Announcing the giveaway winner{s}!!

Thank you all for entering for a chance to win the latest issue of Where Women Create! And, thank you as well for all the super nice comments, which are very encouraging and much appreciated.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

27

Timestamp: 2015-06-01 15:33:25 UTC

The winner is:   jderouin55    
Congratulations!!  Please send me an email with your mailing address so I can get your magazine issue sent right out.

Getting caught up in the giveaway spirit, I also decided to choose a runner-up to win a vintage book cover journal...that winner is Josephine's Girl.  Please send me an email with your mailing address, and I will be happy to send this journal on its way to you.

Thank you again everyone!

Deb

Where Women Create Magazine Giveway

My sincerest apologies for not being back here the end of last week with a giveaway, as promised.  I kept meaning to fit it in, but instead I got carried away working on journals, launching a new shop website, mowing and trimming trees, shrubs, and blackberries on our property, and enjoying a Memorial Day picnic and flea market.  It was a great weekend, but now that life has settled back to normal I am happy to announce the giveway ~ an issue of the latest Where Women Create magazine.  Jo Packham, Creator & Editor-in-Chief, has kindly sent me a copy to give to one of you.  

It is an honor for me to be included in this May/June/July issue.  Jo Packham, besides a creative genius, is an absolute pleasure to work with, going out of her way to be kind and helpful.   The current issue features the work spaces of Bethany Kramer, Anne Freund, Beckah Krahula, Betz White and more.  As always, it is full of inspiring photographs and stories.

If you would like to enter to win a copy, please leave your comment below.    

• This is open to all readers, even if you are outside the US.
• Only one comment accepted per person
• Comments will be accepted until end of day Sunday, May 31, 2015
• Winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced on Monday, June 1, 2015

Thank you dear readers and customers for all your support,

Deb

'our building adventure' update

Building our new home should begin in a few weeks--we are just waiting for the basement people to give us the date they plan to dig and install the pre-cast walls--and I can't wait to get going!

Meanwhile, we have been gathering some materials.  Above, a before picture of a marble vanity top for the powder room.  It was sitting outside an antique shop for probably quite some time.  An internet search offered information on cleaning old marble, and it seems to be working.  I still have to apply a poultice on a couple stubborn stains.  Another center hole will be drilled for the faucet, but that is a job for the professionals!  I have not yet found the perfect base for the vanity, but if need be, we will probably build something...

A couple weeks ago, we found these American soapstone countertops and slab sink at a salvage warehouse.  The soapstone is marked Alberene Soapstone, a company formed in the late 1800's and located in central Virginia.  These countertops and sink were reclaimed from a university and, though they look rough, with a gentle sanding and cleaning I know that they will look beautiful in our new kitchen!

Here is a link to an identical soapstone sink so you can see the potential :)

Now, I have a great announcement...there is a giveaway coming up and a sneak peek into Where Women Create's latest issue.  So, please stop back later this week for a chance to win,  

Deb

a long, hard winter...and a winner!

 

 

 



 

Somewhere under all the sparkly snow are my raised beds.  This has been our view out back for the last few months--constant snow cover and record cold temperatures.  One morning this week was -5 F and we will be down around 0 F tonight...I know there are some of you that have been much colder...brrr!  The weather news on TV tonight was not encouraging, as they are predicting that the Great Lakes will keep our area colder than normal for the next 90 days.  I shall have plenty of time to make garden plans...

On a happier note, I would like to announce the winner of the "Where Women Create Giveaway"...chosen by Random Number Generator:
 

Lori has left a new comment on your post "Where Women Create Giveaway":

thanks so much! And hope you are feeling much better... Thank YOU for your blog which will bring me spring inspiration

Lori, please contact me via email {you can find a link on my blog sidebar} so I can get your address.

Thank you everyone for your interest in the contest and for taking time to leave a comment!

Where Women Create Giveaway

How nice it was this past week to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a new magazine while I was feeling a bit miserable with a cold.  Luis, from Stampington and Company, kindly sent out the latest issue of Where Women Create and offered to provide another to one my readers as a giveaway prize!

If you're already familiar with the magazine, you know how well-done and inspiring it is.  The photos are gorgeous, and I could spend hours pouring over the details of each artist's workspace.  The accompanying articles reveal each woman's story--whatever your creative level, I think you will find inspiration.

The current issue features the work spaces of Kristin Nicholas {seen on the cover}, Joanna Madden, Lisa Leonard, and Karla Nathan ,just to name a few...
If you would like to enter to win a copy of this Spring issue, please leave your comment below {only one per person, please}; it is sure to help banish the winter blues!

 

Shabby Apple giveaway winner

 

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

15

Timestamp: 2013-04-10 22:07:06 UTC

 

The winner of the Shabby Apple $50 gift card giveaway

is

Kim Stewart ~ congratulations!

{Kim, please let me know your email address.}

Thanks everyone for entering!!!

 

Shabby Apple $50 Giveaway

 

 

Today, I have a great giveaway to announce

courtesy of Shabby Apple, who are generously offering as grand prize a $50 gift card!!

 

With Spring weather actually approaching, I have been browsing their website,

where I always know I'll find many beautiful styles.

These are just a few of my favorites {links below pictures} so far...

the hardest part is narrowing down my choices!

And, then there are the beautiful tops and bathing suits, like the

Fisherman's Find and the Sailboat.

 

 

 

 

Decadence

 

Pier Patrol

Conductor

 

 



 

Hydrangea

 

 

To participate in this fabulous giveaway, for a $50 gift card to purchase any Shabby Apple

 item you would like, just meet the following requirements:

 

1. "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabby-Apple/56291792791
2. Leave me a comment mentioning your Facebook 'like', and let me know what Shabby Apple dress or item is your favorite.
3. Contest is open to USA shipping addresses only.
4. One entry per person.

Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, April 10 at 9AM.  The winner will be announced later that day...Best wishes!!

 

 

 



welcome April...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your Easter was a joyful one.  Ours was blessed by time spent

with favorite people and delicious food as well.

 

It has very much continued to be winter here.  The ground is still hard

and frozen beneath my feet as I walk or play with the dogs in the early morning.

Flurries fly from time to time and the woodstove is still keeping

us cozy inside.  The hens are not ready to give up their heat lamp

and their water is still kept on the warmer to prevent it from freezing overnight.

The bulbs are very, very slowly pushing their way up from the ground.

When the birds are singing and the sun peeps out,

it looks like Spring cannot be far off--it just doesn't feel like Spring yet.

 

I recently checked a project off my to-do list,

that has been awaiting doing for a long time:  a linen liner for our bread basket.

It took very little time once I set my mind to it,

and it felt very peaceful to sit and do a bit of hand sewing.

The idea comes from Martha and can be found

here.

 

My last bit of news...there will be a Shabby Apple giveaway here very soon!

See you then.

 

 



a free boot cuff pattern just for You

 

 

 

To thank you all for coming by throughout the year

with kind and encouraging comments,

here is a pattern I made for some knitted

boot cuffs.

I wore them today to church with a skirt, leggings,

and boots,

and they kept me quite cozy despite the cold weather.

 

 

 

homespun cabled boot cuffs

 

SIZE

To fit most, up to a calf circumference of 16 inches.

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference of boot cuff, unstretched:  approximately 12 inches

Length of boot cuff:  approximately 8 inches

 

MATERIALS

Bulky weight yarn; approximately 150 yards

US #11/8.0 mm straight needles
US #10/6.0 mm straight needles
cable needle
tapestry needle
 

GAUGE

12 sts /16 rows = 4 inches

PATTERN NOTES

Boot cuffs are a great looking, stylish addition to your wardrobe.  They knit up quickly, making them perfect for gift giving as well.  I have knit them with straight needles, but the pattern could be easily converted to circular knitting by omitting the selvedge stitch at the beginning and end of each row and adjusting the knit and purl stitches accordingly.

 

DIRECTIONS

With US 10 needles, loosely cast on 38 stitches.  Work in 2 x 2 rib as follows:

Rows 1 and 3 (WS):  Purl 1,*knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Rows 2 and 4 (RS):    Knit 1, *knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

 

Switch to US 11 needles.  Begin cable pattern as follows:

Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 (WS):  Purl 1, *knit 3, purl 9; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Rows 2 and 6 (RS):  Knit 1, *knit 9, purl 3; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 4 (RS): Knit 1, *slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 3, knit 3 from cable needle, knit 3, purl 3; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 8 (RS):  Knit 1, *knit 3, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3, knit 3 from cable needle, purl 3; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Repeat this 8 row cable pattern three times.

 

Switch to US 10 needles and work in 2 x 2 rib as follows:

Rows 1 and 3 (WS):  Purl 1,*knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Rows 2 and 4 (RS):    Knit 1, *knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.   

 

Bind off in pattern.  Sew seam using mattress stitch and weave in ends.

 

**This pattern is specifically for personal use only**--Thank you so much, Deb.

 

celebrating the handmade...

"The Arts and Crafts Movement was an aesthetic movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Begun in Britain by social reformers Walter Crane and John Ruskin, and designer William Morris, it was a reaction against the tastes of the Victorian era and the "soulless" machine-made products of the emerging Industrial Revolution. Their belief was that good design correlated to the notion of a good society. Workers under hardship by the working conditions and machines found in factories often created goods that were poor in design and quality. The movement's aim was to re-establish a harmony between architect, designer and craftsman, and to produce handmade, well-designed, affordable, everyday objects. These products would enhance the lives of ordinary people while providing fulfilling work for the craftsman."  {Source}

This fall we took a road trip to East Aurora, NY

to visit the Roycroft Campus.

It was founded by Elbert Hubbard in 1895,

after having met William Morris and discussing

"...the 'ideal' return to pre-industrial society where

all household items were handmade."

That's all I needed to hear, to know it is a place

I must see...

We visited several of the buildings, including the

Roycroft Inn--all amazing--as were the beautiful,

handcrafted items found in the museum and in the gift shop!

~~~~~

Of course, no trip to East Aurora is complete without

a visit to Vidler's 5 & 10...

...and a stop at a unique cafe for something

good to eat...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you, ladies, for stopping by this week to enter

Liz's eDiaperCakes giveaway,

and congratulations to the winner, Deborah!

~Deb



giveaway from eDiaperCakes...

I'm so glad you stopped by today, as I am happy to announce

a giveaway from eDiaperCakes

First, here's owner, Liz, to tell you more about her business:

"EDiaperCakes.com makes great baby gifts for first time parents. We design baby shower diaper cakes from our favorite children’s books, rattles, plush animals and flowers. Some of the plush animals we use are allergy friendly! Our diaper cakes have more uses than being the centerpiece at the baby shower. They are used as gifts for friends, neighbors, and we have offices that buy diaper cakes for pregnant coworkers."

"When we create our baby gifts, we only use brand name products. We know how special the gift is so we want to make sure that the mommy will only get quality when she orders from us. Some of the brands that we use are Pampers, Gund, Kid’s Preferred and TY. You can find our entire diaper cake selection here."

For today's giveaway, Liz is kindly offering one homespun living reader

a $25 gift certificate to eDiaperCakes.com!

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment in today's post.

{Please, only one entry per person} 

Giveaway will end Wednesday, 11/14/12, at 9am,

and a winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced by end of day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you Liz!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11/14/12::The winner of the $25 gift certificate to eDiaperCakes.com
is:


Msfinl7:06 PM


These are absolutely adorable! Expecting another great niece or nephew soon and this would make a perfect gift. Thanks for the opportunity!

Deborah



journal giveaway results

A most grateful thank you to all who

entered the journal giveaway;

and your {much too} kind remarks are sincerely

appreciated!

Here are the results:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

83

Timestamp: 2012-10-10 23:44:25 UTC

Congratulations to Connie:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "some of my summer handiwork and a giveaway":

hi deb.....thanks so much for the opportunity to win one of your lovely journals.

connie

Thanks again,

Deb

 

some of my summer handiwork and a giveaway

         Over the course of the summer, many spare moments were spent working on some homespun goodness for a local craft festival.  The week of the event quickly arrived, and with it an unexpected family event for that very same day.  I never made it to the craft festival, but that turned out just fine as I now have some things to offer at firefly farm goods, which has been sitting quite empty all summer. 
Here's a bit of what I've been working on over the summer:

{ drawstring pouches }

{ recycled book cover journals }

{ some flea market treasures }

{ sugar sack & leather tote bag }

{ some zipper pouches }

Best of all, I would like to give away one of the

recycled book cover journals to one of you!

This journal is 5.25 inches wide x 7.5 inches tall.

Inside you'll find 100 sheets of acid-free blank white paper

plus pages of black & white nature illustrations

from an old book. 

It can hold your writing, drawing, or scrapbooking momentos... 

To enter the giveaway drawing,

just leave me a comment.

This is open to all readers, even if you

are outside the US.

And, if you are an anonymous commenter,

be sure to leave your email address.

Comments will be accepted until

end of day tomorrow, Tuesday October 9, and I will announce a winner

on Wednesday, October 10.

Thank you all for taking the time to stop by and visit!

Deb

*Note:  Comments are now closed and a winner will soon be announced--thanks for entering!!