Weekend Project {Fabric Votives}

A lovely idea from 'Fellow Fellow'

Weekend Project {Memory Quilt}

I may have to learn how to sew for this reason alone...

via 'Martha Stewart'

"Giddy Giddy"

One night while on the web, I came across these perfect little pouches from 'Giddy Giddy'... Brennah has been asking each Sunday if she can bring a purse to church, but we really don't have anything that works... And of course, Leah being the little sister, she wants to do whatever her big sister does... I was smitten with octopus and Jay loved the pink bird... So we ordered them... They arrived quickly, in lovely packaging and I was more than thrilled! Why not head over to 'Giddy Giddy' and see if there is something that tickles your fancy... And then when you're done, head over to their blog, full of amazing ideas for kids!

Weekend Project {Ribbon & Lace Chandelier}

A lovely weekend project idea, a Ribbon & Lace Chandelier, from 'Andrea Dozier'... Enjoy!

Photo Dots...

Photo Dots Reusable Fabric Wall Stickers from 'Love Mae'

Weekend Project {Fabric Streamers}

A simple and lovely weekend project idea for Fabric Streamers from 'My Life {as a Sugar Lander}'! We're off to visit my parents this weekend and attend the wedding of an old friend... It promises to be a lovely weekend! Happy weekend friends!

Weekend Project {Fabric Flags}

A lovely weekend project idea that has so many uses from 'Scissor Variations'... Enjoy!

Weekend Project {No Sew Fabric Flowers}

I just love it when I come across a sewing project that doesn't require sewing... Like these beautiful No Sew Fabric Flowers from 'Ruffles and Stuff'... Aren't they lovely?

Weekend Project {Chipmunk Softie}

I can't sew to save my life... But if I could, I would make this Chipmunk Softie from a recycled glove... Is it not just the cutest thing you've ever seen? Inspired? There's a whole book 'Happy Gloves'... Perhaps I need to learn to sew... My girls would more than adore these sweeties!

And don't forget to enter this week's giveaway to win a 2011 calendar from 'Amelia Kay Photography'

{Kiki La Ru} Cake Bunting Giveaway

I met Dawn of 'Kiki La Ru' when I was shopping for Leah's first birthday... I happened upon her cake buntings and purchased 'Maddi' without hesitation, knowing it would become a feature at all upcoming birthday parties... When 'Maddi' arrived, I was more than thrilled... It was wrapped so nicely I could hardly bear to open it! 'Maddi' then had the honour of gracing Leah's first birthday 12-Layer Cake! For this week's giveaway, Dawn has graciously offered a cake bunting of the winner's choice + shipping! That's a value of up to $25! My friends, you won't be disappointed! 'Kiki La Ru' is one of my favourite shops... And Dawn is just as lovely as the buntings she creates! Head down below Dawn's interview to find out how to enter the giveaway!

{Shop}

{Shop Blog}

{Personal Blog}

Dawn has taken the time to answer a few questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"My day starts with doggy and husband kisses. Morning walk in nature with my dogs Boston and Kiki...while they play I take photos and let my mind wander to creative realms; I get most of my design inspirations while on our morning walk. Emails, cake bunting, trip to the post office, house chores. Evening walk with the dogs. My husband and I love love love good food, so usually I plan a nice big meal for when he comes back home from work. Every night we cuddle up on the couch and either watch a movie or a favorite tv series on dvd. I love the rhythm of an ordinary day! And I love my life."

What time of year most inspires you?
"I am inspired by whichever season it is at the moment. Though Autumn truly is my favorite."

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Hot chocolate and cinnamon toast."

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?
"New England for autumn and Christmas."

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"I hope and pray that God will bless us with healthy, happy children within the next 5 years. Other than that, my desires are pretty humble; I would like to use my cookbooks more often, be a good friend to the people I love, finish the children's book I've been working on, and learn how to not take things personal."

This giveaway runs from November 8th to 14th at 7pm (EST)... The winner will be chosen and announced on Sunday, November 14th

1. Visit 'Kiki La Ru', look around and choose your favourite digital design from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN!

In order to keep offering these fantastic giveaways, I need to get as many comments (and visits for the sponsors) as possible... Please help me spread the word so we can keep a good thing going!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Sunday, November 14th... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Dawn of 'Kiki La Ru'!

Giveaway {Minus One}

I'm excited to introduce Jennifer of 'Minus One'... I found her shop a few months ago and truly enjoyed her vintage pincushions! I'm not a sewer (not at all, sadly) but I thought one of these pincushions would make a great home for my earrings... What would you use one for? For this week's giveaway, Jennifer has offered a pincushion of the winner's choice + shipping! Thank you Jennifer!

{Shop}

Jennifer has taken the time to answer a few questions:

 What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?

"I work FT and have two young kids (7 and 2). So I am usually out the door by 8am and back home around 5:30. Kids go down between 7 and 8pm. After that, I can usually be found listening to a book on tape while sewing, knitting or playing with pliers and jump rings."

What time of year most inspires you?

"I love summertime. I find the wealth of sunshine relaxing - no rush to try to fit everything into a day."

What do you think of as comfort food?

"Sunday sauce! (Meatballs with OJ on Sunday mornings.)"

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?

"South of France. Oh yeah."

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?

"Learn Italian. Learn the cello. Visit my sister in law in Italy with my family. Redo the bathroom. Learn to sew dresses really, really well."

This giveaway runs from October 4th to 10th at 9pm (EST)... The winner will be chosen and announced on Monday, October 11th (as we will be away, celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving with family until Monday afternoon)

1. Visit 'Minus One' and choose your favourite PINCUSHIONS from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN!

Comments have been a bit down... In order to keep offering these fantastic giveaways, I need to get as many comments (and visits for the sponsors) as possible... Please help me spread the word so we can keep a good thing going friends!!!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Monday, October 11th... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Jennifer of 'Minus One'!

Giveaway {Leah Duncan}

We were supposed to be away this week... But due to some antibiotic-requiring illness in the family, we are staying put... I wasn't planning on a giveaway for today as I like to be around to promote them (Would love it if you could all help me spread the word so I can keep the giveaways comin')... When our plans fell through on Saturday night, I sent a quick message to one of my newest favourite shops, 'Leah Duncan' asking her, on very short notice, if she'd like to participate in a giveaway this week... Lovely Leah (isn't that a great name!) graciously stepped in! She is offering the winner's choice of one tea towel AND one print from her stunning shop + shipping... All of Leah's designs are original pen and ink drawings that she then scans and colours digitally! My favourite: The Rooster Tea Towel (hands down... I love it!) Enjoy friends!

{Shop}
{Web-site}
{Blog}
{Twitter}

Leah has taken the time to answer a few questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"On a perfectly ordinary day, I wake up and head downstairs to my studio where I answer emails and wrap my head around my schedule for the day. Then it's off to walk my pit mix Oslo down at the lake, through the park, or around my neighborhood. When we get back, I make a fresh cup of coffee, and get to work on whatever task may be on schedule first. Sometimes it's packaging etsy and wholesale orders, sometimes it's working on a commission, other times and more rarely than I hope for, it's working on something completely new for myself! I've found working for myself often makes my days much less routine. Sometimes I fit in a run or a trip to yoga class, other times I barely have time to shower and eat lunch. I stop working around 6 on quiet days and my husband generally makes dinner (I'm quite spoiled - he just started culinary school). After dinner we talk Oslo for his second walk for the day and then settle onto our sofa in the living room. Most nights including a Daily Show + Colbert Report duo."

What time of year most inspires you?
"Spring! I'm a southern girl and cold weather does not sit well with me. Spring is when everything starts to come alive, the world becomes more colorful, and most importantly I can change back into my cut off shorts and tank tops and start to prepare for the long hot summers we get here in Texas. I'm much more comfortable staving off sweat than shivering. Plus I really enjoy drawing flowers. : )"

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Shrimp and grits, although my favorite is to substitute the shrimp with scallops. Both of which can only trumped by my grandmother's southern cooking."

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go? "Around the world! Although lately I've been longing for Chile or Spain - something quaint."

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"Expand my wholesale line, license my surface patterns, hire my first employee, start a family, and eat lots of guacamole, because guacamole make me happy. : )"

This giveaway runs from August 2nd - 7nd at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'Leah Duncan' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN (Entries beyond the fifth comment will not be published)!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Leah of 'Leah Duncan'!

Giveaway {Indo Bay Textiles}

Every once in a while I come across a kindred spirit in the on-line world... I met Tania a few months ago when we were both participating in an on-line exhibit... We fast became friends and she approached me about taking part in one of my giveaways... Tania's shop, "Indo Bay" is lovely in every way (Just like she is)! Her work is simple and modern... And in a word, beautiful! Tania has SO generously offered $40 in shop credit for one fortunate winner! I know you will enjoy Tania and her shop, from sunny Florida, as much as I do!

{Shop}
{Blog}
{Twitter}

Tania has graciously taken the time to answer some questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"Always breakfast together with my family where we throw in a card game of "uno". Once my honey is off to the office & my little honey is off to school (or camp now)...watch out! I'm pushed full throttle ahead trying to somehow manage e-mails, orders, blog, product shots, photo editing, walking dogs, product designs, household chores, sewing, hand printing, promoting...I could go on and on. Hectic at times but I wouldn't change a thing! :)"

What time of year most inspires you?
"I can't say that one time of year inspires me more than another. I think what I love most is the anticipation & moods that different times of the year create. Spring & Summertime always inspire me with their hope of new beginnings, lovely vibrant colors, summertime get-aways, & stunning gardens. Living in Florida, the Fall & Winter is always welcomed with open arms bringing cooler temperatures, the anticipation of a new school year, warm colors, the magic of Halloween and the winter holidays! It's all just so lovely!"

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?
"This one was easy for me...the Greek island of Santorini! The architecture, the sun, the mountains, the people. It just oozes of beauty & screams, "take me there"!"

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Not very original but CHOCOLATE...yummy!"

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"1. continue growing my biz authentically
2. go on a great family trip outside of the U.S.
3. watch my 8 year old son grow into his pre-teen years, hopefully graciously...yikes!
4. learn something new that I had been too afraid to try
5. continue to be grateful for all the blessings in my life & laugh A LOT! :D"

This giveaway runs from June 19th - July 24th at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'Indo Bay Textiles' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN (Entries beyond the fifth comment will not be published)!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Tania of 'Indo Bay Textiles'!

Giveaway {A Alicia Accessories}

This week's lovely giveaway is sponsored by Anna of 'A Alicia Accessories' (all the way from London, England)... She has generously offered a Camelia Corsage, worth $25, plus worldwide shipping to one fortunate winner! The Camelia designs are 'handmade from gorgeous, light fairtrade organic cotton'... Pretty and eco-friendly... And they come in seven colours... Thank you so much Anna, for sharing you beautiful work with us!Anna has taken the time to answer a few questions:

What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"Most of my time is spent sewing, in my home studio, plus quite a bit of time spent on my laptop, answering emails and responding to orders. I usually try to get in a mix of making up orders and experimenting with new things - I'm already playing around with some knitting ideas for my autumn/winter collection!"

What time of year most inspires you?
"I know it's a cliche, but I love Christmas! Summer is great if you live in the countryside, or even better by the sea, but I live in London, so summer is just hot and sticky! I feel like the city really comes into its own in winter, when it's all sparkly and crisp on long dark evenings."

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Mashed potato"

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?
"Hawaii"

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"1. Continue building up my business
2. Have the time to on holiday!
3. Grow more veg on my balcony
4. Have more time to bake cakes
5. Adopt some kids (probably in the 5th year!)"

This giveaway runs from June 28th - July 3rd at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'A Alicia Accessories' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and thanks again to Anna of 'A Alicia Accessories'!

A Few of My Favourite {Etsy} Things... 'b.poetic'

Oh my... That's all I can say... The stunning designs of 'b.poetic'... J'adore!

Passing the Time... Circus Train

Circus Train 2010 Calendar from "Lisa Rupp Design"

Passing the Time... Frolic

Pink Mushroom Frolic Quilted 2010 Fabric Wall Calendar from "Lemon Tree Studio"

Baby Sweet Baby {Puppets}

My little Bren has always adored puppets, from the time she was VERY young... As the weather has gotten colder, I've had to pull out mittens, which she hated last winter... Now she's happy to put them on as she thinks they're puppets... Whatever works... Enjoy these adorable creations!Hand Puppet Animals from "inhabitat"

On the Farm Finger Puppets from "Nifty Kid Stuff"

Bunny Hand Puppet from "Candy's Corner"

Princess and Her Knight in Shining Armour Finger Puppets from "Stay Awake"

Finger Puppets from "Red Mush"

Easter Finger Puppets Tutorial from "The Purl Bee"

Nursery Rhymes {Blankets}

Pictures on the Fridge Baby Quilt from "The Red Pistachio"

Spring Garden Baby Blanket by "i luv sugar"

Farmers Market Cotton & Flannel Quilt from "Peanut Tree Designs"

Custom Orders by "Sew Fun" (Who is currently working on a custom quilt for our little one! Can't wait to see it!)

Freshcut Garden Baby Quilt from "Mini Mini"

Funky Tumbler Quilt from "Golden Gate Quilts"

Cuddly Blanket in Pink & Sage from "Three Red Apples"

Lake Side Summer from "Romeo & Juliet Designs"

Wee Three Birds Quilt from "The Bobbins Nest"

Morning Glory Crib Bedding Set from "Holly Chic"