Sewing: Everyday Style Book Giveaway and Wilma Bag

Oh what fun it is to have a big, brand new bag! I was so thrilled when I was asked to be a part of the book tour for Lotta Jansdotter's Everyday Style because the book had been sitting in my cart for sometime, waiting for the release. I love Lotta's simple modern style and clean lines. And I was excited to do some sewing inspired by it.

There are so many great, versatile projects in this book! The book is organized by season and all of  the patterns work year round. That's such a bonus because I love it when I find a pattern I like and can iterate on it in every season by changing the fabrics and adding and subtracting layers. I'm especially excited about the a-line skirts in this book and can't wait to try one in a wool.

But in the meantime I've got lots of projects for others to tackle and a lot of places to be and a lot of shopping to do and lots of gifts to deliver by Christmas. So a giant bag is the perfect solution. This Wilma Tote meets the challenge of December easily. I love it in this bold cotton canvas from IKEA with some of Lotta's cat quilting cotton from her Lucky collection for Windham for the lining.

 

This project sewed up simply and quickly despite my scatter brained state. It will be such a pleasure to some some more after the holidays. 

Maybe this book is just what you need for the holidays! One of my readers will win Everyday Style, one of Lotta's fat quarters, Lotta's temporary tatoos, and Lotta washi tape. For a chance to win this great package enter here by December 23rd. A random winner will be selected!

a Rafflecopter giveaway And check out the rest of the tour for more inspirational sewing and chances to win.

Dec 1 – Lotta

Dec 2 – STC Craft

Dec 3 – Windham 

Dec 4 –  Noodlehead

Dec 7 – Modern Handcraft

Dec 8 – Sew Scatterbrained

Dec 9 – Crimson Tate [you are here]

Dec 11 – Groovy Baby & Mama

Dec 14 – City Stitching with Christine Haynes

Dec 15 – Craft Sanity

Dec 16 – Aesthetic Nest

Dec 17 – Sew Mama Sew

Dec 18 – Lish Dorset

Dec 19 – Fancy Tiger Crafts

Sewing and Giveaway: Uncommon Goods for Fall (win $75 to shop)

This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods, but all opinions and selections are mine. Uncommon Goods has provided a $75 gift credit giveaway to one of my readers! See the end of this post to enter.

We are so finicky, aren't we? Always anxious for the next season.... I was so happy to have a sunny summer but now I can't wait for the cool breezes of Fall.

So even though it's still warm outside I am getting ready! I'm looking through my stash of Fall fabrics and thinking about some handmade wardrobe items for myself and my girls. I'm looking online for fun Fall accessories. And I'm dreaming of a woodsy cabin where we can cozy up by a fire.

I sewed this maxi skirt from some crepe de chine chevron fabric I'd stashed away last Spring. I found it in a remnant bin! I wasn't quite sure what to do with such an oversized print (though I loved the colors) until I looked at the chevrons sideways and it suddenly looked right on for the tribal trend.

I didn't follow a pattern for the skirt. I cut half my waist circumference, marked the length and then drew the hem in an arc as wide as my 60" fabric allowed. It's probably a "half circle" maxi skirt.

I added a lining, which I hemmed separately, and sewed them together with 2" elastic for the waistband. It was really simple to sew, but I'd be happy to do a tutorial if you'd like.

I would love to wear this skirt with some trendy new jewelry for Fall. I picked some of my favorite things from Uncommon Goods inspired by the outdoors and natural materials.

1. A Mixed Metal Bar necklace would be a fun break from the collar/bib style, and would work nicely over a sweater: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/mixed-metals-bar-necklace
2. Speaking of mixed metals, I'm really into gold and brass this Fall. I would wear this Chunky Gold Heart Necklace all the time: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/chunky-gold-heart-necklace
3. These Stone Sea Glass earrings are my favorite shade of blue: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/2-stone-sea-glass-stud-earrings
4. I could imagine putting the location of my favorite place in the woods on this Custom Map Bracelet: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/custom-map-bracelet
5. This Trinity Wooden cuff would look fabulous with a rolled-sleeve denim shirt: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/trinity-wooden-cuff\
6. I would love to dangle this handcast (from the real thing) Blue Pinecone necklace around my neck this Fall: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/blue-pinecone-necklace

Do you know Uncommon Goods? Not only do they have a great selection of handmade jewelry (see here) and other unique (uncommon) products, but they are genuinely focused on sustainability. Part of their company mission (which you can read about here) is make certain they are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and an ever-more rewarding place to work. It's an approach to be admired, and one I hope becomes less and less uncommon.

You should check out their great selection of gifts for women, which is conveniently categorized here. It's never to early to get ideas for the holidays, or perhaps you want to treat yourself for getting the kids successfully back to school!

1. I've always wanted one of these Hand Embroidered State pillows to throw on the couch in my some-day cabin: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/hand-embroidered-state-pillows
2. Next to that couch will be a side table with a clever bowl for snacks, such as this Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag (we tend to be hungrier in the colder months): http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/unzipped-glass-zipper-bag
3. I wish I could put an agate wall with backlighting in my cabin bathroom but these Agate Coasters might satisfy my craving for semi-precious stone: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/agate-coasters-set-of-4
4. Cabin or not, this individually thrown Make Waves Yarn Bowl, is just the thing for curling up on the couch with some knitting this Fall: http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/make-waves-yarn-bowl

Have you already spent the $75 credit in your mind? Enter the Uncommon Goods giveaway right here!


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Review and Giveaway: Minted Art Marketplace

I have long loved Minted for their great holiday card designs printed on high quality paper. I think they were the first to raise the bar for custom cards and they continue innovating (did you see all the cute custom printed return addresses last holiday season?). But their Art Marketplace is new to me. Maybe to you too? They asked me to take a look and consider a giveaway for my readers. In the time it took the browser to load the Minted Art Marketplace I was certain this was something I wanted to share! So read on for a chance to win a $50 credit towards some new art for your walls.

I started by applying some filters to the art I was being shown. I loaded "more filters" and picked "landscape" for the style and "blue" for the color. Because isn't a blue toned landscape just what we need in the middle of a hot summer?

This pulled up a bunch of beauties, including some of my favorites, "Beauty Reflects Beauty," "Big Sky Country," "Water Levels," and "Mid-Summertime."

While viewing an individual piece of art the Minted Art Marketplace makes it possible to preview different frame styles. I prefer the simple frames: Flat face in natural wood or black or white painted wood. 

You can also select a size to print. As small as 5"x7" and as large at 44"x60". Cool! I'd love a giant print on my wall! All the art prints are limited edition and printed on acid free or archival paper with premium inks so the reproductions will remain vibrant. 

Sometimes it's difficult to visualize the scale of one of these sizes so Minted has provided an "Art Print Sizes" tab with pictures of a model holding the print in all the different sizes. How great is that? They also show some suggested art groupings in a room environment so you can imagine how it might fit into your space.

Similar to their approach with greeting cards, Minted has curated this original art from independent artists from all over the United States. I love access to such a broad range of talent, and the idea that my purchase will support a creative individual.

I'm a huge fan of original art work, but one-of-a-kind works are often out of reach. This limited edition approach from fresh artists is a great way to add some beautiful work to your walls.

Are you convinced? Check out Minted Art Marketplace to find something that speaks to you.

And enter to win a $50 credit right here!

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FYI: I'm in the New Fat Quarters Book (Giveaway)

Hi Friends. It was a very happy mail day when this book arrived in my box. Fat Quarters: Small Fabrics, More Than 50 Big Ideas is a fantastic book, which lives up to it's title. There are so many great project ideas in here! And I'm giving one away so be sure to scroll down and enter.

Not only was I thrilled to have a copy of this book for my own sewing scheming, but it's the second book to which I've contributed a project! It's so exciting to see my work in print. I have two projects in the Babies & Kids section: My Child's Fat Quarter Reversible Apron

And a little baby dress made entirely of fat quarters.

I had so much fun developing these projects (over a year ago) and I hope others will enjoy sewing them too.

This sweet dress has a vintage vibe, which I love for babies, but it could be modern colorblock too. 

The apron lends itself to all sorts of creative possibilites, especially given the pom pom trim. I love giving these as birthday gifts.

And just wait until you see all the other projects! This book will spur a whole new fat quarter binge.

Would you like a copy of Fat Quarters: Small Fabrics, More Than 50 Big Ideas for your very own? You can enter in the widget below.

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Sewing: Circa 52 Game Day Jersey Tee (Fabric Giveaway)

Birch Fabrics asked me to participate in the blog hop for Circa 52 fabric collection from Monaluna and I was immediately on board. But when I received these organic knits in the mail I was in love. (You can get some too--enter the giveaway below.)

The color palette is as soft as the organic cotton. And I love the faux bois trees and little birds in the "Tree Stripes" print.  

Tess always picks yellow, grey and white knits out of her drawer so I thought sewing a Game Day Jersey Tee and matching skirt with Circa 52 would win her over. As soon as the calendar turns over I want to wear colors that lean more towards Spring but are still cozy. Add leggings and boots or a cardigan and this outfit is just the thing to get her to Spring. 

Plus it matches the landscape so nicely.

 You'll have to check out the other great projects that are part of the Circa 52 blog hop:

Monday 1/26: Caroline from Sew Can She

Tuesday 1/27: Heidi from Fabric Mutt

Wednesday 1/28: Anneliese from Aesthetic Nest

Thursday 1/29: Melissa from Lunden Designs

Friday 1/30: Melissa from Brindille &Twig

Monday 2/2: Marte from Companie M.

And enter to win a yard of each of the cute Circa 52 fabrics!

Circa 52 Blog Hop Giveaway!

Good luck!

Giveaway: Cricut Explore from Design Space Star Team 12

Happy Labor Day, friends! If you are in the U.S. and celebrating this holiday today I've got another reason for you to celebrate: we're giving away a Cricut Explore™ this week! 

My friends and I on the Cricut Design Space Start Team 12 have been busily working with these great machines to create some fun and seasonal projects to inspire you. 

Cricut Design Space Star Team 12: (left to right) 

Three Little Monkeys Studio | Gifting Sweet | Small for Big
The Celebration Shoppe | Clever Pink Pirate
The Road to The Good Life | Legal Miss Sunshine
Little Retreats | Flamingo Toes | Aesthetic Nest

Did you see my Summer Forever t-shirt tutorial for the Cricut Explore™? I have been wanting to use the this machine to cut out my own designs for some time and I keep thinking of other great ways to use it. If you have one, or if you've been wanting one, you should check out all the great projects from all the teams in the Cricut Design Space Star competition.

My team, Team 12, came up with some great stuff last round and Gretchen's project, some surfboard-inspired wood veneer earrings, is in the final ten! You can vote for her project here.

Cricut also has a great bundle promotion going now for those of you who have been waiting for a good deal to purchase a machine:  the Cricut Explore® machine  is now available with the Cricut Iron-On Bundle. I used some black glitter iron on vinyl for my Summer Forever t-shirt and have some other colors on hand to experiment with. It's great stuff.

But don't forget to enter the giveaway! Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. (Open to U.S. Residents)

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Good luck!

This post contains affiliate links. Cricut sent me a Cricut Explore and invited me to participate in their Design Space Star competition. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Giveaway: Charley Harper Bateau Neck Dress Kit

I worked with Birch Fabrics to produce a hotpad tutorial with their Elk Grove decor line earlier this year and at the time I spied a preview of their Charley Harper fabrics. I was smitten! Couldn't wait to get my hands on them--especially the knits because I was all about knits for a couple months there! I love Charley Harper's bird and bug drawings with their color fields and modern lines. What a great thing to apply them to fabrics. So I was thrilled with Birch Fabrics asked me to sew a sample for Quilt Market with a Charley Harper knit.

I picked my Bateau Neck Dress--the elastic waist variation with the traditional three-quarter length sleeves and Charley Harper "Twigs" in tomato. I had been wanting to make this dress in a Fall/Winter version. I think it's cute with boots and a faux fur vest. Looks a bit like Christmas. (Wish I could take credit for that vest but it was a purchase last year.)

While I didn't get to go to Quilt Market it was fun to think of this little number hanging there. And even more fun? I'm teaming with Birch Fabrics to giveaway a kit so one of you can make your own Charley Harper Bateau Neck Dress! 

Just enter below between now and December 23 and after the holidays one of you will receive:

• 2 yards of Charley Harper Knit Fabric (enough to make this dress with a bit to spare!)
• The Bateau Neck Top sewing pattern
• The Bateau Neck Dress sewing pattern extension

Multiple entries are accepted. Good luck!

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Giveaway: Sucré Macarons

Starting your holiday shopping? Or at least starting your shopping list? I'm trying... In the meantime I have a giveaway that might just help you check something off your list!

Sucré, a beautiful shop in new Orleans, is offering one of my readers in the U.S. their fifteen piece Signature Macaron Collection. Yum!

I love French macarons with their almond pastry and sweet fillings! For what it's worth, I love the coconut variety too. But these are the ultimate sweet thing, aren't they? And so beautiful.

Sucré was kind enough to send me a selection of these goodies so I could give a firsthand report. Yep: delicious! The girls thought so too.

In addition to French macarons, Sucré offers artisan chocolate bars, Big Awesome Cookies, toffee, gourmet drinking chocolate, homemade marshmallows & southern candied pecans. I really wish I could drop in personally. They also offer King Cakes, which are sold every year from King's Day (January 6) to Mardi Gras. I've never tried one. Have you? Sounds like a great way to lift spirits post-holiday. 

Tempted? Click on the Rafflecopter widget below to enter by leaving a comment. The giveaway will end next Tuesday, November 26, and the winner will be announced here. Good luck! (this giveaway is only open to residents of the U.S..)
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