Does the sewing bug run in your family?

I have three daughters, one does not prefer to sew or really do any crafting with the exception of scrapbooking. She is creative and may take on a project like flower arranging, but only when the need surfaces, not because she is obsessed like her mother!

My 2nd daughter dabbles in a multitude of crafts and does like to sew, but rarely does. She is a teenager and has far too many other life experiences to see and do. When she is older I do believe she will return to her love of crafts and also start sewing again.

Daughter number 3 is only four years old, but I think she is going to be my crafting companion. Every day she asks to go in my craft room. She loves to touch and play with my ribbons, lace and fabrics. She calls the fabric scraps "babies" and we keep them in a giant wicker basket. She doesn't let me throw away any pieces of fabric or ribbon, even thread, but instead wants to keep them as "treasures" (her word). She looks at patterns and decides which she wants me to sew and picks out the fabric from my stash. Yes, I do believe she is already hooked.

I have also acquired a delightful daughter-in-law who is crafty, artsy and creative beyond compare. I feel like a childish amateur next to her, but I do love sharing our mutual love of crafting and her work in all areas is simply amazing. She paints, creates pottery, draws, photographs, scrapbooks and so much more.
She has a gorgeous photography business you can check out at Hanle Productions.

My mother did not like to sew. She grew up wearing handmade items that her mother made. In the photographs I have seen her clothes were lovely and didn't look handmade in the least, but her heart desired a store bought wardrobe. Perhaps she put up a "block" to the idea of sewing. She definitely was creative. She always had beautifully decorated homes, she was a desktop designer and publisher, she arranged flowers, and dressed well.

In her family there were also three daughters and only one inherited her mother's sewing gene. My aunt sews well and creates unique as well as gorgeous items. She sewed her only daughter's wedding dress and it turned out perfect. She recently started quilting and her choice of color and patterns amaze me, they are striking.

I was bit by the sewing bug rather young, with a needle, thread and scraps from the rag basket I fashioned atrocious clothes for my dolls and lopsided blankets. In junior high I took a sewing class for home ec. and made a handkerchief shirt, I was hooked. That year Mom bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I had that old Singer for many years. About 10 years ago I traded it in for a Babylock. I still miss that machine, not only for the sentimentality of it, but that machine ran GREAT! I seldom had to bring it in for repairs. It was fast, heavy duty and easy to operate.

I Love Giveaways!

It is obvious isn't it that I love giveaways?
Well, I also like to support the blog world and fellow crafters which is why I take the time to link them to my blog.
By having the link on my blog I can revisit "friends" I may have forgot about.
I also like the new Follow feature on Google Friends.

Well, here is another giveaway I stumbled on at CT Publishing Blog, who just happen to be one of my favorites for quilting and crafting books. They have a Grab Bag Giveaway for you and while you are checking it out join their newsletter as they often post other giveaways.

I found another contest at Candle Lite Quilter blog who is giving away a TERRIFIC assortment of fabric, which includes 2 charm packs put together by her quilt store and two 1/2 yard cuts of Nature's Chorus by April Cornell. She is celebrating her 100th post, so hop on over to her blog and celebrate with her!

Do you like to crochet or want to learn? Here is an excellent opportunity because Sew Take a Hike has written an adorable Market Bag Pattern and she is giving away one of the finished bags as well as copies of her new and beautiful pattern. Please visit her blog where you will find some great tutorials as well as some gorgeous photography. She has an Etsy shop where you can buy her creations or the new pattern for the Market Bag.

Go Make Your Bed at Dark Horse Farm Designs is giving away a whole quilt! It is lovely and colorful. Check out her blog and the giveaway before the 12th of July.

Have fun checking out those blogs and entering the contests.

Sew Fun Quilts Birthday Giveaway

This is a generous giveaway because Sew Meow wants to share her birthday with us by adding 18 sewing related gifts to the package we could win. Please check out her blog Sew Fun Quilts.

Quilt Qua Giveaway

I found yet another giveaway at Quilt Qua where you can win1 Frosted Memories Fat Quarter Bundle by Holly Taylor for Moda Fabrics !
I just discover the Quilting Qua site and I think it will be one I return to as it has some great features.

Christmas in July Giveaway

I found another fabulous giveaway at Barb's Creations Blog. She is celebrating Christmas in July and has put together a generous assortment of items to be given away.
Check it out!

Birthday Giveaway at I'm Just a Guy Who Quilts

These are a three of the prizes I'm Just a Guy Who Quilts is giving away in honor of his July Birthday. Hop on over to his blog for your own chance to win!

All Things Lime at The Secret Stitch Club

Please stop over to this blog where you will find a delicious step-by-step recipe for Key Lime Cupcakes and a giveaway for a bright, cheerful lime-colored apron.
Find it at The Secret Stitch Club blog.

GIVEAWAY, Amy Butler tote kit

The Fabric Shopper is featuring a terrific giveaway right now. It is an Amy Butler Frenchy Bag patterns AND the fabric to complete one! It sure is adorable. I would love to win this! If you'd like a chance. enter the giveaway by visiting the Fabric Shopper blog.

Sheree's Alchemy

Sheree is a a delightful presence in the sewing world.
Not only does she create beautiful quilts, clothing and totes, but she also designs her own patterns.
Additionally, she is sharing her passion for sewing by offering classes to kids.
I was involved in a swap with her a couple years ago and was tickled with the fabric fat quarters she sent me.
She is also so very generous and has numerous giveaways for fabric and patterns.
This week she is featuring a giveaway with a box stuffed with delicious fabric scraps and an Amy Butler patterns, see the photo below.
Check out her giveaway at her blog.
Also visit her shop where she sells her amazing creations. She has another shop featuring fabrics.

Another great giveaway from Marcus fabrics

Another great giveaway from Marcus fabrics called the American Pastimes collection.
Visit The Fabric Shopper blog to enter for yourself.

Sis Boom Day Dreams Fat Quarter Giveaway

There is another giveaway at Sis Boom Day Dreams featuring their gorgeous fabrics.
Be sure to check it out.

Fabric Tea Sets

I just love the look of fabric tea party sets and I think my darling daughter would love one!
Here are some I found online.



Lilian Vernon has these two fabric tea sets that are too cute.



Check out these adorable tea sets made by Jodi at her Ric Rac Blog.

Here is one at Pottery Barn, which is sadly no longer available.

Here is a cute little set, perfect for taking to the park.



I would love to sew our own tea set, but I haven't found a pattern.
If you know of one, please leave me a comment with a link to the source, I'd sure appreciate it.

Great Fabric Giveaway!

A fellow sewing pal is busy launching her own clothing patterns and has set up a new online store for her darling girl's clothing, and much more.
She is cleaning out her fabric stash and giving some away.
Check it out at Sheree's Alchemy Blog.



trackback for the giveaway

Teapot with cinnamon sticks

Bule
Originally uploaded by Atelier Artes do Campo by Neide Galindo

This is adorable, I can almost smell the cinnamon...

Quilted Tea Set

Quilted Tea Set
Originally uploaded by PatchworkPottery

The creator of this tea set added beautiful embroidery and I lvoe the color choices.