inkstitch

and the winner is....

Awww. This is so sweet. The coordinating pillow is a lovely touch. My daughter's doll, Lula, would love it! Thanks for entering me in this generous offer.

Posted by: Beth | December 04, 2008 at 07:24 PM

Beth, please email me using the link at left.  My girls had fun reading all the comments and then drawing one from the pot, the old fashioned way.  I hope Lula and her "mum" love it!  Thanks for playing, and thanks so much, all of you, for stopping by.  Giveaway Day was so much fun, and I intend to do more of them, so please do come back -- or better yet, subscribe!  :)

Giveaway Day (at last!)

Nothing pulls a gal out of a blog break better than playtime!  I've been busy making and doing and living, but not blogging -- nevertheless, I still visit craft blogs when I can (it's an addiction) and when I saw everybody's giveaway goodness all around the blogosphere yesterday, I couldn't resist joining, even late.  --  But then, of course, Typepad wasn't co-operating and ate two of my posts.  Gads.  But here I am at last, with a lovely little giveaway!

This little dolly quilt and matching pillow are made from 100% cotton and are machine washable for lots of carefree mommying.  The quilt measures approximately 12" x 15" and the pair will be shipped to whichever lucky commenter is drawn from the pot.  Since we got a late start, I will leave my comments open until midnight Friday before choosing, so please spread the word!  If you mention me on your blog, email me and I'll enter you twice.  Yes, Dona, Bridget, Kimberly... you can enter if you like, too! 

Click back Saturday morning to see if you have won!  See a full list of fantastic giveaways here.

PS: The comments from the previous post, which were left for Giveaway Day WILL be added to the drawing.  Thanks so much for visiting and for patience!  :)

one package sent

There has actually been no lack of creativity here, but as I've mentioned, there has been a real lack of spare time.  So there are many packages and promises I am behind on.  Here, one gets checked off the list, Wahoo!  The delightful and incredibly talented tania did some illustrations for a project I've been working on, and I promised her a set of her own stamps once I got the finished product.  Here is her package at last... I added a few small surprises: a card made with her own stamps + papers designed by myself, a stack of pretty papers (some also designed by me -- now you know where the time is going!) and a bag of buttons, all packed up in a sweet old stationary box found thrifting.  The stamps are too cute; some of the most charming art I have ever seen!  Thanks so much, Tania!

On the table tonight: Veggie pizza

sending is as fun as receiving

Rain feels so good after a drought.  Having spent a few (several) days in a slump, I finally pulled out today and actually spent time at my sewing machine.  Actually, that should read: I finally spent some time at my sewing machine, and actually pulled out, because it is more often the creativity that solves the slump, not the slump's disappearance that makes way for the creativity.  Whew, I think that sentence just wore me out.  But before I go lie down (ha!), a peek at some fun mail.  This is meant to be a craft blog, after all. 

Is not the creation of fun mail the most satisfying thing ever?  The only thing that could possibly make it better would be to be present at that moment when the intended friend receives her mail, pulling it from the pile of white envelopes and shiny advertisements, turning it over slowly, thinking, What is this?  And if it is unexpected?  (Glee!)  Even better.  For myself, the simple pleasure of fun mail is great, and I practically get giddy thinking of giving that moment to a friend.  The fact that it lifts me up and uses a bit of the stash is a serendipitous bonus. 
Remember my friend from a few posts ago, for whom I found a few beads?  In Portland I found a few more, and today I made a little pouch for them to arrive in.  I couldn't resist.

My favorite part is that splendid button!

And here is another peek, of something for another day:

On the table tonight: vegetable beef stew

pink repurposed

Remember this? 

It has now become this:
For a child who loves to dress up.  Everyday, within moments of coming in the door, she has put on an ensemble similar to this.  The flowy, silky fabric of the dress was perfect for her to feel lovely in.  It also became several of these:
And (hurray!) I am almost finished with these:
I am ever-so-slowly closing the gap between me and feeling caught up on projects that I owe to people.  Now if only I could get off  the computer!  I have only had a blog for a few posts, but already I know I need to join Blair in a Free Friday!

On the table tonight: pizza

fabric postcards

I joined this group before Christmas.  Christmas was utterly overloaded with projects (more on that later), but I did manage to do these as a displacement activity.  Of course, being my very first swaps of any sort I signed up for way too many and got behind -- January seemed so far away! --  but now I am catching back up, having set new "rules" to babysit myself and guard against over-commitment!  Really, if I could just have a day or two a week off of my day job, I could fit in all this sewing so much better....

Mini-Swappers

I am behind on too many things, so I had to resist this postcard swap, which I am sad to have missed, but the small people at my house are so excited about this Mini-Swap!  I have swapped fabric postcards (the little addiction that first got me looking at all the wonderful sewing, quilting, art and craft blogs), but this will be our (my) first swap of goods, and we are buzzing.  We are happy to be partnered with another house with lots of little swappers, like us.  Thanks Molly, for organizing.  Now if only I had a clue about Flickr!

PS:  Soon, I promise, more sewing/fabric/craft/project content.  I never realized how very many projects leave my house without a trace.  I really have to start photographing things!  Also looking forward to SPT, Corners of My Home, Illustration Friday... oh goodness!

On the table tonight: beef stroganoff