Dove® VisibleCare© Review

This is a sponsored post for BlogHer and Dove, but the opinions are all mine. 

I've been a busy girl for the last seven months or so.  Down in the dirt, working with my hands busy.  I looked at my hands after finishing up laying tile the other day, and realized how hard it's been on me physically to help build our home.

I was offered the chance to review Dove®'s new VisibleCare© body wash, and I jumped at the chance to use a product that could be part of my daily routine.

Shutterfly Christmas Cards + Giveaway for you!

I have a confession.  I usually don't send out Christmas cards.  I love receiving my friend's cards...but it just seems to be one of those things not on my radar until it's too late.  Not this year!

Shutterfly has generously offered to let me sample their lovely cards, and also share a giveaway of 25 Holiday Cards for 3 readers!  Are you getting excited?  Click HERE for your chance to win!

::Birthday Surprises:: Banner for your Wreath Giveaway! NOW CLOSED

I have had so much fun making banners for my wreath. You've seen my different versions for different seasons of the year:

::Birthday Surprises:: Shabby Apple Giveaway!

My husband and I both celebrate our birthdays this week. As it's close to the anniversary of my blog, as well, I thought some giveaways were in order.

Shabby Apple has graciously offered to give another beautiful dress to a reader!




Click on over to my review blog HERE for a chance to win the beautiful Lighthouse Dress!

Please note, no comments on this post will be entered, you must comment on the review post HERE.

Kilz Clean Start Primer and a Giveaway---CLOSED!

I was contacted a month ago to see if I'd be willing to try Kilz Clean Start Primer...and giveaway a starter kit to one of my readers.  It took me about 5 seconds to say, yes please!  (Please know this review is my honest opinion, and all words are my own.  I was not compensated beyond receiving the primer to use.)

Congrats to the winners!

I just ran the numbers...

Winner #1 is :

 You've won a set of Symbols of Christmas Ornaments. 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winner #2 is:

You've won a copy of my Symbols of Christmas pattern. 

Thank you so much to each of you for entering.  It was fun to hear each of you favorite gifts.  Quilts seem to be the hands-down favorite.  I was touched by so many who personalized their gifts for loved ones.

I'll email the pattern tomorrow, and the ornaments will mail out on Monday.

Merry Christmas!

Giveaway Day with Sew Mama Sew

I love to give gifts at Christmas.  It is so fun to watch someone's eyes light up and see what you gave them.  So, how could I not join in with Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day?

I'll be giving away two prizes.  First, a  set of Symbols of Christmas ornaments and keepsake bag, along with laminated explanation to one lucky winner.  (The ornaments will look a lot like this:)

Second, and a free Symbols of Christmas sewing pattern to make as many sets of ornaments as you'd like.  I wish I could see your smile when you win!   Please know how thankful I am to each of my readers!

Entry is simple.  Leave a comment telling me the most favorite gift you've given.  If your email isn't linked to your profile, leave an email so I can notify the winners.  One entry per person, please.  I'll pick two winners via random.org and announce them here on my blog December 17.  So, you have until 6pm MST on December 17 to enter.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

(Here's some of the ornaments on our Christmas tree. We hung them up yesterday and discussed each symbol's meaning with our children.)

Giveaway at Creation Corner

Just a quick note.  Tasha at Creation Corner has done a fun review of my new Symbols of Christmas Pattern, and is giving away a pattern to one of her readers.  Hop on over and enter.  She does a great job explaining the difference between the tutorial I created and the new pattern.  Just look how cute her ornaments turned out:

image via Creation Corner

Contributing to Tasha's Handmade Christmas series was such a blessing.  It gave me the motivation to create the ornaments, and I hope you'll stop by. 

Symbols of Christmas Giveaways

I know...three posts in one day. It's a record. Just wanted to let you know that I am giving away copies of my pattern and two sets of ready made ornaments. For a chance to win, visit:


Sherbet Blossom and Twelve Crafts Till Christmas.

Hannah, at Sherbet Blossom, was one of my first followers and has been a sweet blogging support.  It's also her birthday coming up.   She is an amazing graphic artist, with a great eye for beauty.





Elizabeth from Twelve Crafts is another blogging friend and support.  She edited the PDF pattern, and we were both excited that the Symbols of Christmas dovetailed perfectly with her Christmas Traditions Series.





Please take a second to visit these wonderful ladies.  I know I am so appreciative of them both.

Sewing 101 Giveway Winner!

Congratulations, #80!  You're the winner of the Sewing 101 Giveaway, thanks to random.org.  

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 113 Result: 80  

Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Lisa 

You are the lucky winner, my dear.  Please email me :: burleyaudio (at) gmail (dot)com:: asap so we can arrange shipping these fun things to you.  

Thank you everyone who entered.  I've never had so many comments at one time.  You said so many kind things, I am humbled and tickled all wrapped into one. 

Stay tuned for more craft ideas, more family fun and creativity, and more tutorials in the future.  

Hugs to each of you!

Sewing 101 Giveaway

::Giveaway is now closed.  THANK YOU for entering!::
I wanted to do this during July, but life got really crazy for my family.  So, how about a giveaway now?

Up for grabs, some fun sewing supplies to get you beginning sewists ready to go.

I've put in lots of fun little items so you can start a few different projects.  First of all, fabric from my stash.  A fun turquoise fat quarter from Moda, and two Joel Dewberry prints, about 1/2 yard each.  I'm including a vintage pillowcase that was embroidered by some relative in my family, (obviously not a close one) that would make a fun nightgown using Gingercakes' tutorial.  Three different bias strips hand-made by me.  One is the extra from an SYTYC project, the black check would make an awesome birthday banner, and some Anna Maria Horner bias just because I am so glad you guys read my stuff! Also included, a couple zippers that would make the  beginnings of some awesome Noodlehead gathered clutches, 3 sets of alligator clips and felt so you can make some ruffle clippies or simple bow clippies, and some of my must have sewing notions...a seam ripper, disappearing ink pen, and fray check.  Oh, and I threw in some gold ricrac from my great-grandmother's stash, just because it looked really cool.  

Here are some close-ups of the loot:

Just a little way to say thank you for reading my ramblings, and wanting to express your creativity.  Really, that's the whole point of my blog.  I share things in the hope of inspiring you to develop YOUR creativity. It's in there, you just have to find what avenues work for you. 

To win, you simply need to comment, one per person please.  The contest will end August 14 at 8pm MST.

Be sure to keep checking the Sewing 101 archive.  I will continue to have monthly guests each first Saturday, and will keep adding to this post when I find great info on other sites.


Linked to Someday Crafts Giveaway Directory.

Why I need a serger

Sew Mama Sew is having a spectacular giveaway.  A Husqvarna Viking Serger is on the line.  The question is...how would a serger make my life better?

Let me count the ways:
1.  Finishing seams would be MUCH faster.
2.  I would finally feel brave enough to try my hand at knits...t-shirts, leggings, maybe even swimsuits like Dana. 
3.  With cool features like differential feed and optional presser feet, I can sew a variety of fabrics and add interesting decorative details.
4.  Two words:  Rolled Hems.
5.  I'd be able to make my etsy shop more profitable.  Time=money.
6.  I can stop lurking around ebay for a used serger.  I watch them, but really, I'm too chicken to purchase something that expensive without a warranty and customer support. 
7.  I'd have a real excuse to carve out my own sewing space...and to buy a bigger house next time!
8.  I won't have to borrow my friend's serger to customize my baby's prefold diapers.
9.  I would be brave enough to make my kids underwear like Anna.  (It bothers me to no end how expensive it is to buy underpants! Come on, it's just a little bit of fabric!)
10. Complete sewing freedom would be at my fingers, and I wouldn't have to work my beloved Bernina as hard. 

I probably won't win, but someday in the distant future, I will have a serger.  I will. I WILL.  Until then, the two year old part of me that wants instant gratification will look like this:

Summertime Romper Giveaway

Giveaway now closed...thanks for entering!

Hello dear readers.

As a thank you for all your support, and by way of celebrating a year (wow!) of blogging, and reaching over 200 followers, I'm giving you the opportunity to win this:

This romper was my first mock-up for the Summertime Romper.  It's a size 18-24 months, and is made with a soft cotton Madras plaid.  I love this fabric, and love the bias cut stripeys even more.  

Rules are simple, just leave a comment.  If your email isn't linked to your profile, please include it so I can contact you if you are the lucky winner.  The giveaway starts now and will end June 7, 2010 at 8 am MST.

I'd love it if you'd spread the word, but there won't be extra entries for doing so...too hard for my tired brain to figure out.  Good luck and again, thank you.

Linked up to Someday Crafts Giveaway Directory.

Congratulations to...

Thank you to everyone who entered!  The first winner is:

 


BuzzMyBlog Contest Winner Picker

Random Entry Selected:	9
Odds of Winning:	2 in 19
Entry Data:	2,Julie

Powered by BuzzMyBlog.com

 She will receive the ready made Buster Baby Bib. 

The second winner is:

BuzzMyBlog Contest Winner Picker

Random Entry Selected:	8
Odds of Winning:	2 in 19
Entry Data:	2,Marcy

Powered by BuzzMyBlog.com

 

She will receive a free PDF Buster Baby Bib Sewing Pattern.
Marcy, I'll need your email address to get you your prize.  Email me at burleyaudio@gmail.com.  Julie, I'll send you an email soon to get shipping info.  
Again, thank you all so much for entering, and your support.  We got to 45 followers, so if you keep spreading the word, and we reach 50, I will share a fun free pattern with you all! 

Ready for another Giveaway?

So, after the holidays, I haven't been sewing as much because I am back in my last doctoral class.  However, we are on  break for the next 10 days, and that has allowed me to finally put together my latest pattern:

Meet the Buster Bib.  As in mess buster.  I designed this bib over the holidays and made a couple for my niece.  I finally had the time to put together the pattern the last couple of days.  So, in order to get the word out, I'm going to have another giveaway.  (So fun!!)
The giveaway will begin on Thursday, January 21st and end on Sunday January 25th at midnight.  There will be two prizes, one for a PDF pattern, and one for a bib like this:

This the perfect pattern for anyone wanting to learn how to quilt.  It is small enough that it doesn't take a huge investment in fabric, but gives you experience with curves and 90 degree angles.  I have been frustrated in learning how to do simple quilting with a sewing machine without any fancy attachments or a walking foot.  So, all the tips and tricks I've learned, I'll share with you.  The pattern allows you lots of freedom to be creative, but gives you step by step instructions on all the basics of quilting including how to make your binding, how to quilt on a regular sewing machine, and the easiest way to finish off a binding.  Once you get the basics down, these bibs can be made in 2-3 hours.  The Buster Bib would make a wonderful heirloom baby gift.

To enter, you'll need to leave a comment on the giveaway post.  You can earn an extra entry if you blog about the giveaway.  Just leave a separate comment to let me know.  I'm so excited!   We'll see you back on Thursday...and bring a friend.

And the winner is...

Thanks again to all who entered, and to AllModern.com for sponsoring.  The winner is
#88, socmama  via random.org.
I'll be emailing the winner shortly. 

Happy New Years, and a Giveaway ---NOW CLOSED

Thank you to all who entered the giveaway!  It's now closed

Happy New Year to each of you!  I hope that it brings all the happy things you need in each of your lives.  It may be something simple, it may be love or joy or health...or maybe something huge.  Whatever it does bring, joys or sorrows, I hope you see the how of happiness through it all.

For a fabulous start to 2010, I have been offered a great opportunity through All Modern  (they have a whole host of other shops too including beautiful dining room furniture ) for one of you to win an item of your choice up to $45.  Just leave a comment here (one per person please), and on Jan 6 (my son's birthday) a winner will be chosen through the random number generator.

Please know that I am not affiliated with All Modern or CSN stores, and I am not receiving any remuneration for this giveaway.  Good luck!

And the Winners are...

First off, I have to thank each of you for entering my little contest.  Your sweet comments have been so fun to read.  I hope you stop back often to find more inspiration for your own creations.  Now to the "BIG NEWS"!

Congratulations to Grace Wong, winner of the Clementine Girl's Purse and to Kristen, winner of a free PDF pattern to make the Clementine Girl's Purse.  I will be emailing you for specifics on where to mail or email your prizes.

To the rest of you, I now have the pattern available for sale in my Shop, for an introductory price of only $5.  That's a great deal for a 13 page full color PDF instruction book, and 3 pages of full size pattern pieces.  I will also have a couple "ready made" purses for sale as well. 

Thanks again for all your interest! 

Clementine Girl's Purse Giveaway

The Giveaway is now closed.  Thank you for entering. 

Welcome!!!  I am so excited to present my first major pattern-- the Clementine Girl's Purse. Allow me to give a little background. I have this adorable niece who needed a Christmas gift.  Her mama suggested a diaper bag for the new dolly Santa might be bringing.  I decided to create something that her very stylish mama wouldn't mind carrying around.  So, I sat down last Thursday while the family watched Survivor, and sketched out some ideas.  I was so excited I sewed up two different muslin mock-ups that very night, and made the first from a full-sized pattern Saturday.  I was partly inspired by the gathered patch pocket tutorial from Made By Rae, and so named the purse after her daughter.

Some stats on the purse itself:
Finished dimensions are 8" by 10", 2.5" deep.  Advanced beginning to intermediate sewing skills will be needed. 

I've made a very detailed PDF pattern with LOTS of pictures, which will be available starting Monday in my new etsy store.  Introductory price...$5!!!

So, now to what you've all been waiting for....
the GIVEAWAY!!!!

The rules are simple.  Leave a comment on this post, with you email address if it is not linked to your profile.  I will select TWO lucky winners via random integer.  One will randomly win a purse I've created, the other will receive a free copy of the Clementine Girl's Purse Pattern.  You have until Sunday, November 22 at 12 midnight MST to enter.  One comment per person, please.  I will announce the winners here, Monday November 23, at 7am MST.  I will then contact the winners via email to get shipping information. 

Now, don't let this be the only time you visit my blog.  I have more free patterns to share, and more things to show off as Christmas gets near.  I LOVE to play Mrs. Santa Claus, don't you?


Best wishes to all of you, and THANK YOU  for visiting!



P.S. There is a special little boy and girl who need lots of support right now. There's a button towards the bottom of my blog. Go and see what you might be able to do!

Exciting News and a Giveaway!

Hello!
Sorry it's been a little while since my last post...we had major internet issues! So, I'm delayed a little bit in posting this, but I am announcing the first giveaway on my blog. I have a sweet niece who needed a fun Christmas present. Her mom suggested a dolly diaper bag, and it's developed into this:

I'm calling it the Clementine Girl's Purse.

So, tell all your friends Friday I will having TWO giveaways...one for a ready made purse, and one for the pattern.  All you'll have to do to enter is leave a comment starting FRIDAY on the giveaway post.  I am in the process of setting up shop, and will be selling the patterns as a PDF for $5 each, starting Monday November 23.  This is the perfect "sew up in an afternoon" gift idea for that special girl in your life!