Pincushion Pattern Review and a nice surprise for my readers

Back in February, I contacted Rana regarding doing a review on one of her pincushion patterns that are part of her Pincushion Of The Month programme. She accepted my offer, and it was agreed that I would do the March POM, which happens to be a Daffodil Pincushion, and as you can see from the pic above, it's a cute one.

The pattern is very well written and even though I admit that I looked at the pic on it and panicked, all my fears and panic were shoved aside as I read the instructions and managed to produce a pincushion that I love. (I've actually given mine to a friend who is a cancer survivor, seens as though Daffodils are a symbol for the Cancer Council of Sth Australia)

All up, from sorting through (read finding amongst my rather large collection of fabric) suitable fabrics, to the time I took the photo of the completed pincushion, it took 90 mins, yes, just 1 & 1/2 hours to complete this little beauty.

The image above is borrowed from Rana's pattern & Kit information page, just to show how hers look and how similar mine came out when following the pattern.

The pattern called for crushed walnut shells, but as I don't have any, mine is just stuffed with poly fill, but I don't believe that distracts at all from the pincushions overall attractiveness, right?

Following the pattern (yes I know, shock, horror and amazement that I actually do follow patterns to the letter from time to time) you will be amazed at how thorough, yet simplistic, Rana's pattern is. Given that the instructions in the pattern are so exact, that even an advanced beginner could make these and have them turn out exactly like the picture on the pattern.

I still can't believe that the pincushion was made as easily as it was...who knew I could read how to make it, and that it would look how it was supposed to!

Now onto the surprise for my readers, Rana (thank you by the way hun) has very generously offered a free pattern for one of my lucky readers, because believe me, you'll love making the Daffodil Pincushion. All you need to do is:

1. Leave a comment, it can be any comment, but it would be nice for Rana if you left a comment about the Daffodil pincushion I made.
2. Make sure I have a way to contact you, as Rana will organise to get the pattern to you direct. If I can't contact you, then I can't provide contact details to Rana. If you don't leave a way of being contacted, I will just do the draw again until I find someone who I'm able to contact.

I'll use Mr Random.org to pick the lucky winner on March 31st, 2012 and announce the winner on here and also via email directly to the winner. Good luck You don't have to, but if you'd like to share the giveaway either on your blog, Facebook or Twitter, that would be really swell, thanks.

If you aren't lucky enough to win a copy of the pattern, they are available here, also available are kits which include enough to make 2 pincushions...how cool is that?

Swap Reveal & Show 'n' Tell

Recently I entered a Notebook/Journal Cover swap here...and tonight I got confirmation that my partner has received her cover, so I can share pics of it.....I did actually buy a pattern similar to the one I made, but alas, the person I got it from is away for a few more days, so it wouldn't have arrived in time for the deadline, so I cut and sewed the BG Notebook cover. I've written down the measurements, so it'll be interesting to see how close to the mark my measurements were hey?

This is the front of the notebook/journal cover. I even managed to stitch the flap in the right way round and on the correct piece when I attached the binding...do I sound pretty chuffed with myself? You betcha!

This shows how I set up the interior for Barb. She has a choice of notebooks, depending on what she's wanting to use them for....both notebooks are easily replaced, and readily available here in Australia. Glad you like it Barb.

Now for the Show & Tell part of this post.....I'm a member of a craft forum, which you too can join, by clicking here. This year, Vicki is hosting a Sampler BOM experience....so I'm participating....I've done 2 of the 6 blocks so far....one each month, but, in my defence that is all I HAVE to do, the other 2 a month are bonus ones....if I say it often enough, I'll believe it, lol

I don't think I put last months on here yet, so I'll put that one up first. This one is the Baby Bud block, and you can find the tutorial for it here.

Then with this months', the Balkan Puzzle block, which you can find the tutorial for, here. I decided to sew 1/2" away from the 'sewed on' line and cut between the two rows of stitching....thus giving me 16 hst's, which I trimmed to 2 & 1/2" HST's and played around with layouts until I found one I liked....and tah-dah...if anyone happens to know the name of the smaller block, can they please leave a comment with the name of it? Thanks.

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll have more swappy type show and tell soon, as the Easter swap parcel is on it's way to it's new owner and should arrive soon. Please leave a comment, even if it's just to say hi, it's nice to know that someone is reading my blog still!

B-I-N-G-O

I've played a couple of rounds of Quilt Bingo in the past, but this is something new.....You make your own BINGO card and supply it to Tonya before April 22nd to be eligible. If you want to find out more or sign up for it yourself, then click on the Fabric bingo card above. You will notice that there's a link for a tutorial to make your own BINGO card, but I've also put that link HERE for you. My Mum (RIP Jannyman) loved going to Bingo, and was quite lucky, so I like to play in her memory....wish me luck!

Fun and Done QAYG YouTube video

I'm not sure if this is going to work, but I have everything crossed. I love the simplicity and speed of this method and the fact that there's no hand sewing (lol) and it's all quilted and ready to be used (unless you're going to wash it that is) the minute you stitch the last stitch. Gonna have a go at making one of these....I don't have the ruler she uses, and have had a quick squizz on the net for one, but it proved too hard so I've given up and will just 'wing it' lol

Stay tuned to see how I go, as I'll post progress pics when I do try it.

My first Friday Night Sew In (March 16th)

I've been wanting to do this for a while now, but timing hasn't been right (like how I make it sound like I'm always uber busy lol?) however, this time I'll be there and will be sewing. If you want to join the others, and there's people from everywhere participating, then click on the button above to go sign up.....it's this Friday crafty guys and gals! Now I'll have to work out the time difference so I don't prematurely sew in!