Thanks-Givaway Winner & Final Insights in an AccuQuilt Giveaway

I had two delightful helpers select the winner for my Thanks-Givaway.

We put all the entries into a spreadsheet and assigned a number to each entry.  We then used Random Number Generator , which selected #87 as the winner.

Lucky #87 won a mesh bag full of goodies, as described in a prior post. 

Wondering who Lucky #87 is?  They have a lovely blog and have this cute fish as their Avatar.  

If you do not have this cute fish as an Avatar, I think this is a sign you didn't win my Thanks-Givaway.  But there is still time for you to enter another GREAT giveaway on my site for giveaways & contests:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/

If you have not yet entered the giveaway for the AccuQuilt "Worst Gift" Contest, there is still time.  But you need to get your entries in quilkly as the deadline is November 27th.  There are multiple ways to enter and the more ways you enter the more chances you have to win.  AccuQuilt is giving away a $100 Gift Certificate for AccuQuilt products.

For more info : http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html


As an FYI, in the future I will be trying hard to only share insights on giveaways and contests on my blog:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/  I've also had so much fun with this giveaway, that I'm now thinking of holding a giveaway each month.  I think I can come up with more great prizes and I'm also hoping to find a few sponsors who may also be willing to donate prizes.

If you want a hint about the December giveway, you may want to finish working on your holiday projects soon!   I think you'll be wanting to "show" them off soon!

Are you still wondering who Lucky #87 is?  Well, it is Free Indeed http://blocklotto.blogspot.com/  I hope you'll go check out her blog and congratulate her on this win.

Happy Thanksgiving & Final Giveaway Reminder

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

I've had a great year and am very thanksful for so many things.  One of which, was being able to visit the IQF Long Beach Quilt Show. Thus, I created this  Smilebox slideshow card for you using pictures from this delightful show.   The quilts in this slideshow are so beautiful, it would be easy to overlook this slideshow card and not realize you were viewing beautiful quilts!  BTW,  I'd love to see one of your quilts in this show in 2010!

Please check back tomorrow, as I'll be selecting a winner for my Thanks-Giveaway, and posting after I have dinner.  If you have not entered, you may want to check it out and enter.  There are several ways to enter and get more chances to win too!  For more info:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/sewcalgals-thanks-giveaway.html

And as you enjoy Thanksgiving, you may want to ask everyone to share their story about their "Worst Gift".  You can also enter your "Worst Gift" story to win a $100 Gift Certificate for AccuQuilt products. There are several ways to enter and get more chances to win, but you need to enter ASAP as the deadline is November 27th.   For more info:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html

ArtBin Bobbin Boxes

ArtBin is the manufacturer of my favorite bobbin box.  It holds up to 30 bobbins, or other supplies.  It is made of a translucent polypropylene to easily view what is inside.  I've also enjoyed that this box is very durable, making it a perfect product to be taken to workshops & sew-cials.

I also recommend having a separate bobbin box for different types of threads:  100% cotton, machine embroidery, etc.

ArtBin also offers this product for purchase online, at a very reasonable price.  Therefore I view this is also an excellent stocking stuffer, or gift for your quilting friends.  I strongly recommend the ArtBin Bobbin Box.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For insights on other ArtBin products check out:  http://craft.artbin.com/

Can I get arrested for abusing my sewing machine?

Am I at risk for being arrested for sewing machine abuse?  Is there a 10 step program for people like me?  I am usually good about taking my machine in for servicing on an annual (or semi-annual) basis, and I "try" to remember to add a drop of oil every so often, but I must confess I'm not always that good about cleaning after each project (or even cleaning every couple of projects)..

After recently making several charity quilts and ~30 red canvas aprons, plus doing quite a bit of machine embroidery, all without cleaning, I knew I had been pushing the limit of taking care of my machine.  While I'm lucky that she is running like a charm, I think she deserves to go to the sewing machine spa (aka servicing), I just don't want to give her up during the holiday window for a basic cleaning so I'm realizing (a bit late) that I need to do my part to keep her clean, well fed (w/oil) and happy.  But, do I have to the tools to do this?

I've seen advertisements for those vacuum attachment kits that help you clean your sewing machine, but I never got around to ordering one until I saw them available on IHAN.

This mini-vacuum kit easily attached to my vacuum cleaner and allowed me to quickly vacuum up the dirt & dust inside (and outside) of my sewing machine.  I actually had so much fun using this cleaning tool I used it on our computers & keyboards, as well as flat screen tvs, ornate lamps, and other household items that collect dust and dirt in small crevices.  This device really did an excellent job and was easy & fast to use. 

I was so delighted with this vacuum attachment kit that I ordered several kits from IHAN to give to friends that enjoying quilting, sewing & embroidery.

Also, IHAN has a really easy to use online gift registry tool.  You may want to do some online shopping and register for your favorite gifts for your family & friends to buy you for Christmas.  SewCalGal is also registered on this gift registry.  I think this is a great tool.  After all, you don't want to end up with a "worst gift" this Christmas!

SewCalGal - Giveaway

SewCalGal Insights' site for sharing insights on contests, giveaways and special announements is the host for a Thanks-givaway.  There are many delightful items in this giveaway, but you need to check out:  http://tinyurl.com/yl6vnxq for more informaiton on this giveaway.

IF SewCalGal were not hosting this giveaway, SewCal Gal would certainly want to enter and win this giveaway.  But please remember to enter, you need to follow the rules and enter at:  http://tinyurl.com/yl6vnxq

Being Thankful

This quilt was made by Pamela Allen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  I saw it at the IQF/Long Beach Show this year.  I love this whimsical quilt with beautiful fabrics, prints and creative threadplay & quilting.  I know the birds on this quilt depict guinea fowl, but they also make me think of free roaming turkeys.  Pamela is a teacher and author. 

Here are a few more beautiful quilts that were displayed at this show too: 

As we approach Thanksgiving I've been thinking about all the reasons that I'm thankful.  I don't normally write about myself, but it is a bit difficult to describe how one is thankful without sharing some personal information. 

I'm very thankful for all the people I've met and have influenced me and supported me in with my interests in quilting, sewing & embroidery.  I'm thankful for a loving husband, who while he has Melanoma, is in overall good health.  I'm thankful that I had minor back surgery today, to help my back, and I am in overall good health.  I'm thankful that my family members are good, kind people.  I'm thankful to have many friends who always stand by me to help me, when I need them to give me encouragement when  need it, and simply enjoy spending time with me.  I'm thankful we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, and while we are not rich, we have enough money to pay our bills.  And I'm thankful that I "realize" that all the things I am thankful for are not things that everyone has as I never want to take these things for granted, nor forget there are those less fortunate and can use help & encouragement too!

I'm so thankful, I've decided to hold a Thanks-giving giveaway.   Insights on this giveaway will be posted tomorrow on my site for sharing insights for contests & giveaways:  http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/ , but it will only be open to my followers of this site (http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/).  
In the meantime, feel free to post a comment and share insights about what you are thankful for.  And please know I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Sometimes The Best Gifts Come In Small Packages

I love "little" packages and I love items that help me organize.  When I learned about the ArtBin "Slimline" storage products my mind quickly started thinking of ideas for how this product would help me to organize quilting, sewing & embroidery enthusiasts.  And, I thought of how this product would make a perfect gift.

The ArtBin Slimline box is a lightweight product that is markedted as a perfect product  for storing pencils, makers, and small supplies.  I believe the Slimline box is a perfect product, and is offered at a very reasonable price.  I also have found it to be a perfect item to store rotary cutting blades, packets of sewing needles, and safety pins that I use to baste quilts.

http://craft.artbin.com/artbin_forthecure.asp

This is a "must have" product for any quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiast.  It is also an item that I believe is a great gift item, at a very reasonable price.

http://www.artbin.com/