ANNIVERSARY FINALE....

 ....and it's been a good run.  I really wanted to do something different to celebrate entering my 4th year of blogging, so I decided to do a 4 week give-a-way.   It was fun, but the bad part about it is that I really wanted to award a gift to everyone who entered which wasn't possible.  But I do want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who reads my blog and/or entered the give-a-ways.

Another BIG thanks goes out to COOPER SEWING MACHINES for donating the gifts that I offered. I still cannot get the random generator widget placed in my post, but the winner of the final week's give-a-way of:

• not one,
• not two,
• but Three (3) Janome Snap On Sewing Machine Feet. 

GATHERING FOOT

ROLLER FOOT

CONCEALED /INVISIBLE ZIPPER FOOT

....REBECCA of UGLY CUTE DESIGNS

NEW BLOG AWARD:

I received this Stylish blogger Award from Toy of Life Happens Be Positive -  Trinilove - a unique and trendy name, wouldn't you agree? Talk about stylish!  This girl is producing a summer wardrobe that makes me drool.  I first became interested in her blog several summers ago when created her Essaouira Of Morocco Collection (EOM) way back in '08 (linked here if you'd like to review).  That thing had me in a trance.  I kept checking in at her blog to see how things progressed, and actually felt as though I, myself  was taking that trip - with that wardrobe.  A little day dreaming never hurt anything.
I think I'm supposed to bestow this award on 7 other stylish bloggers (I call them EYE CANDY) -  here goes:

• VICTORIA another Georgia Peach, I love everything she makes, and business-like sewing ethic.
• MISS MUSTARD SEED, she's got me CONVINCED that I can make her gorgeous slipcovers and thus transforming my living room into something no less than spectacular.
• TASIA for her really cute style, and her courage to live her dream of start her own pattern company.
• SHELIA because she knits, crochets and sews everything so wonderfully.  Love the business wardrobe she creates.
• WENDY I love this soon to be married ladies sewing style, but I stare at her quilt creations quite often too.
• CENETTA who is not a selfish sewer, but sews for her daughter, sister and the public.  She's heavily involved in preparations for a fashion show as I speak.
• ELIZABETH I loving following along on her sewing adventures, especially when she's making a sheath dress.  I'm so glad she and her boy friend made up (lol).

I'M IN ON A NEW SEW-A-LONG :

Sherry from Patterns-Scissors-Cloth 
is a clothing designer and pattern maker from New Zealand who is nice enough to share some ready-to-wear tailoring techniques!  RTW maximizes the fusible method that is used in most garment manufacturing today - where everything is completely machine sewn.  The only needle that needs to be threaded is the one on your sewing machine!  Sounded interesting to me, especially since I have 4 or 5 summer jackets planned.  I'll have to get back to that pad stitch lapel and collar tailoring technique later on.  But for now, I'm going to follow along with this sew-a-long to see if I can get some quicker RTW tailoring going on in the sewing room.

I'VE ONLY GOT ONE MORE THING TO TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW:
But, I think I'll save it for my next post.  I am such an information hogg, but I don't want to risk boring you so I'll cut this post off for now.  Happy weekend ya'll....

GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED BLOG AWARDS...

I was sent two wonderful blog awards but have yet to acknowledge receiving them. Please, please forgive my slowness, but do know that both awards are graciously accepted.

This first one from http://manecoarse.blogspot.com








and this second one from http://seamsenjoiable.blogspot.com


The rules for the first award are:
1. Tell us what you like about YOUR blog,
2. Then send the award to 10 other blogs that you read.

and, the rules for the second award are:
1. Tell us 10 thing about yourself,
2. Then Send the award to 5 other blogs that you read.

I hope the senders don't mind but I'm taking the liberty of mixing up the rules. I'll tell you what I like about my own blog, and then send BOTH awards on to 5 blogs that I read - Hows about that?

"I love the fact that this is my own personal domain. I can express myself just as I like (although I try to keep the contents clean). I can dress it up or down depending on my mood. I feel free in sharing small tidbits of information that a novice sewer might be able to use. If I get stumped on a project my blog allows me to reach out to thousands of people who have more knowledge of the craft than I, but who are willing and able to help me out. My blog has opened up a whole new world to me, one that is exciting, inspiring. It constantly feeds my hunger for more and more knowledge."

Now to share BOTH awards with 5 other bloggers:

The rules are:

1. Answer the question : "What do you like the most about your own blog?"

2. Pass this award to another five other blogggers.

Sewaholic - wonderfully young, talented, and creative
SewonandSewon - to welcome Lisa back to blogging
Clio - just completed the most amazingly great fitting pants, and is about to embark on creating some fine lingerie
Cindy - my sister from another mother who operates a fantastic "learn to sew" business in South Florida
Candice - creating gorgeous garments from way across the pond.

A GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED NEW AWARDS...

My new sewing inspiration, Carolyn, from way across the big pond recently gave me this award. Thank you so very much Carolyn, I will try to live up to it.

Someone else gave me the Sunshine Award a while ago (so sorry I can't remember who did, but I never got around to posting it. I just treat them as one award to get it taken care of. I think that I have to tell ten things about myself, and then select 5 other blogs upon which to bestow the awards. Here goes:

1. I was born in Georgia, but have lived in New York, California, back to New York, and now in Georgia again - this time for 31 years.

2. I became an instructor at the age that most people are starting to think about retirement. (Instructor for 8 years now) I am a FIRM believer that you are never too old to learn, and what ever you set your mind to can be achieved. I will be graduating for the empteenth time with a Technical Studies Degree on June 18th.

3. I'm a television watcher! However, I follow very few shows. Favorites are: Desperate Housewives, Gray's Anatomy, use to be ER & Boston Legal, and Project Runway. I am a HUGE Law and Order fan and frequently watch L&O marathons while sewing.

4. I recently started an exercise program (for the empteenth time); determined to get my skinny back and be a fashionista in my golden years. It's a work in progress for sure!

5. I respect "me" a lot, because many times "she" is the only person I can depend on.

6. I really enjoy spending time alone, and can ALWAYS find something to do to entertain myself (mostly sewing and internet). But, when it's time for people interaction I know how to enjoy that too.

7. I usually become overly obsessed with what I'm interested in at the time. My interests have of course changed from time to time. Once it was gardening, but for the past 3 years it has been with sewing - hope this obsession lasts and lasts and lasts because I am really enjoying the ride.

8. I love flowers and can identify quite a few varieties.

9. I am a green vegetable lover and so is my daughter and grand-children.

10. I am an exhalter by nature and God's gift. I love to make people feel good about themselves, and find it quite easy to do. I'm also a talker - at times, and I can make almost anybody laugh.

Carla Faye @ http://causeiwanna.wordpress.com
Sheila @http://sheilazcrochetz.blogspot.com
My homey Elaray @http://anothercreation.blogspot.com
Adelaide @http://craftprettysweet.blogspot.com; &
Myra @http://1simpleinspiration.blogspot.com

SEWING RELATED: I'm currently working on a jacket muslin that I actually need to finish today in preparation of tomorrow's sew-in.

ON THE HOME FRONT: I've started trying out new quick and easy healthier menus. I've been craving this Hibachi Shrimp dish from a local Japanese restaurant for about a week now. I finally had a chance to go there earlier this afternoon, and of course the don't open until 5p.m. WOW, and after I drove way out of the way to get there. I was starving (not a good thing) so I concocted my own recipe praying over it while I cooked; and GUESS WHAT! It tasted just like the dish from Genji's. I think I'm on to something here. Quick cooking keeps me out of starvation mode, is better for my health, and gets me back into the sewing room quicker.

Great food and lots of sewing time....PRICELESS!