It's My Turn in the Parade! Funky Junk Follower's Giveaway

I'm so excited. I've watched the goodies being offered all week over at Funky Junk in honor of her 2000 Followers Event, and today it's my turn!

Now we all know I've given away plenty of stuff here in blogland. You've all seen my work aprons.

But this one different for me.

It's different because I've decided to venture outside of my comfort zone of work aprons and add a fun new line to my offerings.

I'm proud to introduce to you my NEW BoHo Chic apron line 'Free to be Me!'

'Free to be Me!' is a new fun line of waist aprons with a touch of whimsy.

I started searching out vintage clothes at thrift stores trying to find some unique patterns that I couldn't get at the fabric shops. I was looking for things I could cut up and use as pockets. As I was looking, it hit me - Why don't I make vintage looking aprons with these great clothing finds?

So, I decided I would.

These aprons are made completely different than what you've seen from me before. I've made them to look carefree, with lots of raw edge applique and colorful ribbon and button embellishments.

I call them 'Free to be Me!' because that's how I feel when I'm creating them. I pick the embellishments and trims as I go, and it gives me the opportunity to use a lot of fabric scraps that I couldn't bear to throw away.

These aprons are all one of a kind.

So that means, if you see something you like, grab it then or you'll lose it. And, they're priced from $25-35, with free shipping on the whole line!

I'll be adding 8-10 of these a week to my etsy shop, which you can find on my right sidebar.

Here are just a few I have available now.

(Pop over to the etsy shop and you can see all of the close up pictures)

What do you think so far?

Of course I have a mission to be sure that everyone in blogland has an apron of their own, and I'm starting by offering these for the first time over at Funky Junk's Giveaway Extravaganza.

You have to go over there and let her know which of the following two aprons you'd like to have for yourself.

And remember, if you see something in the shop now that you like, be sure and grab it.

If you happen to win one of these in the giveaway, I'll refund your purchase if you already bought one.

Here are your options:
#1

#2

Hope you win!

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new line.

More Loot up for Grabs

I'm a day behind on the giveaway parade over at Funky Junk, so this post will be a two-fer.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you that you can enter for all the giveaways until Donna closes the party. Keep scrolling down my blog to see each of the prizes and you'll see the link in the posts to get to them.

Missy at The Little Green Bean has been whipping her sewing skills into over drive. She's created some beautiful purses using her own design. You should see how pretty these are, and functional to boot.

Go peek in her etsy shop and see all of the pattern combinations she has offer. And then head back to Funky Junk to let her know which one you'd like to have.

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And today's giveaway is one of my favorites. You all know I'm a sewing junkie, and Sherry over at Creations From My Heart is a gal that shares the same love I do.

She has a line of pinsushions she creates that make me heart speed up a bit. I have her creating one for me right now, and I think I've spotted it in one of her giveaway options. (Now if I can just get her apron made, I'd be able to get my pincushion!)

Here are the 3 items she's offering for your prize.

How cute is this? !

Look at all those great pins.

Sherry and I actually met because she noticed that I was using some of the same buttons on my aprons that she was using on her pincushions. We've been on a mutual search for discontinued buttons for a while now. :(

Here is another option. This is the one that looks suspiciously like the one I asked for.

(Sherry, is this like mine? If so, I'm squealing! I'll get on that apron right away now!)

You'll be pleased to know that the pincushion actually consists of everything in the picture. That's right, the little saucer and spoon are a part of it. Isn't that darling?

I'm telling you, I LOVE these.

All it takes is a cutey pincushion to make me a happy girl. Well, that, and buttons. I'm a simple gal.

Here's option #3.

Sherry also makes many other great items, and this is one of them. It's a beautiful memory journal.

All of these are hand embellished. And see the button details................ahhhh, a gal after my own heart........

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Tomorrow is my day for the giveaway!

I know you're used to seeing my work aprons, but believe it or not, that's NOT what I'm giving away this time.

Tomorrow I'll be introducing you to my newest line, Free to Be Me. They are a BoHoChic style of aprons that have been upcycled from various carefully selected clothing pieces.

I accidentally (:)) sold

several of them already, so I'm working away on some more today to add to the shop.

All of the aprons in this line are one of a kinds, so if you see one you like once I start showing them, you should go ahead and grab it then.

I am really loving the creative freedom I have to make these.

Each one seems more fun than the other.

You'll get to see for yourself tomorrow!

Now go register for those great prizes before you forget.

It's Another Giveaway at Funky Junk

Day three and there's yet another prize to be had.

 The giveaway parade is still happening over at Funky Junk.

Today is all about a bit of color love. No teasing on this one.

Run over there, and run fast, so you get a good chance at THIS:

Ahhh.........isn't it beautiful?

And, it's an original from The Old Post Road.

Normally, she makes prints of her paintings and sells them in her etsy shop, but she's decided this will be a one of a kind - no duplicates - ever.

Have you seen her blog? Oh, I love her blog. It so peppy and colorful. I just smile everytime I open the page.

If it's legal to have a blog crush, then you can certainly count me in for hers. You have to go see for yourself.

See................color love.........oh, me wants it.........

2000 Follower's Giveaway Celebration Continues

The party continues over at Funky Junk.

She's recruited some great gals to give away some even better gifts.

Rush over there to register for this fabulous prize:

Oh, I know what you're saying -WHAT is that?

Well, you'll have to go over and find out, but I know one thing it ain't, and that's your prize! I just love to tease. Humor me, ok?

Here's the REAL deal:

It's a hand painted grainsack creation from Miss Mustard Seed herself! Woohoo.

Not these necessarily. She's giving you a options.

We all know Miss Mustard Seed is the Queen of Painting here in blogland, and having one of her creations is an honor. Have you seen her etsy shop? I want it, I want it all!

So head on over to Funky Junk and see what you need to do to register for your very own, custom painted creation.

2000 Follower's Giveaway Parade at Funky Junk

That Donna has gone and done it again!

Wasn't it just a few months ago we were celebrating with her for her 1000 follower giveaway?

Yes it was!

I guess that means she must be doing something really right over at Funky Junk!

To celebrate, she's having another fabulous week of giveaways. Right now you can find this up for grabs:

Ha, ha. Just kidding. But, you need to go over to the Funky Junk blog to find out why I would even be showing you that picture. (I think I might campaign for her a new purse, poor gal. lol. Too bad she's not eligible to win the one she's giving away.)

Here's what really up for grabs:

It seems our friend Christine from Jaz Creations has surprised us with her sewing skills. She's got a great little purse shop you should pop over and see.

You can head over to Donna's to see how to register for this purse, and see how many little pocket separators are on the inside. (Christine is offering some great introductory prices for those of you who don't want to wait to win one.)

Then go back tomorrow, and the next day, and so on, and so on - because there will be a new prize to register for on random days throughout the next week.

And, since we know the best is always last (big fat grin), I'll be giving away something new for her last giveaway, which is planned for next Wednesday. I'll be introducing you to my newest line of aprons. Think Bohemian.

Check back, and check back often. I'll be updating you on her giveaways each time a new one is posted.

Apron Giveaway - too Great to Miss

If you've arrived at my blog via Funky Junk, then let me welcome you here. I'm so glad to have you. Please stay a few minutes and look around.


If you're already familiar with my blog, thank you for coming back. Let me know what you think of the new look.

In honor of Funky Junk's Saturday Night Special,

I'm giving away a Farmer's Market Apron I created especially for this event.

I've loaded up the shop with them too, and at a special price.

Donna has done a great job telling you about all of my aprons, so I'll let you read what she has to say over there.

Please head on over to Donna's for the instructions on how to win, and hey, link a project while you're over there!

Here's what's up for grabs:

Good Luck. I hope you win!

Winner of a Make Mine Beautiful Work Apron

Thank you so much for everyone who participated in the Funky Junk 1000 Follower Giveaway Week.

The winners have been announced, and...

Drumroll Please................................

The winner of the Make Mine Beautiful apron is Barbara Jean from Treasures From the Heart.

Congratulations Barbara Jean!

Barbara Jean chose the Farmer's Market Apron in Pattern Combination #3

Here's what she'll be getting.

                                    This Apron -                                           

In This Fabric Combination

BJ, Please send me your address and I'll get that right out to ya!

To see who won the other gifts in the giveaway, head over to Funky Junk.

If you didn't win an apron, and you'd still like to have one of your own, I encourage you to peruse my etsy site and get one for yourself. There are several styles and fabrics to chose from, and each apron has been carfeully designed to provide craffters the space you need to carry around all of your supplies.

All aprons are made sturdy enough for everyday use.

AND, I'm offering free shipping to the US on anything you purchase.

Funky Junk herself recently received this one, which you'll be hearing about soon.

This apron has 3 optional accessory pockets which slide onto the waistband, and one extra washcloth that snaps on and off for ease of use and cleaning.

As you can see, her drill holster has the initials of her business on it.

If you'd like to have something with your name just let me know in the checkout notes.

What a great gift for the Do it Yourselfer!

Funky Junk's 1000 Follower Giveaway Party - See What I'm Giving!

Welcome to those of you coming over from the Follower's Party at Funky Junk Interiors!

If it's your first time here, please kick off your shoes and stay a while. Scan the categories on the sidebar to see what's here that might interest you. Whether you're new here or returning, I'm pleased as punch to have you.

If you know Donna at Funky Junk, you already know that her blog is growing by leaps and bounds, and you're probably already following her every move. I know I am. If you don't know Donna, then she's a friend you're gonna wanna make. She's a true DIY gal's gal.

Donna started her blog to talk about a home renovation that she was gifted by a local church. Little did she know that her style of detailing her projects would cause her to develop a following of folks hungry for more how-to help. This demand prompted Donna to start another blog detailing her activities in the shop and in her home. You HAVE to see her home! Talk about turning trash into treasure
- she is the QUEEN!
Read a bit of her blog to see what she's all about, and be sure to read about her new Workshop Series.

I am an interior designer by trade, but have recently chosen to take a step back from that part of my career to focus on building a business centered on work solutions for the DIY gal. While working in my design business, and particularly in my drapery business, I discovered that it was hard to find some of the working tools that would make my life a bit easier. So, I decided since I was a creative gal and knew how to sew, I could certainly figure out something to make that would put everything I needed during my work day right on my body. This is how my women's work aprons were born.

I made several styles of aprons with many kinds of pockets, loops, accessories, etc, trying to create the right design. I wanted these to be perfect since I knew I wanted to market them to other women in my position. I've finally got it.

I've got my Etsy apron store open for reatil business now. Please take a few minutes and see what's there.

I'm giving you a great prize in honor of Donna's 1000 Follower Giveaway.

I'm offering you a choice of the following items in this giveaway. You'll need to go over to Funky Junk and leave a comment on her post starting Friday at 10:00 pm Pacific time. You do not have to be a follower to enter, but you do have to leave a comment.

NOTE: The winner will  be chosen from comments left over there - NOT here, but I certainly welcome your comments here.

(Click on Pictures to enlarge so you can see details.)
First up is the Workroom Apron. The pockets hold many items, and the loops hold your pliers, chalk markers, tape measure, hammer, etc. For those of you like me who need even more pockets than the apron allows, we have accessory pockets that slide on the waistband.
(Note: The accessory pockets are not a part of the giveaway - only the apron.
For more of the details on this apron, read the post following this one, or go see the description on Etsy.

Here are your fabric options for the Workroom Apron:

(Selected specifically for this giveaway.) The second is denimn and burlap in case you can't tell.

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Next up is our very popular Farmer's Market Apron. This apron is perfect for the flea market or tag sale gal or the serious shopper that doesn't want to be bothered with a purse. There is a zippered pocket for safely storing valuables, and a small pocket for your business cards when you need them at the ready. This is a really cute fitting apron. Looks like a skirt when it's on.

Here are your fabric options for the Farmer's Market Apron:

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For those of you who need a full body apron, we have The Everyday Crafter. This apron has 3 large pockets, lined, and an adjustable neck line. This apron also has a name badge that is embellished with the cutest buttons I can find.

These are the fabric options for The Everyday Crafter Apron:

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And finally, if you already have your own craft apron and you just really don't need another - which I can't imagine! - then I'm offering one for the little gal in your life. This is our wildly popular Kid's Craft Apron. It has several pockets to stash all of their goodies, a few slots for markers, and a removable wash cloth for them to clean up their messy spills.

And here are the fabric choices for the Kid's Craft Apron:

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Now to clarify:

1. You have a choice of 4 different aprons.

2. You have specific fabric selections for each apron style.

3. You must go to Funky Junk and leave a comment on her post to be eligible to enter. You do NOT have to have a blog, but you must leave her a way to get in touch with you should you win.

4. You MUST let her know in your comment which apron style you would like to have, and which fabric combination for that style you prefer. If you choose The Everyday Crafter or the Kid's Craft Apron, let her know the name you'd like to be put on the apron.

5. Winners of her contest will be announced on January 30th.

I'd really appreciate it if you'd help me spread the word about my work aprons. I'm fairly new to blogland and could use the word of mouth. You can see most of my aprons here as well as all of the current fabric combinations available. All aprons are made sturdy for continuous use. If you just have to have one now, go ahead and buy one for yourself, and if you happen to win the giveaway, I'll refund your money. How's that for a good deal?

If you like them and share my passion about being able to work smarter, pick up my new button to post to your blog. I'll thank you fo-ev-va!

Now run back over and check out all the projects the folks are posting over at Funky Junk's weekly Saturday Night Special.

Giveaway Winners

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving!

It's time to announce the giveaway winners for my very first giveaway! I put all the names into a silver bowl, covered it up, shook it hard, and had my husband draw the names for me.

So here's how I planned it. The first name he drew gets the first prize, the second name gets the second prize, and the third name gets the third prize. And sticking to the plan, here are the winners in order.

The winner of the work apron is:

The winner of the fabrics and trims is:

(Sorry Donna, I know you requested the apron, but I know you'll find something great to do with the fabrics and trims. I'll pick you out some really pretty ones - I promise.) If you have particular color requests, let me know. Believe me, I have everything -seriously!

The winner of the stocking/pillows is: (no surprise here, she scored 8 entries with her referrals!)

Congratulations to all of you!!

Now, here's what I need from each of you:

1. Kim @ Twice Remembered

I need your address, and your color combination preference

(Edited to add: I couldn't find a working link to email on Kim's blog, so if any of you know how to get in touch with her, could you please send her over? I'll leave a comment on her current post and see if she gets it. BTW, if you haven't seen this blog, you must go over and check it out. Fabulous!)

2. Donna @ Funky Junk

I need your address and your color preferences

3. Brenda @ Cozy Little House

I need to know if you want a stocking/pillow combination, 2 stockings, or 2 pillows

Please remember, once you receive your gifts, you should post about them on your blog and link back to mine. For the winner of the fabrics and trims, you can wait until you make something with it if your like. We'd certainly like to see what you created from it.

Just an FYI, I will be sponsoring a few giveaways in the very near future, and they will all be work aprons! So you'll have more chances to win one. The store will be open next week, and if you can't wait to win, you can purchase one! I can't wait to show you these.

A Mini Celebration and a Few Giveaways

Monday morning I start my new life. My new life as a stay at home worker! I'm officially coining SAHW just for me. I've had my own business for many years, but at the first of the year I decided to give it up and go to work for a company. Self employment can be rough during an economic downturn, and keeping employees has been tough. So, I went to work managing a sewing machine company.

While working my new job, a series of things just fell into place when I least expected it, and now I've decided to leave that job and pursue my first creative love. I design women's work aprons. Not just any apron, but a bonafide, certified, carry everything on you that you need, apron! Not the ruffled fluffy kind, but the stay with me while I work and don't move an inch unless I want you to kind. They are pretty, and they are practical..................which is my mission in life - to create pretty and practical fun things.

I finally found a factory to make them so I can sell bulk quantities to distributors and fill retail orders once I get the store opened. And, now that I have no commitments to anyone but myself, I'll be getting that store open very soon.

So, that's one reason I'm celebrating today. The other? Well it's you guys of course. Back in the beginning of my blog I promised to do a giveway once I reached 50 followers, and then each 50 followers thereafter, up to 500. I know I said I'd give a gift to follower #50, #100, and so on. What I didn't know back in those early days was that you don't know specifically who joined in number order. So, everybody's name goes in the hat. (Please don't ask me to use random generator. I barely have basic blogging figured out!)

Here's the deal....................

You get your choice of gifts. There are three to choose from.
Option #1 is one of Make Mine Beautiful's exclusive work aprons!
Here's a few snippets of what it looks like.

Option #2 is a selection of fabrics from this shelf:

AND, a few trims to match from this wall:

And Option #3 is a Christmas Pack that includes one of these stockings, and a sofa pillow to match! Or, two stockings and no pillow, or 2 pillows and no stockings.

Of course every giveaway has it's rules, and here are mine:

1. The giveaway is open until Wednesday night at midnight, mountain time. The winner will be announced on Thanksgiving morning.

2. If you are already a follower, your name is already in the hat - well, in the silver bowl actually. Feel free to post a comment telling me which gift you'd prefer.

3. You must be a follower to win this giveaway, since it is a follower appreciation giveaway, but you do not have to have a blog.

4. If you encourage someone else to follow my blog, be sure to have them tell me who sent them over in their comment. They will get one entry, and you will get another one. For each person you send my way, you get an additional entry. Feel free to link to this giveaway. If I get a lot of entries, I'll give away all three gifts.

5. Regardless which gift you choose, to win you MUST be willing to post a picture of it in use on your blog. If you choose the fabrics and trims, once you make a project from them, you would post about that. If you choose the apron, we must see you wearing it and give us your feedback on it. If you post the stockings or pillows, you would show us where you used them. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BLOG, you would email me the pictures and I will post about it here on mine.

That's it, Easy peasy. Good luck to each of you. These are really nice gifts I'm sure you will enjoy.