Black Friday Give-a-way!

One reason for the season is definitely sewing! I do most of my sewing in the colder winter months. To get me started I sewed up some baby gifts. :) Flannel burp cloths. I measured 13x18'' raw and sewed right sides together all the way around the edge using 1/4'' SA leaving a 3'' opening for turning. Then I top stitched around the entire cloth for a finished edge. Quick and easy. I was going to embellish with some homemade patches but I put off making these long enough and they needed to get made!

This has to be my most favorite baby gift to date. Every friend who gets pregnant from here on out will probably get one of these now. I used Michael Miller's organic fleece for the interior and a chocolate brown cotton polka dot (from JoAnns?) for the exterior. Made in much the same way as the burp cloths except I added a hood and little ears! FYI on the MM organic fleece. It shrunk ALOT on the initial wash warm and tumble dry. I purchased 1.5 yards and after washing I was able to make a 30'' square with 9'' left over on one end. But it washed up well and is super soft!
I am also making progress with organizing my sewing stash. I have been rubbing off on some of my local friends since some have started sewing or making other projects with fabric so I was able to pass down many scraps to them. But I bundled up some vintage fabrics (from aprons and old clothes) and vintage sheet scraps to give away here on my blog.

The fabric bits are all different sizes. If you are making a nine patch quilt this would be perfect! If you'd like a chance at winning these scraps just leave a comment on this post. I'll generate a winner this Friday evening. BTW if you happen to be the winner and see blue marker on the scraps, don't be scared it's washable ink.

Alrighty then. Thanksgiving is tomorrow if you forgot to check your calendar and I'm cooking dinner. Jeff's family is driving in and I have prep work to get done today. But my brain hurts. Maybe I should start with a nap.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Success!

I took Liana's advise from my previous posts comments and dug out my cut pattern remnants from the trash and taped the T-shirt pattern back together. I made two adjustments while I was at it by scooping out the neckline more and lengthening it by an inch and a half. And it turned out amazing! It feels so gratifying to actually make something that fits!

Thursday evening after work I stopped at JoAnn's to browse the clearance section and found an olive green jersey knit. After dinner I spent another 4 hours taping the pattern back together, cutting out the fabric, and copying/enlarging/cutting the rose pattern from the Alabama Stitch Book. At midnight I did attempt to start stitching but my eyes started to cross.

So I slept in (on a Friday!) and promptly moved into my sewing chair still in my pj's forgoing breakfast. I spent hours with a thread and needle doing the back stitch and half way through I questioned if the design was really worth all this effort.

Have I ever posted a picture of myself on this blog? I don't think so and if I did I don't think it was very clear. I suppose you now know whose behind the MintBasil blog! P.S. I always forget I have freckles on my lips. When I resized this photo I thought I had food on my mouth!

It's just a t-shirt to anyone else, but this shirt represents the first real success in making suitable clothes for myself. Talk about building up sewing self-esteem. And the reverse applique really makes it and I am happy that I actually successfully pulled off an Alabama project.

This is also my 200th blog post! I wasn't sure if I'd actually stick with this whole blogging thing, but little did I know what an amazing and creative community was waiting for me. I'd like to do a little give-a-way as a thank you for all your encouragement. Just tell me what you love most about this amazing crafting community. (And don't be bashful because I would actually say all the generous give-a-ways!) I'm not sure exactly what it will be, but I have a feeling it will involve fabric and my sewing machine. So leave a comment and make sure there is a way for me to get in contact with you if you win. The give-a-way is open until I blog my 201 post.

Give-a-way Winner(s)

Happy NEW YEAR everyone!

The pot of chili con carne is stewing away in my new enameled cast iron pot (Christmas gift!) getting ready for the Rose Bowl later this afternoon. The dishes are washed. Laundry is dried and ready to be put away. But before I forget let's pick a winner of the calendar. Oh wait. Why not pick winners! I probably have enough ink left to print out 2 more. So without further adieu-

True Random Number Service

List Randomizer

There were 15 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. 17
2. 13
3. 8

# 17 is Amanda Jean
#13 is Pam
# 8 is Ashley Ann

So ladies, if you would please send me your mailing address at leeannhuberATgmailDOTcom.

Thank you everyone who stopped by to enter! I made a list of blogging topics a few days ago and I had a few more give-a-ways on there. So stop back often. :)

2009 Calendar Give-a-way

(photo courtesy of littlebrownpen)

I thought I would get back into blogging with a little give-a-way! This year I made an Etsy purchase through littlebrownpen. You might have seen this shop featured on many sites pre-Dec 25 and I have to say this was an incredible investment. I bought the Keep Calm and Carry On Spoof 2009 Calendar PDF along with a few others. Their 3 for $10 deal is awesome. And I just noticed they are having a Post Holiday Sale on some of their Xmas images. Just make sure you have extra ink for your printers before you get started!

(photo courtesy of littlebrownpen)

Everyone has loved this little calendar and I hope one of you will too! So leave a comment by Wednesday Dec 31st and you could ring in the New Year with my last printed copy of this calendar.

I have yet to punch a hole at the top for hanging, but I'll let the winner decide if they want me to do that or not. Everyone is welcome to participate no matter where you live. Just make sure you leave your email (or I can reply to your comment via email) so I can contact you if you are the winner.

Is New Years Eve really 2 days away?!!

Give-a-way

Head on over to http://www.agiveawayaday.blogspot.com/ to have a chance to win this!

Enjoy your weekend!

Pay It Forward

A few weeks ago, I made my first comment on Lolly's blog and it was to be included in on her Pay It Forward gift exchange. She was really quick with making everything and these wonderful items are already strewn around my home.

Check it out! Hand made cards, fabric covered push pins and magnets, an embroidered drawstring pouch, she made me a beautiful necklace, and she sent along a laminated measurement card that you can download from her blog. Isn't it all so very cool?!?

Here's a closer look of the interior of one of the cards. I just love that stamp detail at the bottom. I want stationary made like that! Between A Very Mary and Lolly I am hooked up on the handmade cards! Love it!

So this means that it's my turn to Pay It Forward. Here are the rules:

I agree to send something fun, cute, and nice to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on. If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment! International readers, feel free to comment too!

You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who comment on your blog so that this continues. When the first three have commented I will email you a request for your shipping address and I will send out something that I hope will make you smile!

And here is an extra added bonus. I will randomly select one other person from the comments as well, just in case you weren't one of the first 3 people to comment and still would like to participate. That selection will happen, oh lets say, Wednesday evening. Fair enough? Just make sure I can reply to your comment via email or leave you email in the comments section so I can contact you.

Oh, and I only promise you'll get these items before Xmas. :)

Bag Give-a-way

What I love most about sewing is the entire learning process. It's satisfying. It's tactile. It's colorful. It's a process. And you have to start somewhere.

One of the first patterns I purchased was the Amy Butler Swing Bag pattern. I purchased the pattern so I would learn how to seamlessly line a tote with handles sewn in the top seam. And what a great learning experience. I remember taking the time to prepare the fabric, read and rereading the directions, and taking it one step at a time.

I used a very rich colored plum deco weight fabric for the exterior and coordinating floral pattern for the interior. The bag is reversible too. I even made my first ever fabric flowers that were included in another pattern of Amy Butlers. They are attached with safety pin backs.

But unfortunately this bag has just been hanging in my closet and it deserves a new life with one of you. So, if are so inclined leave a comment by Friday and this could be yours. :)

Give-a-ways

Can you believe every battery in the house is dead? I have two chargers working overtime just so I can get a pair of AA's in working order to download pictures from the camera.

But as I sifted through 1200 new blog posts, I noticed that there were quite a few crafty give-a-ways going on. Here's a review. Enter away!

Bee Square Blog- Mistake Mondays!

CraftyPod- offering up a handmade futuregirl crochet bird bag!

Tula Pink- a new bag and charm pack of her new fabric line Nest!

Indie-Pendence- July edition of Swag-a-Licious. Very nice indeed.

Piece of Mind- super cute handmade greeting cards!

Simply Green- you know those celebrity gift bags they get for attending fancy shows... ya... you could have your own.

Craft Apple- Brand new, fresh from the publishers Tiny Yarn Animals book by Tammie Snow.

**Edit/ Addition** Wee Wonderfuls- Winners choice!

And there will be a few give-a-ways right here throughout the month of August! So check back soon! (This might have something to do with the cleaning of the sewing room this weekend. Just maybe.)

Winner!

Sorry this is late! But with out further adieu:

Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 38 -- Unsorted Job Status:

Set #1: 5

So commenter #5 is SARAH! So Sarah, please email me your address and which pin cushion you want and it will be in the mail shortly! Thank you all who commented! I really do enjoy this little space I have here. And if you didn't win the remaining pin cushions will be listed on etsy soon. AND, I think my one year is coming up too. I need to double check that date.

Right. Off to work. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

100th post!

Jeff is helping me move some storage into my sewing area today, so yesterday I had to clean up everything. In the middle of moving items around, I rediscovered my 4 year quilt project.


So last night I sat down in front of the TV indian style watching missed episodes of project runway and top model. They really are the perfect TV entertainment to watch during sewing projects. I have 4 .5 blocks left to embroider and then the edge to finish off. I almost don't want to finish it because the whole project has lost its appeal to me. I am really glad my sewing skills improved from when I started this. I wish I had made some different design decisions. I wish I would have chosen different fabrics. I wish I would of had money 4 years ago to find the right materials. But you know what's fun about sewing with recycled denim? You get the most pleasing color variation across the spread. It really is beautiful in that respect.

And this is a day of celebration! Not only am I hoping to finish the hand sewing portion of my 4 Year Quilt, but it's my hundredth post today! So in true blogger fashion, I will be giving away one of the pin cushions below. I was just going to post my favorite, but I liked them all, so winner can chose which one she wants.


Winner will be chosen Wednesday evening. Thank you all for reading and commenting!

Button Love.

I sewed up my first pillow from the sweater. I documented all the steps and improvements I should make for the next time. This is definitely a process that will improve over time. Dead batteries for the camera = no pics.

But I want to let Roxanne know she will be getting some buttons in the mail. I googled a random number generator and it choose #1o.

Also, Vallen and Diana will be getting some of my thrift store remnants.

More free stuff

I washed, ironed, and folded all that new fabric last night. Now I just have to tackle the real laundry. Later.

However, when I was putting that fabric away I found a bag of the following items. You know when you get those great thrifting finds, you sometimes have to bring the baggage home too? And not that any of the following items are bad in any way, they are just not my thing or I currently don't feel inspired by them. But I know someone will be!

So if you feel that you can use any of the 3 following items just say so in a note. Then I'll group you all together according to your likes and pick a name. I'll do this drawing and the button drawing tomorrow evening. FYI- you'll need to wash these when you get them.

Purple lace- there are a few scraps and one large continuous piece (perhaps more than a yard).

Pink ladies- I know someone will have a ball with this. There could be almost 2 yards of this. The fabric is sheer.

Roses- I got these two fabrics at different times, but they seem to work well together. I would consider these large scrap pieces. Large enough to make a pocket or zipper pouch.

Free Money Loot and Nice Fun Mail

When I walked in the door last night from work, my husband said that I "exceeded my daily allotment of fun mail for the day!" What a great thing to come home to!

First off, I received my end of the Pumpkin Spice Coffee swap with Jenn. I really made out. She sent me several pieces of the softest wool felt ever! Along with some "melt my heart" polka dot linen, silks and buttons. There is some Japanese trim around somewhere, but it must have been on my sewing table when I took this photo. Thanks so much Jenn! I really loved it all! And my order from SewMamaSew arrived. Remember the "free money" I got from work. Part of it went towards this.
And I stopped in my local JoAnn Fabrics last night for some dark denim (which happened to be 50% off!). Little did I know that my JoAnn's sits right next door to a Goodwill. A match made in heaven. I also picked up a few other sale items/remnants. The lady cutting my fabric was a doll. She was generous when she cut my yardage and even gave me an additional 10% off coupon that I could use that day!
And my fun money bought me a 1/2 gallon jar full of old buttons and wooden spools!
I really apologize for the picture quality. Early morning daylight hours are not the most ideal conditions (especially with my camera). I must of took a dozen photo's of my button jar and this was the best I could come up with. Terrible I know!

Regardless of the picture quality, I wanted to share some button love. I picked this jar because of its overwhelming colors! (Yes, there where TWO jars available!) So let's say I give you until Friday evening to leave a note for a huge fistful of buttons. I'm just going to stick my hand in and you get whatever comes out. Wooden spools and all. It's kinda like those quarter claw games when you always get a prize. Except you don't even need to pay a quarter. Nice huh!

birthday and swap goodness

Where did last week get to? Isn't sunshine and great weather the best?

I need to follow up on my birthday still. Jeff really was in tune to my "want" list this year. I was very surprised to see the following two prints all wrapped up.

Aren't they so pretty? I had been eyeing them for months over at BunanART's etsy shop. I just love her style. I have always had the image of a kitchen gallery wall in my mind. So I have been picking up inexpensive food related prints/paintings to make it someday. The only thing that has to match is the subject matter. I may try to make all the frames either light or dark, but that would depend on the colors of my future kitchen. These prints are really great. They look like the real painting!

Since I last wrote I got blue screened by my laptop and somehow lost all my bookmarks. So all my lovely crafting sites were lost. :( My blog reading has severely decreased. I need to find everyone not on my little blog roll and add them now. But I did manage to catch the swap Katie is hosting over at her blog See Katie Sew. Swap what you have in a flat rate box or envelope. I think the deadline was yesterday but she did post that she needed another person to make it even. Go check it out if you are interested.

And I got my partner for the Yellow and Orange Swap! Yippee! We have been emailing back and forth and it looks like another great match up. Her name is Elsie and already has been successfully making and selling aprons and pillowcase dresses. But she has no blog. :( Let's encourage Elsie to get one up and running so we can all be inspired by her!

Before I wrap this up and don't want to forget to annouce my birthday give-a-way winners!
I asked my husband to pick 2 numbers between 1 and 18. He said "one" and "nine". The second time he choose the first noter. So congrats Trying Momma and Jenn Maruska! I don't have either of your email addresses , so go ahead and send me your address to leeannhuber@gmail.com and I'll put the items in the mail.

Birthday Party!

It's a day of celebration for sure. We are celebrating my 6th anniversary of my 20th birthday. It's a good day. I didn't have to work today so I headed into town to find some beads to finish up some necklaces I had planned. I also hit a thrift store and an old "antique" place. The antique place is really just an old building piled full of junk. Lots of sorting and searching must take place to find something good.

I did find a box of half finished sewing projects and came home with a few good fabric prints. The following is a handful of fabric samples from a special order only fabric rack.


The receipt in the bag dates the circle fabric to 1984. Not too terribly long ago, but then again I was 3 years old. In the top right corner you'll see a blue and white print. That is actually an old flour sack! Score 10pts for me! I love coming home with stuff like that. It has some discoloration but I hope a good soaking will take care of that.

I was also surprised by a couple of my fellow bloggers who were kind enough to think of me on my birthday!

Lindsey made me one of her very beautiful necklaces. I am wearing it today. If you would like to get yourself an early (belated) birthday present, you can find these here.

And my lovely Canadian crafter/author/blogger Ann-Margret sent me two different fabric prints. I think I'll be making some fabric headbands out of these.


But it wasn't all fun and games today. I did set up another photo shoot and added some items to my Etsy shop. (Who am I kidding? Photo shoots are FUN!) This pincushion fabric came from a vintage apron I picked up a few days ago. I altered it to become an apron to tie around the waist and have just the right amount of fabric leftover to make a pincushion. You'll never get another one like it!


I thought since this is my birthday that I would do a little give-a-way! I'll throw in some of those fabric remnants I found today and a few other odds and ends like vintage buttons. You'll have to make sure to wash the fabric when you get it. I'll pick 2 names my next post. But who knows when that will be. Just leave a note!

Sharing the Love

Just because it's a Thursday.....


And a few weeks back I found these great bridge tally cards. I made them into gift tags. But, alas, I have no gifts to give. Except to you.


So leave a note. I am giving away 2 sets of 4 gift tags today. Pick which design you want.

Gosh. I remember when Thursdays meant Thirsty Thursdays. Now I am off on a Thrifting Thursday event. Maybe I can tie the first alliteration in somehow.