Fabric-porn in the mail

Nice to get something fun in the mail today besides the usual bills. A bit of fabric-porn for me to lust over courtesy of Hancock's of Paducah.

Home Ec 101

Today I lament the fact that I never paid attention during Home Ec in high school. I was the girl who had safety pins hold the back of her skirt together during the "Fashion Show" because I couldn't get the zipper seated on the back of the skirt I made to model. Now, many years later, I've purchased a sewing machine and I mutter while trying to thread the bobbin and somehow, now, I think I'm going to be able to sew. Be proud of me...my sister, my daughter, my niece and I are all signed up for Sewing 101. Classes start in a few weeks. My dream...to make quilts. My Pinterest "Crafty Stuff to Do" board outgrew all the "Quilty Things I'm Going to Do" and I had to migrate all the quilty things to their own space. We even had to subdivide into "Fabric" because I'm now obsessed with becoming a fabric hoarder. I see how addiction starts. My first quilt: a circus-themed boy's quilt for a friend due in the Fall. Time is of the essence. My hope is that my sewing instructor is a stitch-master and can pull a rabbit out of his/her hat and transform me into a stellar seamstress by summer. I've already begun purchasing fabric for the quilt. My favorite so far:

{{Sigh}} I adore it and I've got a myriad of other coordinating fabrics already picked out and waiting as well as a simple pattern that I think even I can master. And I am amassing tools! An Olfa rotary cutter that, quite frankly, scares the poop out of me. I'm destined to lose a digit, I'm sure, or at least a cut requiring an e.r. visit because I attempted to wield the cutter like a ninja sword. A cutting mat designed for rotary cutters (because I'm sure my husband wouldn't like to see a 10 inch gash on our dining room table); one bitchin' seam ripper (which I think I'm going to buy a holster for since I'm sure I'll be using it frequently); and plenty of pins in various sizes, enough to compensate for those that end up on the floor and in the bottom of my foot. And I stalk...I stalk the quilting blogs, learning terms like "jelly roll", "fat quarter", "charm pack", and "layer cakes". Hell, all the terms make it sound like fun, patterns like "Flying Geese", "Dresden Plate", and "Cathedral Window". Spare moments find me with a set of headphones on, watching YouTube videos on making "quilt sandwiches" and "seam binding". Amazon now sees me coming and pops up a list of quilting books in the right margin for my perusing pleasure. They're kind enough to see how green I am and proffer "beginner's quilting" books (isn't keyword tracking on the internet a marvelous thing?) I'll document my progress, or lack of, as I go. I have quilts in mind for quite a few people and it's one thing I've wanted to do for years, but just never thought I was "crafty" enough to master. I'd love to be able to have a craft, any craft, that's mine and that I do well. I can't draw to save my soul and finishing any craft project takes an act of Congress..but this one, I really want to learn and learn well.

***CLOSED***Giveaway with a Twist: The Original Scrapbox

If you're any kind of crafter, maybe you've come across The Original Scrapbox on the internet. The Original Scrapbox is the company that makes The Workbox, a crafter's dream. For those of you who haven't seen it, you have no idea what you're missing. The Workbox is a workplace and storage solution for all your crafting needs. When open, The Workbox gives you a table to create your treasures as well as dozens of shelves, totes and pouches to store your crafting paraphernalia. It folds up neatly to look like a fine piece of furniture and is completely portable on wheels to allow you to easily move it by yourself. The Workbox comes in raised or beadboard panel styles in black or vanilla colors to match your decor; knotty adler available at an extra cost. The Workbox is the perfect craft solution for scrapbookers, quilters, beading, stampers, or just any crafter that wants an attractive and functional place to store their goodies.


Want to win one? The Original Scrapbox has generously decided to give one craft-lover their own Workbox valued at $1295. In order to qualify for the drawing, you need to enter and win one of the giveaways being hosted on this or 9 other blogs. Each of the 10 blogs participating will draw one winner on October 8, 2009. That person is then entered into a drawing with the other winners from each of the blogs to win The Workbox. That means if you win here, you have a 1 in 10 chance of landing The Workbox. The winner will be drawn by Rachelle from Rachelle's Writing Spot on October 12, 2009. The Original Scrapbox will then ship that winner their own Workbox, free of charge.

So entering this giveaway gives you a qualifying spot at winning the big Kahuna of Crafts but you won't walk away empty handed even if you're not the final winner. The Original Scrapbox is offering each qualifier their choice of either a ScrapMaBob (drink holder & wastebasket for your craft area)

or a Ribbon Box (a box to store your spools of ribbon).


Mandatory Entry

1)Visit The Original Scrapbox and find a favorite item besides The Workbox and tell me what it is and how much it costs. (1 entry, leave 1 comment).

Extra Credit make sure you've done the mandatory entry first!

1) Follow my blog (left sidebar) or take credit if you already do. (1 entry, leave 1 comment).

2) Become a fan of The Original Scrapbox on Facebook (1 entry, leave 1 comment with your Facebook name).

3) Spread the word via Twitter and this can be done daily. (1 entry, leave 1 comment daily with your tweet url).
Easy tweet you can use:

Giveaway from The Original Scrapbox; win a craft tool & qualify for a $1295 Workbox, a crafter's dream. Ends 10/8 http://tiny.cc/lpbF5

4) Spread the word via Facebook & make sure you add the $100 off shipping code 100WRITES. (2 entries, leave 2 comments with your Facebook name).

5) Blog it. It doesn't have to be long or wordy but it must link to The Original Scrapbox and this giveaway and include the 100WRITES shipping code to count. (5 entries, leave 5 comments with your post url).

6) Add the 100WRITES shipping code button to your blog sidebar. Just copy and paste the code in the below box in your blog's sidebar(5 entries, leave 5 comments with your blog url).



<center><a href="http://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c48/shel704/public-shel/220x220_Affiliate_Rachelle-jpg.jpg"/></a></center>


Official Rules:
Giveaway ends on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Open to residents of the US, Canada, UK and EU Countries too. Please leave a separate comment for each entry you are entitled to. You must leave me a way to contact you if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile. Due to the limited time constraints of this giveaway, anyone who does not leave an email address or have one visible in their profile will not be able to win the giveaway. I will use Random.org to draw the winner. Winner will be emailed by me right after the drawing and will have 24 hours to respond with their name, address, phone and choice of giveaway item (ScrapMaBob or Ribbon Box). This information will then be forwarded to Rachelle from Rachelle's Writing Spot for the final drawing for The Workbox on October 12, 2009.

If you want to have more chances to become a qualifier for The Workbox, enter at each of the 9 other participating blogs. Each blog has different entry requirements, make sure you read the rules when entering.

1) Make It and Love It

2) Rachelle's Writing Spot

3) Vanilla Joy

4) The Mommy Files

5) My Organized Chaos

6) Life as Lou

7) Priscilla Styles

8) Cricut Christmas

9) Capadia Designs

Remember if you don't win and want your own Workbox, you can always take advantage of the $100 off shipping code "100WRITES" if you decide to place an order.

**CLOSED**GIVEAWAY: Shannon's Custom Creations

I can't craft my way out of a box. I start out with the best intentions, but I am one of those unfortunate souls born without a craft (or a math) gene. But I adore anything handmade and have the utmost appreciation and awe of those that can make something gorgeous with their own two hands.

Enter Shannon's Custom Creations. Shannon's Custom Creations is a family-owned and operated company based in London, Ontario. Shannon is a stay-at-home mom of 3 who started out selling her wares via online classifieds. With a combination of precision machinery, good old-fashioned craftsmanship, and hand-painting, Shannon offers some awesome home decorations at unbeatable prices.



Shannon sent me these hand-painted letters for my daughter, Danielle. I had no idea what she was going to send me and when I opened the package all I could think of was "Wow, she's either a stalker or she's psychic!" She managed to match my daughter's room decor almost perfectly.



My daughter's room is done in a flower/butterfly theme and each letter has hand-painted flowers, butterflies, and cat-tails and is hung on a pink ribbon. I was impressed by the care and detail Shannon put into each individual letter. No two are exactly alike but they all compliment each other.

Not only can you choose any one of the great themes Shannon offers for your individual letters like Jungle Animals, Mighty Machines, or Princess Fairies (to name only a few), you can also further customize each design personally by picking your base color from the rainbow of choices offered as well as your favorite font from 15 different samples. Not into ribbons? Then choose the recessed pins option for a floating look. Each letter is finished with a durable clear coat to keep your creation looking beautiful for years.

Besides individual letters, Shannon also makes script names or words:


Or how about a custom sign for your house?



Best part is, one of you reading this is going to get a chance to win your favorite, free! Shannon has offered one lucky reader $50 credit to her online store. Right now, Shannon is having a grand-opening sale; everything is now 50% off her already reasonable prices. That's quite a deal.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Shannon's Custom Creations and tell me one thing you're going to buy with your $50 winnings or which one of the themes is your favorite? (1 entry, leave 1 comment).

Extra Credit:

1) Follow my blog (left sidebar) or take credit if you already do (1 entry, leave one comment.

2) Tweet the giveaway, can be done daily if you're feeling sassy (1 entry, leave one comment daily with your tweet url).

Easy tweet you can copy & paste:

Shannon's Custom Creations giveaway; deck out your decor. $50 to buy your favorite hand-painted happiness. Ends 8/9 http://454.me/oc146/

3) Blog it. It doesn't have to be long or wordy but link to the giveaway and Shannon's Custom Creations. (3 entries, leave 3 comments with your blog url).

Giveaway open to US & Canadian residents. Giveaway ends on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST. Make sure you leave separate comments for each individual entry you're due, I have poor math skills so you can't rely on me to credit your entries. Winner will be contacted by email for their information and will coordinate directly with Shannon's Custom Creations for fulfillment of their winnings. Please leave me a way to contact you if your email is not visible in your blogger profile. Winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email before I pull a do-over.

The Craft Gene

No matter how hard I've tried over the years, I still seem to lack a craft gene. I've tried, believe me..I've tried. I suppose I'm one of those people that's never going to be able to create something that people go "Oh wow, how cool". No, people who have witnessed my attempts go "WTF is that thing?" I've always been envious of all those etsy folks; I've got tons of esty sellers "favorited" and how I wish I could do what they do. I can't..it's just not happening. Along with that missing math gene that would enable me to balance my checkbook and figure out if I got ripped off on my paycheck again, I got gypped in the creative department.

Quilting, sewing, cross-stitch, beading...been there, done that. There's still a cross-stitch, unfinished, in my "craft cupboard" in the attic. I got frustrated and quit. A full library of "How to Sew" books. There's a box of beads up there, too. I know for a fact there's a full quilt kit, still sealed, in that cupboard. I hang on to these things hoping that gene just skipped a generation and my daughter inherited it. She's 12 now. I haven't seen it developing yet but she did draw one awesome picture.

She drew it at school and they published it in the Catholic newsletter. When I asked her the meaning behind it, she said it was for her older brother, Jared, who is gay. Her belief is that God loves everyone...gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, straight..and the ones that are persecuted for who they are will be the ones with the keys to the Kingdom. I was never so proud of her as I was that day. We've always been very open with her about who her brother is and what it means to be GLBT. She's seen what her brother has had to go through, being gay. It breaks her heart just like it does mine.

But she'll change the world, I do believe that. She is so much like me when I was her age. She's sensitive and loves animals. She's got a wicked sense of humor and she's damn smart for her age. She was my low-maintenance baby...rarely crying, never whining. My mother loved to baby-sit her because she never got into anything like her older brothers did. She's also quiet and shy like I was at her age except she's learned early how to speak up for herself..something I didn't learn until much later in life. And because she's normally quiet and reserved, when she does speak up...people listen. She told me that they were learning about sex education at school and the topic of homosexuality came up. She said that kids were laughing and that it upset her. After class was over, she went to the teacher and told her that it bothered her since she felt like they were laughing at her brother. So I think if she lacks the craft gene, I won't be too upset...she got the best of me in her anyway.