And the winner is.... Val!

Val has won the drawing for the book...Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski by Laura McCabe. I highly recommend it as a good buy for all!Here was Val's comment: "A beaded rivoli a month sounds like fun! The cabochons are lovely. The white with the pearls look bridal, and the purplish-pink is sweet. Oh, a book draw? Please count me in. I love doing these little projects when I have the time and inspiration too."Congrats Val...and thanks to all left comments. Wishing y'all better luck next time!Hugs!

Winners...and winner may-be's...my soap box.

It's only 9:25 on Monday night...so there is still a couple of hours before the Give-a-ways for the 500 followers closes. But, I've been going back through the comments...and am surprised at the number of deletes I have had to do...because there is no way to contact folks. So, thought that while it's fresh on my mind...I'd share some issues. If you want to enter drawings or give-a-ways...please keep these in mind.
You are responsible to leave your email or contact information...I am not going to run around trying to determine what your email is...and I don't think that it is reasonable for anyone to expect me to. Afterall, I spend my own money to purchase gifts for the drawing...and will spend more money to mail items to the winners...AND I DON'T MIND. If I did...I would not have drawings. What I do mind...is having to decipher who is who and what is their email address....my time is very limited.
Update your profile so that your email is available with your NAME is clicked in the comments you leave.
Make your profile public...cause I can't see it if it isn't...and can't get to your email address to notify you.
Please don't just say this is Josy Brown in Milwalkee...even if I know a Josy in Milwalkee...it is not fair to everyone else that follows the rules and leaves their contact information for me to "assume" that you are the "Josy Brown" that I know in Milwalkee...there could be others. 
Simply put...please follow the rules. So, sorry...but several comments have been deleted because I have no contact information included...and that was one of my rules...and I don't make things difficult...just leave a comment and contact information. If you think I'm being unfair...sorry...just trying to be fair.  And, I'm HUGE on being fair...so please consider updating your profile and making it pubic before entering any contests...you might win!And thanks for the Anonymous entries that included emails in their comment..you are IN the drawings.. Now, it's 7:44 A.M. Tuesday Morning...and Aidan is off to school. The winners have been selected. I ran a random number generator of the total valid entries (those with links back to profiles, or including emails in the comment). And, before announcing the winners...let me say that if you are reading this...and left a comment...go to your comment, click on your name to get to your profile, Do you see an Email link? If not...you might have just lost out on a great book...because I had to try 4 times to give the Redwork Book away...the first 3 profiles did not have email addresses. And I tried 5 times to give the Crewelwork Book away...same issue. Seriously, I'm not ranting...I'm trying to help. Update you profiles! Hugs!
Now, FINALLY...the winners have been sent an email...and have 24 hours to respond back with their mailing address. Or, I draw again...
WINNERS:DAY ONE - Trish Burr Finest Flowers Book is AztecLady.DAY TWO - Crewel Work is Anonymous Susie Wolfe.DAY THREE - Redwork is Magpie's MumblingsDAY FOUR - Silk Shading is Bobbi PohlDAY FIVE - StitchoPedia is USAGypsy
CONGRATS to the Winners! Thanks to all why left comments...better luck next time...and, there will be a next time...so get those profiles updated! Hugs!

Party On! Day Five...

For the last day of our Party...celebrating our 500 Followers...we have a Stupendous Book!Stitch-opedia..claims right on the front cover to be "the only embroidery reference you'll ever need". And, I think that they might be right! Certainly it is a good beginning!The book is spiral bound...love that!The book includes sections on materiels and equipment, techniques, mounting and framing, designing...AND covers a multitude of embroidery...stumpwork, blackwork, crewel work, canvas work, hardanger, pulled work, and even a little freestyling!"There is nothing as beautiful as a wonderfully-worked embroidery design, either used to adorn clothing or as an embellishment on a home accessory. Now a new generation is rediscovering the pleasures of the centuries-old craft. Written for beginners and experts alike, Stitch-Opedia describes in detail hundreds of embroidery stitches. Each stitch is grouped into sections that include: canvas work, crewel work, hardanger, pulled work, stumpwork and much more. Each stitch includes close-up, detailed color photographs, a full-color working diagram, and accurate written instructions. An extremely helpful alphabetical listing with close-up thumbnail photographs appears later in the book allowing the user to cross-reference each stitch. With sections on materials and equipment, basic techniques, and a collection of motifs that can be either copied or transferred to fabric, this beautifully-designed, full-color book is sure to attract newcomers and experts alike with its combination of convenience and creative encouragement."
So...what are you waiting for...Go leave a comment to enter the drawing!
And check back tomorrow...to see who the winners are for our five days of give-a-ways!

Party On! Day Four...

When looking for books to purchase for this party, I could not decide on just one Royal School of Needlework Books to get...so got both the Crewelwork book for Day Two...and Silk Shading for Day Four!And, both are marvelous books! The Silk Shading is also a spiral bound book...and I have really had a hard time with giving it up for the contest since reviewing it since it's arrival!"Suitable for beginners as well as professionals, this handbook provides an in-depth look at the art of “needle painting” and offers techniques using long and short stitches and blending and merging colors to create beautifully shaded embroideries.Just leave a comment to enter the drawing.

Party On! Day Three...

Today, our prize is all about RedWork!This inspiring book contains tons of designs first published in The WorkBasket...and now compiled by Rebecca Kemp Brent...along with descriptions of several projects for their use as well."Redwork embroidery, long admired for its simple, homey designs, is more popular than ever. And what better source for great redwork designs than The WORKBASKET®, a classic magazine with a 60-year tradition of providing readers with great, do-able crafting projects. Now Redwork from The WORKBASKET makes it easy to re-create the warm, nostalgic feel of vintage redwork designs on your linens, aprons, even quilts, whether you embroider by hand or machine"The book has 100 designs for machine or hand embroidery included on a handy compact disc.So, leave a comment to enter the drawing!

Party On! Day Two...

Today, we have an Essential Stitch Guide from the Royal School of Needlework as our Day Two prize...in celebration of 500 followers.Here is what Amazon has to say about this book:

"Exquisite and timeless, the needlework portrayed in these guides promotes the Royal School of Needlework’s mission to keep the art of hand embroidery alive in the 21st century. Focusing on some of the oldest and most essential stitches and patterns, the books in this craft series are spiral-bound and lay flat on the table. Step-by-step photographic instructions on framing and transferring designs are included, as are introductory histories to each technique. Sections of patterns, along with pictures of finished pieces that demonstrate how to correctly use the patterns, help crafters take their needlework to new heights of artistry.

 Focusing on crewelwork, an enduring craft technique that uses wool and a variety of different embroidery stitches to follow a design outline applied to the fabric, this needlework resource demonstrates how to produce beautiful and detailed work."

The book is spiral bound for ease of use...and is just loaded down with gorgeous color diagrams of stitch instructions!

So, leave a comment to be included in the drawing!

Woot! Woot! Woot! Let's Party!

We have hit 500 followers...and I'm glad to have each of you along for my crazy ride. Remember last month...I promised a give-a-way when we hit 500...well, let's get the party going!! For the next five days...I'll post a prize each day. On the sixth day, I'll pick winners for each day from that day's comments...via the random number generator. You will have until midnight (CST) on the January 16th to leave your comments. All of the five winners will be listed on the sixth day..and each has 24 hours to response to me or another name will be pulled. Each comment must be valid (i.e. a "real person") ...no spammers welcome here! I must be able to send you an email...so make sure your profile is up to date...So, if you want a chance to win...just leave a comment on that day's post. That's it...no linking back, no questions to answer, no products to select from...just leave a valid comment. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun...international folks too!Here is the first prize up for grabs...

 Redoute's Finest Flowers in Embroideryby Trish BurrYep...this is a treasure for sure! Gorgeous stitching, and wonderful instructions!Here's what one reviewer has to say about this great book:  “Trish Burr has painstakingly recreated blooms from the paintings of 19th century botanical artist Pierre Joseph Redoute in exquisite embroidery. Using only the simplest stitches, she provides instructions, illustrations and photo- graphs to take you step-by-step through stitching 17 beautiful buds—roses, lilies, birds of paradise, dahlias, magnolias and more. A gorgeous gift for anyone with a passion for flowers or needlework.”—Vogue Patterns. So...leave a comment for a chance to win! Hugs!

Congrats...we have a winner!

Well today we have a winner! Random Generator picked #21 of our contest post as the winner of some dyed lace and a beaded cabochon. This was in celebration of our reaching 450 followers. We'll have another drawing (5 drawings actually) when we reach 500!

And number 21 post is from Mosaic Magpie! So, I'll be emailing you Deb...and you have 24 hours to respond back with a mailing address for me to send your goodies too.

"MosaicMagpie said...You have so many followers, because people know a good thing when they see it!
Deb"
 

Wow...just think!

Last month, on 17 September...we had a drawing to celebrate 400 followers! And, one month later...we're up to almost 450! That stupendous! So, let's have a drawing when we hit 450!!! We'll be drawing for some hand dyed lace!!! And one of my beaded Czech Glass Dragonfly Buttons!

AND, I want all of you to know that when we reach 500...we will celebrate with a stupendious give-a-way! So, put the word out...we only need 50 more...and we did that many in one month!!How would you like a nice big box of wonderful and gorgeous CQ goodies...and more!!As a matter of fact...let's just have 5 prizes! One for each of our 100 followers.Wonder how long it will take to get the next 50? Just comment below...to enter the 450 drawing for some dyed lace and this gorgeous beaded dragonfly button cabochon! And...yes, I'll mail to international! We'll select the winner from all the comments by random number generator...you qualify if I can reach you by email. Wonder who our #450 follower will be? Hmmm...that should be a prize too...don't you think? If you are number 4-5-0...email me! Edited to add: Congrats to Jennifer C. of Australia for being #450; and I'll send her some dyed lace for that. And it didn't take but a couple of hours to get to450...yeah!  I forgot to set a deadline for drawing entries...so let's make it midnight on Friday, EST. Saturday I'll post the winner!

Free Quilt Show, Lot's of Men, and Prizes Too!

Have you been to the quilt show yet...

 

MEN QUILT TOO!!

There are GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!! 

 

Check out my friend Thearica's blog...enter for drawings each day...and view some beautiful quilts in her Linky's at the bottom of her blog page!!

Pigtales and Quilts

 

400 Followers!!! Let's have another Drawing!! Winner Selected!!

Wow, during the night...we went over 400 Followers! Awesome!So, let's celebrate!!How about a new book...of Embroidery Designs...400+ easy embroidery designs!Doodle Stitching, The Motif Collection by Amiee Ray. 

 It comes with a CD of the designs, so they can be enlarged!and includes 17 projects to give you ideas of what to make. This is a wonderful book with tons of little embroidery designs just right to add to small projects or CQ Blocks. Just leave a comment so I know you want to be entered and I'll pick a winner first thing Monday. So you have until midnight (CST) on Sunday to comment. And, make sure I can reach you...so update your profile to allow public viewing...or add your email address to you comment.

UPDATE: Monday, 8:14 am. WE HAVE A WINNER!I listed all the valid comments and there were 55. (Sorry, couldn't count those that posted after midnight, or repeat posters, or anonymous without a contact) and used a random generator to pick the winning number. The winning number was 54! And that is Turtle! So, an email has been sent and hopefully she will respond within the next 24 hours to claim her prize.

Button Drawing Winner...Maybe!!??

A couple of days ago...we had a little contest...for a free button from my Etsy shoppe. It ended Sunday (i.e. midnight last night...CST). So, today, I sat down and wrote little slips with the name and button selection of all the folks that left comments. Here they all are:

Then I selected a winner...and it was Wendy (maybe...keep reading). 

 Wendy's comment said "I love them all, but since I have to choose, it would be B112 the blue flower button...just gorgeous!". 

 However, Wendy's profile is not set to public so I can not see her profile information and get her email address...and she did not include it in her comment...SOOOOO....have no way of contacting her. So, Wendy...normally, I'd pick a new winner. But, since I did not state these "guidelines" in the original post...and to be completely fair...you have 24-hours to contact me with your mailing address so I can send your prize to you. (By 12:30 CST tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/12/2011)

If Wendy, does not email me (or comment here on this post with her email address) I will pick a new winner. So, right now...I'm saving my bowl of slips along with Wendy's button...just in case. UPDATE: Wendy send me her mailing address...and her button went into the mail today. Thanks to all who played...we'll do it again real soon!

I'm Drowning!!! Let's have a Give-a-Way!

I'm drowning... in CLUTTER!! And it just keeps getting worse! I've pulled out so many things to de-clutter...and this week, it was books! This is not easy work! I have selected about half of my bookshelf to "dispose" of...around 60+ books. But, to put them on the Studio site..they have to be photographed...then the webpage has to be built. Actually, several pages...because I like a variety of subjects...cross-stitch, quilting, silk ribbon, etc...etc. So, for the past two days I'm stuck working on this laptop and with my books surrounding me! It is more mess than when I began! But, I am so looking forward to when all of this stuff has found a new home, and is being enjoyed by someone...instead of just sitting on my shelves gathering dust! I hope to have all of the pages ready for publishing today or tonight!!

 And to add to the problem...these (and about 20 more styles) of gorgeous Czech Glass Buttons arrived this past week! I have spent more computer time...loading them on my Etsy shop! 

 Yes, I'm adding to the "clutter" as I am disposing! But, the Etsy will be limited only to cabochons, buttons, and my autographed book! This square button is my favorite! What is your favorite? Oh, I know...let's have a little contest! 

 You pick a favorite style button from the Etsy shop...and come back and post a comment here...Tell me your favorite! On, Sunday...I'll pick a winner and you get your favorite button! I'd appreciate your passing the work along that the buttons have arrived in the shop as well of course. Hugs! PS: Books are now loaded on the Studio....and next, I'm going to start working on photographs, etc of PATTERNS!

Winners Have Been Notified!

 Winners of the Mother's Day Drawing have been selected via Random Number Generator, and have been notified. We had 91 entries in total! (Less comments, but some comments counted for multiple entries according to the rules posted).

 First Prize goes to "Connie". Go check out her blog and congratulate her!

The next prize "French Pages" goes to "Sara Beth". She also blogs!...go check it out here!

 And, the last prize "Love" goes to "Joyce Clark Frank". You can check her blog out here!

Congratulations to all the winners!

 We'll do another contest soon! I think it's about time to give some more jewelry away!...so stay tuned!

Found a great blog!

Leelou has a super great blog. And she has lot's of give-a-ways...so go check her out! Become a follower to keep up with all of her great contest!

Beautiful Blog...and a Contest!

I just discovered this beautiful blog! And check out this great contest too! But it ends on Sunday night...so better hurry and "hop" on over!

Seriously??!!

Can you say C-O-M-F-O-R-T-A-B-L-E!! This is Sam...Aidan's temporary puppy...he goes home on Monday. He is sound asleep!

This is one of those photos that might have a funny caption underneath it. So, let's have some fun...the winning caption posted in a comment on this post will win a new set of embroidery and beading needles! Deadline for entries will be midnight (my time, CST) on Sunday night. I'll post the winner here on Monday morning.

CONGRATS TO SHIRLEY C.! She won the needles. Here's her caption: "If I snore on my back, just flip me over!" Shirley, I send you an email...as soon as I get your address I'll get these into the mail to you.

Blah, blah, blah...

I've just got the blahs! Can't seem to shake them. Very little stitching is getting accomplished over the past couple of days. So, drastic measures are in order...I'm going to attempt to clear out all the junk from my sewing room! If you don't hear from me in a couple of days...send in a search party!But, before I dive in...let me make sure to thank two OWOH sister bloggers for mailing their prizes to me so quickly. I entered about 500 blog contests...and won 4 of them. Considering my luck with bingo and lotto...this percentage is phenominal for me! I expected to be selected to win none!

Knutz Els of the Netherlands sent me some beautiful cards! Aren't these gorgeous!

And Rebecca of California maled me a very nice hard cover book on making wreaths! Thank you ladies for being so prompt with your mailings!

Woot! Woot! It's Better than Christmas...

I won again! And you just won't believe what it is....my love..my passion (well one of them anyway)...

Swarvoski crystal! Isn't this a gorgeous beaded tassle! Oh, I hope I can make something as wonderful as this one day! I'm following Sharon's blog SharDon Exclusives to get inspiration and enjoy all of her eye candy! So, if you like to bead...come on over and you can drool over her wonderful creations along with me!

I won, I won! ...and again!

It is hard for me to believe...but look what will shortly be mine!

Isn't it pretty!!! I commented on over 500 posts during the recent One World One Heart event...and actually visited all of the sites...over 800 of them! However, I did not have time to stay long at most of them because I was flying around visiting! Of course, some of them caught my eye right away...and I could tell that specific "blog" and I would become good friends...so I became a "follower" and will be keeping an eye out for their wonderful posts. Others were interesting to read and view different artist talents...but, the blogs were not "right" for my interests...so I simply enjoyed the brief visit. And a couple scared me even!

During the visits...I hoped that I would win at least one little thing after commenting on over 500 sites...but when I woke up this morning...there were no "congratulation" emails for me. No great surprise really...as my luck really is not good with this sort of things. [This is the reason I stopped buying lotto tickets!]

Then around noon...I got a real surprise. An email from Dale Ann of "Chronicles of Whimsy"...with notice that I had won something! And not just a simple something...but this astonishing necklace. It will be my new talisman of good-luck! If you have a minute...hop on over and check out Dale Ann's blog...and her stupendous artistic endeavors!!

EDITED TO ADD:
Oh my...I've won again! Becky of ArtBeckons emailed me today...and I won a great book on wreaths! Check this out!

I can't wait to get it. Becky does multi-media art...which is not usually my "thing"...but her site is full of great ideas...so worth my visit there. Go check it out...you might get hooked by her posts and let loose your Artsy Self!