!  And now, it's time for a little gift giveaway....



One reader will win the pretty purple earrings and bobbie pin set pictured above!  I will ship anywhere in the world :)  All you have to do is follow me on GFC and then leave a comment telling me you are a follower.  New followers are welcome too :)  You can also tweet, facebook or blog this giveaway for additional entries but don't forget -- you must be a follower to enter.  The 50 Follower Giveaway will stay open until Sunday, December 18.  I'll announce the winner on Monday morning. 

It really makes my day when I see that people are interested in what I have to share here.  Thank you to each and every reader, follower, commenter and lurker :)

Oh and hey!  Check out my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway here and my giveaway on Dianapantz here -- it's giveaway mania!!!  :)

~Katie

Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!!!!

*****The giveaway is closed!!!!  Thanks to everyone who entered - I will announce the winner over the weekend!!!!*****

Hi there!  Today is Giveaway Day over at Sew Mama Sew and if you are stopping by for the first time - Welcome!!!  I'd love it if you would take a look around :)  I'd love it even more if you would enter my giveaway!!

Here is what is up for grabs -- a Zipper Pouch and Kate Clip set made up in Denyse Schmidt fabrics.  This is a tiny little pouch, but it's just right for some cash and coins :)

Here's an inside shot - the lining is red with tiny little polka dots, one of my favorite fabrics ever, it's so versatile! 

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me where you are from!  One entry per person please :) Oh, and I'll ship anywhere in the world :)  Thank you for visiting!!! 

Christmas Ornament Roundup

There are so many adorable tutorials out there for Christmas ornaments, I just had to share some of my favorites :)

Source: saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: craftycupboard.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: christopherandtia.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: stumblesandstitches.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: thecheesethief.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Free December Calendar Printable

Source: anythingbutperfect.com via Katie on Pinterest

I had to share this absolutely adorable (and free!!) printable from AnythingbutPerfect.com  I just printed it out and I'm going to get it laminated tomorrow.  I'm planning on using it to organize my blog posting and sewing (and make sure it gets done) for the month.  Go check it out!!!

Huge Giveaway on Vintage Wanna Bee!!!

 One of my favorite bloggers is having a huge giveaway!!  Nichelle, the author of Vintage Wanna Bee and owner of the shop of the same name, is celebrating reaching 1500 followers (in just 1 year!) by giving away a $100 credit to her shop - just click the pic above so you can go enter too!!! I love Nichelle's products, I have a rosette necklace and a cute little pair of rosebud earrings from her and I just ordered a Keep Calm and Carry On Necklace during her amazing holiday weekend sale over Thanksgiving weekend.  Check out her shop right here :) Nichelle's blog is so much fun to read -- she has a super-friendly writing style, is always promoting other bloggers and shops and also can also write an introspective post and really open herself up to her readers.  I'm consistently inspired by her, both as a writer and a crafter.  She's just great -- so go enter the giveaway!!! PS - I'm also going to be having a couple of giveaways here pretty soon - one for Sew Mama Sew's giant Giveaway Day *which starts next Monday and runs all week* -- and one for when I reach 50 followers *just 2 more to go*  Stay tuned!!  

Giveaway on Dianapantz

Wow!  I am beyond excited about the amazing amount of people who have commented on my giveaway for the Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!  Each comment makes me so happy!!!  And guess what -- I have another giveaway going on right now over on Diana's awesome blog - check it out right here!!!!  And as always, thank you for reading :)

Apples for Jam

Source: amazon.com via Katie on Pinterest

I was so excited to see this book at TJ Maxx while I was waiting in line last night!  I have read about Apples for Jam on Soulemama before and have had it on my wishlist for a while.  I picked it up last night at the bargain price of $6!!!

There are so many delicious looking photos and recipes in here - I can't wait to make Risotto with Fried Egg, Chicken Sauteed with Cheese and Milk, Pomegranate Sorbet, Mixed Brown Bread and more!  All in all, the book includes more than 200 recipes for all-natural and delicious sounding recipes...have you ever tried something from this book? 

Owls!

Hello there!  :)

 I've been building up quite the little collection of the cutest owl things and I wanted to share them with you today....

Here are some owl things that are on my wishlist (which keeps on growing!!!)

~Tiny Owls fabric~

~Kokka Owl Fabric~

~Owl Necklace~

~Letterpress Coaster Set~

~It's a Hoot Crochet Pattern~

~Owl Magnets~

I could easily add 50 more things to my owl wishlist - these are just a few of my favorites!  I found all of these on etsy - there are a million adorable owl items to be found on that site :) What are you collecting right now?