Monday, August 9, 2010

Sew Wonderful Giveaway




When I decided to do a give away the only problem was selecting a special project that would appeal to a lot of people. I have long been a fan of Art To Heart designs (More about that later) and have one of the newer books so decided I would use one of Nancy Halvorsens patterns for a sewing basket. I had great fabrics to choose from and took my time. The above picture shows a pretty cute pincushion as well as a tiny scissors holder. Please look closely at the small scissors inside as I am including them in the give-away! I am excited about that because not only are small and sweet but they are sharp! There is nothing worse than great looking scissors that are pretty but dull.

The inside of the basket is full of pockets for such things as thread. The thread holders are of varying sizes, so while there only a few, they will hold enough for your current project.




Beginning on the right side, the pink dotted pocket is for large scissors. The pink fabric printed with lovely script will hold a great rotary cutter. Next to that is a green dotted pencil pocket. The rest are for the miscellaneous items we are always looking for in the middle of a great project. Tape measure, needles, pins, seam ripper, etc. Of course I have never needed a seam ripper, but I have heard from reliable sources that they come in handy on occasion.


This was when my basket started to come together. Still a while to go, but starting to look like the end is in sight. It was at this point that I began rethink the give away thing. Just kidding! I have wanted to do this for quite awhile. I just want you to know how much I have enjoyed this journey and am grateful to those of you who join me.


This was my focus fabric. I absolutely fell in love with it and have long moved past the fear of cutting into a fabric. Goodness knows I have more than enough and so now operate on the premise that even if I use all of a favorite, they make more!!

See, look how cute this is. Now the scissors and rotary are mine, but I am sure you can fill these spaces with things of your own. You should know that my rotary cutter is pink. I have a pink cutting mat as well. I am betting that you can find both of those for yourself.

Just a little closer look inside.



This is the cover of Nancy's book "Sew Necessary" and this where I found my project. As you can see I went a different way with fabric but think we both came up with great combinations. One of the things I love with all my heart about being a quilter is the diversity in the choices we make. There is no wrong choice, just your choice or mine.


Okay, done. I love it and hope you do too. If you do, sign in, take advantage of all the ways you can earn a chance and please come back. I am already enjoying this give away thing and hope to do more. Thank you so much for ten thousand visits!!!

I will be drawing a name on Monday, August 16 at 2pm. There are three ways to earn a chance to win this sweet sewing basket.

1. Leave a comment here telling me about your favorite tool. Remember, these are tools, not toys, we need these goodies to do what we do so well.

2. Visit Art to Heart and come back here to leave another comment sharing your favorite Nancy Halvorsen design.

3. Become a follower of my blog then come back here to leave a comment telling me you are following.

102 comments:

Marj said...

OOPs! I posted on the last post...I am already one of your followers, please enter me in your giveaway.

Marj said...

My favorite tool right now is the Easy Circle Cut by Sharon Hultgren. It really makes cutting and sewing inset circles easy.

Marj said...

My favorite Nancy Halvorsen design is "Be Attitudes". It is a very cute quilt that I want to make.

Elaine said...

It looks like Nancy's Garden song book is something I would really like. I think your bag is very cute and practical also. My favorite tool right now is a pair of surgical scissors that are very sharp and great for cutting away batting for trapunto. I already am a follower of your blog. Does that make 3 points?

Liz said...

Nadine what a gorgeous giveaway, I love it, thanks for the chance to win...
My favourite too would still have to be my rotary cutters, all the sizes. I can still remember learning to quilt using scissors, rotary cutters were a turning point!!! Love, love them..........
Lizzie
xxx

Liz said...

...oh yes, I'm already a follower...
:o)
Lizzie
xxx

Barb said...

I am a follower and have been for quite some time--you will see my corgi early on! Love your blog!

Barb said...

I have several of Nancy Halvorsen's books, but right now my favorite is Tidings because I absolutely love Bless Ewe with the sheep! I will be making them shortly!

Barb said...

My favorite tool is my Diamond Sewing Machine! Without that, I would not be doing the sewing and quilting that I currently do...it is the utmost tool in my entire quilt room! Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway--I adore it!

Sharon Stroud said...

I love the sewing basket! Please enter me in the giveaway!

Nanbon44 said...

I stopped by Art to Heart and there are so many items I want, but if I must choose one, then it is the Chocolate Quilt...or the animal magnets

Sharon Stroud said...

OK, let me try that again! My most favorite tool is my Featherweight. Although I do a lot of handwork, there is something about the purr of the motor, the smooth, even stitches--ahhhhh, pure bliss.

Nanbon44 said...

My favorite tool, I have a rotary cutter that is attached to a ruler, I love using that item, I can cut strips and squares so fast and no worry about getting cut. Then it would be my Simplicity Bias tape maker, so fast and easy and no burnt fingers.

Nanbon44 said...

I am a follower, thanks for a great contest

Garilyn S said...

My favorite tool would have to be my rotary cutter. It makes cutting fabric so easy!
blessed.mama4 at yahoo dot com

Garilyn S said...

I'm a new follower!
blessed.mama4 at yahoo dot com

Garilyn S said...

I like Love in our Hearts. Though, I've never done applique, I would love to learn.
blessed.mama4 at yahoo dot com

sy said...

i'm making a lot of pompoms from left over yarn, and i love my clover pompom maker. it could be argued as a toy i guess >.< i've also been using the seam riper a lot u_u

sy said...

i'm a follower.

Kathy MacKie said...

I've become a follower and thanks for your giveaway.

Kathy MacKie said...

My fav tool is my iron. It can create magic when I need it the most!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful giveaway. Congrats for thousads of visitors and many more to come.
I love these tidy up tools. My crochet hooks are my most precious tools. I have soooo many!
Gina

Unknown said...

I've become your follower and am posting a link of your blog on mine.
Gina

Unknown said...

My favourite Nacy Halvosen design is 'Cottage Charms'. Very nice.
Gina

Nile e Richard said...

Oi Nancy,bom dia.
Vim te fazer uma visitinha.
Adorei a sua bolsa de costuras.
Está muito bonita e ideal.
bjtos.Nile.

Michele T said...

I love this bag - what an awesome idea. My favorite tool would be the rotary cutter, couldn't live without one!

Michele T said...

I am a follower too!

Michele T said...

I have to say that I love all of Nancy Halvorsens designs they are gorgeous. A favorite design is "Bloom Table Runner" - something that I would probably make.

Isadora said...

Lovely bag, I'd love to get it!
My favorite tool is my seam ripper, I make a lot of mistakes and it really makes my life easier when I have to redo something.

M. Regina said...

Hello, I've become a follower and thanks for your giveaway. Beautiful your blog, and the background of roses is the same of my blog.

M. Regina said...

My favorite tool would have to be my scissor.

M. Regina said...

I am posting a link of your blog on mine, and I'd love to win. Hugs from Brazil.

antique quilter said...

my favorite tool....
hmmm a good pair of sharp scissors and a sharp rotary blade! sharp straw needles #11 Jeanna kimball,
sharp pencil points, sharp general chalk pencils!
you get the idea!
LOL
I could go on....
the best tools I can buy and keeping them sharp and in good working order!

antique quilter said...

Santa's coming book, I made so many of those santa's faces on towels for Christmas presents for a few years.
I love her Holiday books great ideas for hostess gifts or teachers gifts over the years.
Kathie

antique quilter said...

I have been a follower as soon as I found your blog a little while ago.
Enjoy your work and cant' wait to see your patterns.
Kathie

Katy said...

I am still pretty new to sewing...so I don't have a favorite sewing tool, yet...but my favorite tool as of now is my knitting needles...ALL of them! :o) I am an avid knitter and love my needles!

thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

Katy said...

From Art to heart I like the Home Sweet Home ~ Family themed wall quilt projects!


thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

Jennifer said...

Hi Nadine, I am new to your blog, but I have been working on my first applique project for two years now. It is the Baltimore Bunnies pattern by Bunny Hill Design. I have made it all the way out to the borders and I haven't lost faith yet. My favorite tool is my #10 quilting between needle that I use for the applique. I feel it gives me great control.

Cantinho da Aracy said...

Hi
I became a follower of your blog
Beijos, Aracy

Ellen said...

Just found your blog. What a gorgeous sewing bag! I would love to be included in your giveaway.

My favorite tool is my pair of big fabric scissors. I normally make small projects and do not own a pair of big scissors until recently. It's so much easier to cut fabrics now.

Hugs,

Ellen said...

Love your blog, have just become your follower.

Hugs,

Unknown said...

I have checked in on your blog since BOTP and enjoy your ideas very much.
The tool tote is wonderful!

sweetmelbelle31 said...

My favorite tool is The Bamboo point turner.

sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com

sweetmelbelle31 said...

My favorite design is The Chocolate themed quilt.

sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com

sweetmelbelle31 said...

I follow your blog through google friend connect as Sweetmelbelle31

sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com

wendy wallach said...

My favorite tool is my stitch ripper out-er ( Thats what I call it:)

madamerkf at aol dot com

Joanne Lendaro said...

Rulers! Can't have too many of them, love, love, love a HUGE variety of rulers! lol!!

Thanks for the chance at the beautiful giveaway....

Joanne Lendaro said...

New follower....

Joanne Lendaro said...

tons of cute stuff!! Love the "Oh, Chocolate!!" or the "Forever Friends", also the "Be Attitudes"....pretty much loved them all!!

Anonymous said...

Nadine, that is a beautifully crafted basket. Just gorgeous.
My favorite tool is my small Bernina scissors for applique.
LadyBaltimore

Jean said...

Wow, what an adorable giveaway. You did a great job making it, can't believe you are giving it away!Thanks for the chance to win!

Jean said...

I am a follower and I forgot to say my favorite tool in the last post...I was so excited about the giveaway! I couldn't live without my 6 1/2" square up ruler. I use it in almost every project.

Jean said...

I have loved the Art to Heart patterns forever, and have made some projects with her patterns. I see I need to get Garden Song...looks amazing.

Deb said...

I just joined in as a follower because I just came across your blog and I'm so glad that I did. I'll definitely look forward to your posts and would love to be entered into your giveaway.

Deb said...

My favorite tool - that's a hard one - probably my seam ripper. Boring, but I'd be lost without it!

Deb said...

I think my favorite design of Nancy's right now is Stars and Ribbons. I owe a lot of her books and have enjoyed making quite a few things.

Jen said...

I am new to sewing and not sure really what my favorite tool is but I LOVE this basket!! Super cute!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Nadine Sweetie...
Oh my gosh, Kelly sent me over and I am so thrilled that she did. I love your blog home. I am Country Wings your newest follower. Please stop over and say hi. I would be thrilled if you signed up to follow me as well.

I can't wait to see what you share next. Your sewing bag is so "Happy". I just LOVE it. Those little scissors are just TDF.

You asked about my favorite tool. Well right now that would be my rotary cutter. I have a couple of them, and they sure make cutting easier. I would be lost with out that and my mat.

Have a beautiful day sweet friend, and thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win this gorgeous sewing bag.

Country hugs, Sherry

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Nadine Sweetie..,
Country Wings here again. You asked about my favorite Nancy Halvorsen design. For me that was easy, I loved the Angels Among Us. I may just have to purchase that one.

Thank you for sharing the link. Have a beautiful day sweet friend.

Country hugs, Sherry

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Nadine...
Country Wings here for the last entry. I am your newest follower.

Oh I can't wait to see what you whip up next. This sewing bag would be so wonderful to hold all our necessities, and a little project too. Just wonderful.

Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

Sandy said...

I am new to sewing (and want to learn to quilt) but my favorite tools are my rotary cutter and mat. I could not sew without them!
azbelle3@yahoo.com

Sandy said...

My favorite Nancy Halvorsen design would be the Picture This baby pattern... so cute!
azbelle3@yahoo.com

Sandy said...

I am now following your blog. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this sew cute sewing basket :)
azbelle3@yahoo.com

vintagefindings@me.com said...

OK, there is a really sweet pink and brown striped ribbon that just says it all. I can't believe you made that so fast. It is just to die for cute!! And so practical. My favorite tool is still my trusty thimble. Not that it has had much use lately, but I love it.

Hugs to you.....

Kathy said...

Heard about your wonderful blog from Lady Baltimore! I am now following...

Kathy said...

My favortie Nancy Halvorsen is Tidings. I love anything for Christmas and am already planning on making some of the towels, cookie carriers and bags. Her books are awesome!

Kathy said...

Fave tool would be my rotary cutter and rulers. Can't live without them....have a variety of sizes and seem to use them all.

Virginia said...

Favorite tool - I go for the obscure - freezer paper. I could have said my sewing machine - love it, rulers - need more, rotary cutter, etc. But the freezer paper becomes my inexpensive templates, pattern paper for designing, cover for my ironing service when gluing, and much more.

Virginia said...

Love Nancy's Be Attitudes book and the Stars and Ribbons pattern - great site.

Virginia said...

So I'm now a follower although I've been following you via bloglines.

Lisalulu said...

WHAT a beautiful useful basket. Scissors are my favorite tool. Thanks for the giveaway

Lisalulu said...

and now I follow because I have a feeling I will fall in LOVE with every project you do!

Lisalulu said...

Art to Heart... WOWza I am totally not that good of a seamstress to even contemplate trying any of the patterns (although those tea towels are to die for)

Joan and Kevin said...

My favorite tool is a rotary cutter. It makes sewing more accurate and faster and better looking.
Jo

quilthexle said...

My favourite tool ... that would be my raised cutting table! I can cut standing at it for hours without any backpain. When I go to class and have to cut with my trusted rotary cutter at a "normal-height" table, my back starts aching almost immediately. So, I'm pretty thankful to my DH who suggested this tool to me! And - I love your giveaway, would love to be the lucky winner!

quilthexle said...

... and I really like your blog (not only your giveaway - but that's really truly a cute one ) so I became a follower! Thanks for offering it!

Anonymous said...

Loved reading your blog, Nadine!! Your applique is beautiful!! I would love to be entered into your give-away.

Sheila Franklin

Anonymous said...

I guess I should have re-read your post before I posted - if I had to pick just one tool, I would have to pick the Perfect Circles by Karen Buckley. They are the best for use in applique, especially when you need circles.

Sheila Franklin

Arya said...

I love my sewing machine. It helped me make cute burp cloths for my baby due in November. It's super easy to use and is a great little workhorse!

arya_wiese@yahoo.com

Arya said...

I love the tidings tea towels - they look simple and elegant and easy for someone whose a beginner.

Arya said...

BTW I am a follower too.

Patty said...

I'm a new follower and just LOVE this! I'm totally a beginner, and this is so cute and inspiring.

Tinke said...

What a beautiful bag you've made there.
My favorite tool is that little thing (don't know the name in english) to destroy your sewings when you've made a mistake (i make a lot in my beginneng sewing-carreer)
Sorry, my english is bad :(

Tinke said...

Love the Bee button of Nancy, because my father is an imker so i must like bees.

Tinke said...

I'm a follower now, so this is my third comment...

Quilter Jones said...

I have been following your blog for quite a while and enjoy it very much. I don't feel that I am so far away from where you are! The giveaway is beautiful which is not a surprise. Thanks for doing the blog!

Hannah F said...

I absolutely love my gingher scissors. I got a set of them from my sewing friends for my 16th birthday! I absolutely love the precision and the way they feel in my hands :)

Hannah Lee said...

I am now a follower of your blog!!

Purple Pam said...

Okay, you know I have been a follower of yours since I started taking applique classes with you at Going To Pieces. My favorite tool is my rotary cutter. How can I choose just one design of Nancy Halvorsen's?

P.S. Will it help to remind you that I adore you?

Natalie Jane said...

The Light Green Plaid Towel - Tea Towel - Darling!

Natalie Jane said...

My best tool is really really nice scissors.

Anne said...

I could not live with out my rotary cutter. thanks for the chance
annemolinoat hotmail dot com

Anne said...

I like the Christmas Pin Ups

Manda said...

I'm brand new to sewing, so I would have to say that my favorite tool right now is "no sew glue" :(

april said...

my favorite tool as of late is my new rotary cutter! don't know how i cut without it (or why it took me so long to discover it - ha!) :)

tutucuteandco{at}yahoo{dot}com

Nancy Sue said...

My favorite "tool" is my mom's sewing machine table. I had to make some adjustments here and there, and widen the insert for my machine, but there is nothing like a flush surface on which to sew!
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Nancy Sue said...

My favorite Nancy design in the Christmas stitchery sampler. With the words for each letter of the word Christmas, I can see that pattern being a great learning tool for my 3 year old.
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Nancy Sue said...

I am a follower now. Thank you for such a lovely giveaway. I so appreciate the favorite tool question, as it's great to read the comments of the other readers for us too.
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Nan S. said...

I love my Fiskars rotary cutter ruler. They don't make it anymore so I really treasure mine.

Jane said...

My favorite tool is the mechanical pencil; more specific: Bohin mechanical ceramic pencil. It glides much smoother, on fabric, than lead and erases much easier.

Jane said...

My favorite Nancy Halvorsen's design is "Bee Attitudes." But the basket is so cute! I just might have to get "Sew Necessary" too!

Jane said...

I'm already a follower...thank you for the opportunity in your give-away!