Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway WINNER!!!

WOW!!! What fun this week FULL of giveaways has been! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed I scored a little too in all the fun madness! 

So who gets to kick of Christmas week with this festive bundle???

The Random Number Generator picked Lucky #49!!!

I must admit when I scrolled through the post to see who that was I was super excited to land on...

Pam said... 49  

"I so much enjoyed joining in with the Create HOPE Designs sew along. I made yet another pair of shorts last night from the 30 Minute Shorts pattern."

Pam has been one of the greatest participants and supporters here at Hopeful Threads, as well as, over at Created H.O.P.E. Designs, a project near and dear to my heart! I am delighted to get this bundle together and on it's way to you Pam! 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

I hope you enjoy your your prize!

Thanks to EVERYONE who entered and made this an extra special and fun giveaway day by sharing some of your holiday memories and traditions! I enjoyed reading each one! Also, a HUGE thanks to Sew, Mama, Sew for hosting all of the fun!

Don't forget, there's still time to enter our other giveaway from Lily Bird Studio! She's giving away a bundle of 4 of your favorite patterns from her shop! You can enter here!

Merry Christmas to all!

Family Traditions!

For my Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway I asked you all to share a favorite holiday memory or tradition, so I thought I would too. We have lots of little things that are part of our celebrations each year, but one that has become an expected part of the fun in just the last couple of years is for mama to make everyone matching jammies. I LOVE IT!!! Daddy is even a good sport! :)

The first year we had Popcorn jammies made from this fun print that was perfect for "Movie Night".

I've scanned through my photos trying to find pics of the finished pairs, but they're not on this computer. These were really fun and have been worn many, many times!

Last year we went with a Christmasy print....Santa Frogs! 

This is my lovely family (all but babe) decked out in our holiday froggie fluff...

Man I love this bunch!!! :)
And to keep things real, this is how it ended up about picture #37...

This is our choice for this year, PENGUINS!!!

And since I couldn't find a neutral print with enough yardage, we're going to do pink penguins for the girls and blue for the boys. I think they both are super cute! This is what I'll be finishing up this coming week. How about you? Working on any last minute gifts or projects?

Keep spreadin' that holiday cheer! :)

Sharing the FUN at:

Guest Post from Danny at Mommy For Reals!

Hello everyone! My name is Danny and I write over at Mommy For Reals. I am a new momma to a beautiful baby girl named Clara Mae. I use my blog as a way to publicly stumble through mommyhood and share my passions: reading, cooking, and CRAFTING!! I offer lots of tutorials and recipes (I promise I've used my family as guinea pigs first!) Please feel free to drop in anytime! Today, I am going to share with you a super easy, no sewing or glue gunning experience required Christmas craft, the Christmas Light Candle Holder. This little votive holder makes a perfect last minute neighbor, teacher, mail man, grocer, or dog walker gift! Pretty cute, isn't it? Materials: Glass globe (I got mine from Michael's) Small glass votive holder (Also from Michael's) Large Christmas bulb replacements (I found mine at Wal-Mart) Curling Ribbon Fabric Ribbon Votive Candle (Mine's vanilla scented!) Scissors Cut 5-6 lengths of curling ribbon about one foot each and curl, curl, curl! Place curled ribbons into the bottom of the large glass globe. Next, add a few light bulbs to the globe. There's no real science here. Just add as many as you like. Cut a few more lengths of curling ribbon, curl, then add to the globe. Place the glass votive holder inside the glass globe. I tested mine out in the store before I made my purchases so I knew the votive holder would fit snuggly on top without falling into the globe. Place your candle into the holder. Now, add a cute fabric ribbon around the mouth of the globe and enjoy! So easy and cute, right?! I hope you all have an awesome and fantastically happy Christmas!

The Heart of Handmade

Handmade isn't just a hobby for our family. It's a way of life. A part of who we are. If I pause to consider all the different ways I can remember my family members creating with their hands it includes a variety of things from sewing, crochet, quilting, gardening, canning, cooking, woodworking, painting....quite a diverse group! But what we all have in common is the desire to create, to work with our hands. 

When my grandmother visited for Thanksgiving this year, she brought a very special gift with her. My great aunt was a doll maker. All of her dolls were her own designs, not made from patterns. She also made their clothing and accessories. They were unique in every way. She always had a special treat for me to leave with when our family would visit her home. It was full of dolls! And she had a few favorites that were regularly requested by her admirers. This being one of them...

 Laura Ingalls Doll

I was of course thrilled to have her!

She will share her space with another of my aunt's dolls already a part of my sewing room inspiration, Ragedy Anne

 She has been a precious treasure since my childhood. Can you see the "love" marks on her? :)

 My aunt gave each a special heart too.

 It's always a comforting thought to consider the roots from which my creating comes. Perhaps one day generations to follow me will treasure some of my creations as I do these precious dolls.

When we share our gifts, sometimes it matters much more than we know!

 Are you having fun with all the GIVEAWAY fun this week? If you haven't entered my giveaways, I have 2 going on just below this post! Good luck to all!

Sew, Mama, Sew GIVEAWAY DAY!

WINNER ANNOUNCED! - COMMENT #49 Pam

ARE YOU READY??? 

Let the delightful FUN known as Giveaway Day begin!!!

And since it's December and I'm in complete Christmas mode, so is my giveaway!

This bundle of vintage goodies is just what you need to whip up that last minute gift that will look like you've been working on it all year! Here's what's included:

5 Vintage Christmas print fat quarters

3 yards each of red & green vintage lace

18" block of muslin with Snowman embroidery ironed on

Red, green & white embroidery floss

Package of hand sewing needles

Wouldn't this make the perfect patchwork pillow, stocking or wall hanging?

So much fun!!!

COMMENTS CLOSED! THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG!

To get entered all you have to do is a leave a comment sharing one of your favorite holiday memories or traditions! That's it!

If you are a follower of Hopeful Threads, leave a second comment saying so for an additional entry! Thanks for hanging out with me other than Giveaway Day! ;)

+++AND+++

If you have participated in any of our Monthly Projects this year, leave a third comment saying which project(s) for yet another entry!

And of course, the fine print...

FIRST, play nice...this is suppose to be FUN! ;) Giveaway open to those with a US address. (International readers, please be sure to check out my other giveaway that is open worldwide!) I will select a winner Friday, December 16th and post here as well as email. If you are a no-reply blogger, PLEEEEEEASE leave your email address with your comment....I will not be searching for contact information to give stuff away...I mean really! :) If winner does not respond within 48 hours an alternate winner will be selected.

So if you're interested in this bit of merry goodness, jump in!

Don't forget to check out all the other amazing blogs & giveaways linked at Sew, Mama, Sew this week!

And if you haven't yet, make sure to enter our Lily Bird Studio giveaway for your choice of 4 of her lovely patterns!

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope to 'see you' around blogland in 2012!

 
COMMENTS CLOSED! THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG!

SPONSOR GIVEAWAY from Lily Bird Studio!

It's no secret that I LOVE Lily Bird Studio sewing patterns, so I am THRILLED to have them as my newest sponsor!

 And to kick things off, Cecilia, the talented designer behind Lily Bird, is offering a wonderful giveaway!

You could win a Bundle of 4 Lily Bird Studio PDF Patterns!

You can see my personal reviews of several of her patterns on my Pattern Reviews page at the top of the blog, including...

Emma's Dress

 Ben & Mia Pants

 And the most recent, Mona Coat.

COMMENTS CLOSED....THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!
If you would like to be entered to WIN your choice of 4 Lily Bird Studio PDF patterns here's what you need to do...
Visit Lily Bird Studio and leave a comment here with the 4 patterns you would choose if you're the lucky winner. Have fun! There are some great patterns to check out!


AFTER THAT you have the chance for a couple of bonus entries...
Bonus Entry 1 - "Like" Lily Bird Studio on Facebook
Bonus Entry 2 - "Follow" Lily Bird Studio on Twitter
COMMENTS CLOSED....THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

That's 3 possible entries per person! Make sure to leave each comment separately. And if you are a no-reply blogger, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE leave an email address with your comment....I will not be searching for contact info. Giveaway OPEN WORLDWIDE. Winner will be randomly selected and posted here Monday, December 19, 2011 and given 48 hours to respond or alternate winner will be selected. Patterns will be sent in PDF format via email once winner confirms.

GOOD LUCK!
And thank you Lily Bird Studio! I'm very happy to have your sponsorship of Hopeful Threads!

A "Thank YOU!" from Cambodia!

I'm very happy to share this special thank you with all of you! This is from Cathleen of Children In Families who is busy putting the diaper covers we sent to use. Cathleen is on the right in this picture.

This is a sincere thanks to all of you who helped to lovingly sew such cute diaper covers for the precious little ones that we are privileged to serve. When I received them, I could feel the love just popping out of that bag! In the few weeks since receiving them, the covers are being used by 5 little bottoms! One little girl, a set of twin boys, and a very special set of tiny twin girls joined at the chest. May God bless each of you richly as you use your skills to bless others!

Huge hugs from,
Cathleen Jones
Coordinator
Children In Families
www.childreninfamilies.org 

A reminder of the WHY behind the stitching at Hopeful Threads!