Five Things- November 9

Hello! It's been a good week here.  I hope you all had nice ones too.  I've been feeling productive, getting sewing done, organizing stuff, and even thinking about Christmas.  Here's a few things I'm loving this week.

1.  I've reopened my Etsy shop for Christmas.  You can see a sneak of what is in it on the toolbar to you right.  And if you see any little treats you'd like, feel free to use coupon code listed below for 20% off anything in my shop for a limited time:

I'll be adding more things from now to the end of the year.

2.  And if you'd like to win a bag I've made, I have one up for a giveaway on Chaotic Goddess' website.  They're hosting 12 days of giveaways!  Mine is day eight.  Here's the link: Super Tote Peacock Bag at CGSwaps

3.  I signed up for another holiday swap!  The Broke and the Bookish has a Secret Santa book swap.  I just couldn't resist.  Swapping books is always so fun.  And I missed Chaotic Goddess' summer book swap so this is just making up for that one right?  :) If you're interested in signing up, going check out the post for more details.

4.  I made Italian Wedding soup for the first time using this recipe.  It was soooo good!  I used kale instead of spinach and didn't add the beans.  I plan on making it again soon!

5.  Finally, does anyone else with cats experience problems getting pictures done?  My cat now knows the sound of the camera being turned on and as soon as he hears it he comes running.  He's quite the little ham.  Here's a couple outtakes from pictures I was trying to do this week.

Giveaway for Two Handmade Zipper Pouches

Another week, another winner!  The six pattern bundle drawing is over, and Joske W. was the winning entry.  So, if that's you, check your email!  This week, I have a fun giveaway that's also practical.

Zipper pouches were one of the first things I sewed and they got me hooked.  It was a fast project.  You can whip one up in under half an hour.  They don't take up much fabric, and they are practical.  You can use them to store makeup, cell phone chargers, headphones, sewing supplies, pretty much whatever you like as long as it will fit.

This week I'm giving away two pouches.  The smaller is perfect for purses, to hold cash, credit cards, lip balm, whatever you like.  It measures 4 inches tall and five inches wide.  The exterior fabric is Kaffe Fassett's Winding Floral print.  The inside is a pale green with white polka dots.  It has been interfaced with fusible fleece so it's quite sturdy.  The zipper is white.

Kaffee Fassett's Winding Floral Pouch

The larger pouch measures about eight inches wide and about five and a half inches tall.  There's a layer of fusible fleece sandwiched between the lining fabric and exterior fabric of this one too.  The exterior is from Anna Maria Horner's LouLouThi collection.  I don't know the exact name, but it always kind of reminded me of fireworks.  The interior is a mint green woven.  If you carry a big enough purse, you can definitely throw this guy in your bag.  But it'd also be good to hold makeup brushes, art supplies, crochet hooks, etc.

To enter, just follow the directions on the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  Leaving a comment is mandatory, all other entries are optional.  And if you haven't entered yet, you have one more day to get in on the Stash Builder Giveaway!

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Stash Builder Giveaway

Today is "Giveaway Day" at SewMamaSew!  Currently there's over 100 blogs linking up giving away fabric, supplies, patterns, and finished projects.  I'm joining in and giving away five half yard pieces of different fabrics to build you stash.

 

This giveaway is open internationally.  Just enter using the rafflecopter form below.  Only the first option is mandatory, but you can follow me on Pinterest or Bloglovin for additional chances to win.  But, first, let me show you what you're going to win.

Going from left to right.

1. A red piece from Michael Miller featuring fans, flowers, and butterflies.
2. A pale turquoise piece from Kona Bay featuring lotus flowers and a sort of Japanese handwriting.
3. From Benatrex, a floral piece that appears o be berry blossoms and some berries.  Cream background, with greens and burgundies.
4.  From Studio Fabrics, lime green fabric with obese cats lounging in chairs, playing with yarn and chasing butterflies and bees.
5. From Blank Quilting, a blue and purple piece with an abstract design.

Winners will be notified by December 15.

And by the way, I'm giving away a Six Pattern Bundle.  You can win patterns to sew your own skirts, dresses, and purses.  So click on over and enter that giveaway too!  This giveaway has ended now, but you can enter to win this week's giveaway: Two Handmade Zipper Pouches.


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Giveaway for Pretty Little Purses and Pouches

Happy Thanksgiving, American friends!  If it's not Thanksgiving where you are, then I hope you're having a good day however you are spending it.  Today is the first of several giveaways being held here on Chair in the Shade from now until the New Year.

Today's prize is a hardcover copy of Pretty Little Purses and Pouches (affiliate link).  This book is great for beginning bag makers, or sewers looking for some fresh ideas.  There's directions for 29 different purses and pouches as well as hints and tips on inserting zippers, linings, pockets and the like.  Lots of fun patterns that you can customize however you like.  And great ideas if you want to make some of your own Christmas presents this year.

To enter, simply tell me how much stuff is in your purse.  Mine is pretty big, I usually carry my wallet, phone, lip balm, a note book, day planner, a book, Excedrin, and various other odds and ends.  I'm one of those people who would rather have anything I could possibly need than realize I forgot something at home.  You can also earn bonus entries for following on Twitter and Bloglovin.


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In a Book Rut... and Some Giveaway Shout Outs

Do you guys ever start reading a book and you're not really into it, but you keep reading it thinking it will get better? I frequently do this with movies. (Sometimes Netflix can be a total crap shoot.) But, with books, I feel like I need to keep giving it a shot, but then get frustrated and I just quit reading all together. That's how it is with Forever by Peter Hamill.  I read the first couple chapters, wasn't really feeling the vibe of the book, and set it down thinking I just needed to give it more of a shot to get into it.  I haven't picked it up since and that was over a month ago.  Now the thought of trying to get back into it makes me feel less than enthused.

So, last night I decided to chuck it back into the book shelf for a try again later and run off with an old standby.  Whenever I get into a book rut, I turn to an author I've been reading sense I was in junior high, Agatha Christie.  First off, she wrote like a hundred books so there's plenty to choose from.  Second, she has a handful of different detectives- Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Harley Quinn, a couple others- and plenty of books that have an amateur sleuth that only appears in that story.  So, there's plenty to choose from, their entertaining, and pretty quick reads.  Just what a girl needs to get her back in a reading groove and out of a book rut.  By the way, if you're interested in which book I picked, I went with Third Girl which a Hercule Poirot mystery.

Anyhow, it got me thinking.  Agatha Christie's detectives deserve a reboot, ala Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock and Elementary.  Especially Harley Quinn, he just seems like there's more there than what he lets on. I'd even settle for a show where Agatha Christie solves mysteries.  I really loved The Unicorn and the Wasp episode on Doctor Who.

Agatha Christie and Doctor Who

And finally, on a completely unrelated not.  I won't be around tomorrow due to Thanksgiving lunch with the family and then off to work.  But, I do have my first giveaway of the Christmas season all queued up and ready to go, so be sure to check back for that.


And, I'm also sharing some links to a couple other giveaways going on hosted by some of the blogs I follow.

Mom Does Reviews is giving away a doggie natural prize pack.  US only, ends 11/29
Mom and More is giving away a $100 Kohl's gift card.   Ends 12/6.

Griperang's Bookmarks is giving away a SoyL Scent Candle Gem.  US only, ends 12/9.

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Lana B., the winner of the Whatever Goes Giveaway hop here.  She's already responded to my request for mailing information, so her prize pack full of Symbolic Imports will be going in the mail today.  Lana's favorite food smell is pumpkin pie.  That's a pretty good one in my book.

If you entered, but didn't win, never fear, there's many more giveaways to be had before the end of the year.  I hope to do one a week starting the week of Thanksgiving.  There will be sewing patterns, fabric, crafty little things, and more!  So, keep checking in to see what you can win.

I've also signed up for Lauren Paints A Beautiful Life's New Year & an All New You hop which is running from January 3 to January 20.  If you're a blogger and would like to sign up, just click the picture below and follow the directions.

Hope you're all having a good Tuesday.  It was 18 degrees out when I came home from work last night.  I don't think I'm ready for winter yet, but I guess it's coming whether I'm ready or not.

Giveaway Round Up for 11.10

Don't forget!  The Whatever Goes Giveaway Hop  ends Monday at Midnight.  There's 55 shops participating, including mine!  If you haven't entered to win the Symbolic Imports treats, I highly suggest you do.  There's salted caramel lip balm, butter cream lip balm. gingerbread cookie roll on perfume, pumpkin soap, all tucked in one of my cosmetic bags.  It's open worldwide, so enter and then check out the other 54 giveaways for more goodies. 

Here are some other giveaways I've found online this week.  I'm not co-hosting any of these, but everyone likes to win things, so go check them out.

There's a Sample the States giveaway full of goodies from Maine hosted by The Adventures of My Family of 8 along with some other bloggers.  Giveway ends 11/14

Win a $25 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby from Simply Stacie.  Giveaway ends 11/22

There's a big giveaway for a new serger and gift certificates for some awesome fabric shops over on Sewbon plus a whole collection of gift ideas for you.  Giveaway ends 11/15

You can win a Singer sewing machine, gift card to Joann's and a bunch of other prizes over at Flamingo Toes.  Giveaway ends 11/30

Win custom candles from Lissy's Lit Wicks over on Mary's Cup of Tea.  Giveaway ends 11/19

Reminder: Whatever Goes Giveaway Hop

Just a reminder that you have a little over a week to enter the Whatever Goes Giveaway!

Hosted by Mommy's Favorite Things and Mama's Baby Cupcakes. 

I'm giving away a bunch of awesome, yummy scented products from Symbolic Imports.  She runs an awesome shop on Etsy and has great smelling things.  There's currently over 200 items in her shop!  If you can't wait to see if you win, you can buy any of these items directly from her. 

Click on the picture of my prize pack to be taken to the entry page and view the links for all the other blogs participating in the Whatever Goes Giveaway!

But you better hurry!  This giveaway ends November 11.

Whatever Goes Giveaway

Welcome to the "Whatever Goes" Giveaway Hop hosted by Mommy's Favorite Things and Mama's Baby Cupcakes. 

This hop is an open theme so whatever the blogger wants to showcase goes!! After visiting my giveaway, make sure you use the linky below to take a look at the other bloggers and see what they have to offer! Each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner. 

>>>>>----<<<<<

So what do I have up for a prize?  Well, remember a few weeks ago when I was talking about how much I loved Symbolic Imports' Gingerbread perfume?  It's delicious without smelling like a gigantic cookie.  So, I got some roll on gingerbread perfume, some butter cream lip balm, some salted caramel lip balm, and a bar of pumpkin soap, all made by Angel from Symbolic Imports.  And all these goodies will arrive tucked into a zipper cosmetic bag, made by myself.

My giveaway is open world wide, so use the Rafflecopter giveaway to enter for your chance to win.  And then be sure to check out the links to everyone else's giveaway.

And PS- if you don't want to wait for the giveaway to get your hands on some goodies from Symbolic Imports, check out their Etsy shop.

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Whatever Goes Giveaway- Coming Soon!

I love Giveaways!  Just in the last two months, I've won six 12 packs of Seagram's gingerale, two DVDs, and a scholarship to Big Picture Classes "Project Life Lessons"  Winning is great, but giving is almost as fun.  So, I'm signing up to join Mama's Baby Cupcakes and Mommy's Favorite Things Whatever Goes Giveaway Hop, which starts up next month.  Want some more info?

This giveaway is going to be prizes with the theme whatever goes. Anything is acceptable for this giveaway hop. There are lots of options for finding a prize for this wonderful event. Your only mission is to find the perfect prize pack for your blog! Because this is a blog hop, each blog will be responsible for securing their own prize on their own blog. Each prize must be a Minimum of $25. The Prize can be sponsored OR you can self sponsor. Each blog can have more than 1 winner, but each winner must win at least $25 in prizes. Joining this Blog Hop is FREE as long as you share the announcement in some way. It takes 2 seconds to do this!! Tweet, pin, or share on FB.

When: 10/21-11/11
Who: Anybody with a blog can sign up for this one!
Sign ups close 10/14 Add yourself to the Linky at Mommy's Favorite Things! You MUST share this announcement in order to participate in this hop.

 If you're a fellow blogger, link up!  It should be fun!

Add yourself to the Linky Below! You MUST share this announcement in order to participate in this hop. You can also join the Facebook Group for our events here - See more at: http://www.mommysfavoritethings.com/2013/08/whatever-goes-giveaway-hop-sign-ups.html#sthash.cawDqgDC.dpuf

Add yourself to the Linky Below! You MUST share this announcement in order to participate in this hop. You can also join the Facebook Group for our events here - See more at: http://www.mommysfavoritethings.com/2013/08/whatever-goes-giveaway-hop-sign-ups.html#sthash.cawDqgDC.dpuf

Want to Win a Kindle Fire (or an Amazon gift card)?

Hey, how would you like to win a Kindle Fire?  I'm teaming up with a bunch of other blogs and authors to give some lucky soul the chance to win.  It's a Rafflecopter giveaway.  If you follow me on Twitter or follow on Bloglovin you already have earned two entries (just click the coordinating blocks on the Rafflecopter widget).  And there's plenty more chances so scroll down and start entering.  Good luck!

 

  This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7″.

Kindle Fire HD 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Candace's Book Blog
4. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
5. Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
6. Ketch's Book Nook
7. Author Rachael Renee Anderson
8. Author Karey White
9. Buku-Buku-Didi
10. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
11. Author Bella Street
12. Brooke Blogs
13. Author Anna Kyss
14. Author Ednah Walters
15. These are but Shadows
16. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
17. Fae Books
18. Magical Manuscripts
19. Chair in the Shade
20. The Book Bellas
21. Page Flipperz
22. Romance Schmomance
23. A Bookish Escape
24. bookitty blog
25. Author S.A. Larsen
26. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
27. Jessabella Reads
28. Author Jennifer Laurens
29. Bea's Book Nook
30. Books 4 Tomorrow
31. Meredith's Musings
32. Libby's Library
33. Author Deanna Roy
34. Word to Dreams
35. Bookhounds
36. Diva Book Nerd
37. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
38. Author Kim Cresswell
39. Author Inger Iversen
40. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
41. Lori's Reading Corner
42. Author Lena Sledge
43. Author Kerry Taylor
44. Author Brinda Berry
45. Author Niecey Roy
46. Author Kary Radar
47. Author Josh Baker
48. Author Helen Smith
49. Author Annette K. Larsen

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7″ HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire.

Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway.  Details can be found here.

Ends 9/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Fugly Fabric Party Link Up

Guess what!  I'm linking up with Charm About You's "Fugly Fabric Party", and giving away some fabric.

 The goal of the party is to help people get rid of that fabric they just don't get warm fuzzies over anymore.  I'm giving away a one yard piece of fish fabric I got on Ebay a few years ago.  It's really cute fabric, but the background is so light that I never quite know how to incorporate it into things.    There's also four fat quarters I'm just not loving.  There's a blue piece with blue whales, a tan piece with little dogs and blocks on it, a green piece with clovers, and some psychedelic swirls in purples, blues, and greens. 

Fugly Fabric Giveaway!

How do you enter to get all this fabulous fabric for free?  Fill out the Rafflecopter Giveawy form below!  Leaving a comment is mandatory to enter, but you can get bonus entries by following on Bloglovin', Twitter, or Tweeting about it.  I will ship worldwide, so feel free to enter even if you aren't in the USA. 

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