Midwest Family Life giveaway

Giveaway now closed!
Winner -- Mary on Lake Pulaski. :)

 As a mama who tries to work from home, I like to support others who do as well!

Meet Midwest Family Life!

I met Erika through blogland, and a few months ago (yes, it's been that long!) She asked if I would host a giveaway for her. She sent Scarlet this adorable hat and purse as a thank you, and is offering a $20 shop credit to a winner here!

Scarlet really likes her little purse, and often fills it with her babies, or princesses or jewelry.

Initially she wouldn't let me take a picture of her with her bonnet, but she finally did! :) 

To enter:

- Go to Midwest Family Life etsy shop and pick what you'd like if you win! There are GREAT baby shower gifts in there if you don't have littles at home. Leave a comment.

- For a second entry, Like Midwest Family life on Facebook. Leave a comment and let me know.

Winner picked Saturday. :)

So Pretty Christmas Star

I'm back with my Christmas in July tutorial with Sew Lux Fabric!

Chrissy has set up a series of tutorials this week, including a link up, coupon code, and prizes at the end! :)

I was working with the 25th and Pine line from Basic Grey. I plan to turn this block in to a table topper, but for now, here is my So Pretty Christmas block!



The pattern will be available for free on Craftsy for a limited time, and then I'll turn it in to a full-fledged block pattern with multiple sizes.

...when I finish this one in progress.

The pattern is compatible with a charm pack, a little background, and some larger scraps (5" x 6 1/2" is the largest size needed -- info is in the pattern).

The pattern includes the paper piecing templates, directions, and a coloring page!

(it does not include a full paper piecing tutorial...)



Enjoy! ♥

Source: So Pretty Star via traceyjay on Craftsy

wip Wednesday - Pretty star

I need a name for this block pattern I'm working on for the SewLux Christmas tutorials with SewLuxFabric.

It will be up tomorrow morning... right now, the top contender is "Pretty Star." :)

I had a different plan, but this felt more inspired. 

I do not love paper piecing, so I needed to test the pattern to write it up, and figure out the cutting sizes, etc. 

I had this pretty stack I was really anxious to use...

Gah! See??? Pretty star. :)

It took me 3 quadrants to get measurements I was happy with, so I would only need to cut once. :)

Now to stitch it up in this pile! See you tomorrow morning! :)

Christmas in July

I'm happy to announce I'll be participating in a little Christmas in July sew along with Sew Lux Fabric.

I will be working with this beautiful bundle of 25th and Pine

And here is my inspiration for my tutorial! Won't this make the cutest Christmas pillow?

Here's a little more info!

___________________________

While the holidays arrive at the same time each and every year, it never fails that they seem to sneak up on so many of us.  Our goal with this series is to help you get a jump on your holiday sewing by sharing tutorials as well as providing an opportunity to link up your projects and win some great prizes !  Like last year, we've enlisted the help of some friends who will be working with one of six different Christmas in July bundles and preparing a fun holiday tutorial for the series.

With bundles from designers like Kate Spain, Basic Grey, Gina Martin and more there's something for everyone!   And this week you can save 10% on all of our featured Christmas in July Bundles with coupon code NICELIST.  Offer ends 7/13/14.

Here's our Schedule of Events for the Series:

• July 7th - Series Announcement & Bundle Sale
• July 14th - Solstice Wreath Mini Tutorial (See that cute wreath in our series button image? We'll show you how to make it here on the Sew Lux Blog!)
• July 21st - Sewing with Winter Wonderland - Lee of May Chappell
• July 22nd - Sewing with Be Jolly - Chrissy of Sew Lux
• July 23rd - Sewing the Folk Art Holiday - Sarah of Stitching & Bacon AND Megan of Quilt Story
• July 24th - Sewing with 25th & Pine - Tessa of The Sewing Chick AND Tracey of traceyjay quilts
• July 25th - Sewing with Solstice - Christen of Love by Hand AND Stephanie of Quarter Incher
• July 21-August 4th - Linky open to link up your projects
• August 5th - Winner Announced

Sew with Us!

To encourage you all to also get a start on your holiday sewing, we're offering up some prizes!  All you have to do is make a project using one of the tutorials from the series and link it up by August 4th!  You can use a bundle or fabric from your stash - it only has to use one of our 9 tutorials from this series!

Prizes

There will be two winners chosen at random and announced on August 5th. International friends are welcome to participate - your prize will be included with your shipment upon redeeming your gift certificate.

• Grand Prize: $50 gift certificate to Sew Lux Fabric, a set of 6 You're Sew Nice cards, and an assortment of three patterns by May Chappell
• 1st Prize: $25 gift certificate to Sew Lux Fabric, a set of 6 You're Sew Nice cards, and a pattern by May Chappell

Who's excited?!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Cotton + Steel 10" square swap sign-up!

All Full!
If you filled out the form, you are in (as long as you buy your fabric and pay shipping & handling). :)

It is time to sign up for the Cotton + Steel swap! 
(Note: Just filling out your form doesn't guarantee anything - I will be in contact to finalize things, and I'll close form when we're full)

This is your registration link here.

How the swap works:

1) Fill out your registration form. I will close it when slots are filled.

2) Buy your fabric from our sponsoring shop, Intrepid Thread. (you are not buying a specific print -- all prints will be covered from her. To participate in this swap, you must pre-order through Intrepid Thread)

*I will provide Julie with a shipping list; only people who are registered for the swap will receive fabric from this listing.

3) Send your shipping & handling payment.

4) US people: Get your fabric and cut it and send it back to Tracey Jacobsen (address will be provided of course).

5) Int'l people: Wait patiently and smile.

6) Receive your Cotton + Steel layer cake!


Terms of this swap:
EVERYONE:
- Pre-order 5 yards of a single Cotton + Steel quilting cotton print from our sponsoring shop Intrepid Thread. Her price (link below) includes a 10% discount and shipping in the price. She is reserving 5 yards of each print so that all of them will be covered. I will try to give you one of your top 3 picks, but it might not happen -- first come, first served!

US participants:
Cut your fabric in to 68 squares, 10" x 10". Mail them to Tracey within 2 weeks of receiving them (dates will be announced when the shipment comes in). Pay Tracey $12 shipping & handling through paypal, check, or cash. You will not receive any fabric back until shipping & handling have been paid. Shipping will be via priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Canadians:
Pre-order your fabric and it will be shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $30.00 for cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Other International friends:
Pre-order your fabric and have it shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $33.00 to cover cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Everyone promises to play nice and keep in communication with Tracey if there is a need to. You also promise not to post anything rude about traceyjay quilts or Intrepid Thread if there is an issue, but let them know and trust that we will work it out together.

Disclaimer from traceyjay: My home is smoke-free; however, I do have one dog. I will vacuum before I sort all the piles, but be aware that a stray hair may find its way to you. My plan is to have everything shipped back to you within 1-2 weeks of receiving all the fabric. In order to maintain consistency, I will not do any sorting until I have received all 68 prints, and plan to make all the piles in one sitting.

To summarize:
You must order through Intrepid Thread for this swap.

You can send the money to me through paypal via the "send money" link.

I will post here when we reach 68 people!

I hope I've covered everything! :)

- Tracey