Mollie Makes: Feathered Friends - Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway to win a copy of Mollie Makes: Feathered Friends!

The winner is.... Debora who said "Looking forward to have my book... I'll be the lucky one!" -  the power of positive thinking, huh? :)

Psst - The lovely folks at Mollie Makes are giving away 25 copies of Feathered Friends this week, so if you missed out in my giveaway, don't be sad! (the Mollie Makes giveaway closes on June 20th).

Giveaway: Mollie Makes: Feathered Friends

As I mentioned yesterday, I've got a copy of Mollie Makes: Feathered Friends (published by Collins & Brown) to give away!

And you don't have to be in the UK to enter - the publisher is happy to send it internationally :)

Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win! Leave your comment before 10pm on Friday 14th June, and I'll pick the winners at random on Saturday 15th June.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. 

If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else. If you're leaving a comment with your Blogger profile, please remember that you need to have your profile set to public for me to be able to get in touch with you. If you have problems leaving a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead.

Update: this giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway Winner: Rainbow of Embroidery Thread

Finally, it's time to announce the winner of the box of embroidery threads...

The winner is: Alyssa who said "Oh, me! me! Those look really useful."

Congrats Alyssa, and thanks to everyone who took the time to enter xx

Giveaway: Embroidery Thread Storage Box & Threads

I've decided to stop selling the embroidery thread storage boxes currently listed in the "Craft Supplies" section of my shop. They're super useful things (my embroidery thread stash is sooo much easier to use since I started storing them this way)... BUT I really need to clear some space in my studio so these bulky boxes have to go! 

The last few boxes I've got in stock can be found HERE.

I'm also giving away one of the small boxes... filled with a rainbow of 36 different thread (floss) colours already neatly wound on bobbins. Hurrah!

These are the Duchess brand stranded embroidery threads I usually sell in my shops (they're out of stock at the moment but I'm hoping to have lots of packs back in stock early next month). I made up this box of threads to use in my product photos for the storage boxes... and since I no longer need it (and have plenty of this thread in my stash already) I thought it'd make a lovely little giveaway prize to share with you guys :)

The little box of threads would make a great starter collection of threads if you want to try embroidery or cross-stitch for the first time, a sweet gift for a friend you want to convert to the joys of stitching, or a nice addition to your stash if you're already an avid stitcher.

Fancy getting your hands on this box of threads? Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win! I'm happy to ship internationally, so anyone can enter. Leave your comment before 10pm on Saturday 2nd March, and I'll pick the winners at random on Sunday 3rd March.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. 

If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else. If you're leaving a comment with your Blogger profile, please remember that you need to have your profile set to public for me to be able to get in touch with you. If you have problems leaving a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. 

Update: this giveaway is now closed!

The End of Book Month: Giveaway Winners

As Book Month comes to an end, it's time to announce some lucky winners!

The winner of the copy of The Needlecraft Stitch Directory is...

Kay, who said "Yes please, it would make a great early Christmas present for me."

And the winners of the copies of Martha Stewart's Crafts for All Occasions are...

Inka, who said "Thanks for the opportunity to get this book! I'd love to have one :)"

and SMILE factory,who said "I love craft books! Thank you for a chance! :)"

I've got a whole bunch of crafty books that I've still not reviewed (too many books and not enough time!) so there'll be a review or two popping up over the coming months... but I hope you guys have enjoyed the crazy flurry of reviewing that was Book Month!

I have to admit it can be tricky to come up with useful things to say about craft books sometimes beyond "this is a nice book with nice crafts in it" but I do try to make my reviews as useful as possible. I hope you've found them helpful and maybe discovered a book or two to add to your Christmas wish list?

You can find links to all my crafty book reviews HERE.

Giveaway: Martha Stewart's Crafts for All Occasions

As I mentioned when I reviewed it yesterday, the publishers of Martha Stewart's Crafts for All Occasions  are giving away two copies!

Please note that this giveaway is open to UK residents only.

Want to enter? Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win. Leave your comment before 10pm on Thursday 29th November, and I'll pick two winners at random on Friday 30th November.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks or the either of the people I pick turns out not to be from the UK then I will pick someone else.

Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering! 

Update: this giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway: The Needlecraft Stitch Directory

As promised, Jacqui Small are giving away a copy of The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (which I reviewed yesterday) to one lucky reader.

Please note that this giveaway is open to UK residents only.

Want to enter? Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win. Leave your comment before 10pm on Thursday 29th November, and I'll pick the winner at random on Friday 30th November.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks or the person I pick turns out not to be from the UK then I will pick someone else.

Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering!

Update: this giveaway is now closed.

November Sponsors & Ornament Kit Giveaway Winner

It's time to say hello to my current sponsors!

Little Hands Design run sewing courses and workshops in their London studio, for kids, teens and adults.

Lucky Cat Handmade sells handmade purses, pouches, key fobs and glasses cases:

Finest Imaginary sells screenprinted t-shirts & homewares and laser-cut jewellery:

and Hello Wilson sells illustrated prints, cards, bags and tea towels:

Interested in sponsoring my blog? Ad spaces start from just $10 (USD) for 30 days. Your shop will also feature in a sponsor post (like this one) and I give new sponsors a shout out over on my Facebook page. Click here for more info re: rates and for all the juicy details about my blog's visitor numbers and page views.


In other news.... it's time to announce the winner of the Georgina Giles ornament kit giveaway.

The winner is...

Marina who said: "So cute! I prefer the christmas pudding!"

Thanks to everyone who entered & to Georgina for the giveaway prize. The full range of ornament kits are available to buy from Georgina's Etsy shop.

Giveaway: Felt Christmas Decoration Kits from Georgina Giles

I've got a fun giveaway for you guys today! My crafty chum Georgina has just added felt Christmas ornament kits to her Etsy shop and she's kindly giving away a kit to one of you lovely folks.

Georgina says, " Each kit contains full instructions, a reusable pattern, felt, glass headed pins, a needle, embroidery thread, cotton tape and wadding for the tree and the pudding. All you need to add is scissors! It comes in an eco friendly recycled kraft box, which measures 11cm x 8.5cm x 3cm and has a handmade typewritten 'Happy Christmas' sticker on the front. Unlike many kits the pattern is reusable so that you can make as many decorations as you wish, there are even details of suppliers for you to source more high quality materials."

Each kit contains the materials & instructions for making one ornament. I think they'd make a lovely gift for someone just learning to sew, or a crafty friend who you think might enjoy trying sewing with felt - and then of course you can recommend my blog to them too and get them totally hooked, haha! :)

One lucky reader will win the kit of their choice. You can choose from...

... a pudding:

... an envelope:

... a tree:

... or a mitten:

Just leave a comment on this blog post to enter - make sure you say which kit you'd like if you win! Georgina is happy to ship the kit worldwide, so anyone can enter. Leave your comment before 10pm on Wednesday 14th November, and I'll pick the winner at random on Thursday 15th November.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering!

Update: this giveaway is now closed. 

Stitch it for Christmas: A Giveaway to Celebrate the Start of Book Month!

Remember that big pile of craft books I blogged about earlier this autumn? Well, I've got so many lovely books to review that I've decided that November = Book Month! Throughout the month I'll be sharing a whole bunch of crafty book reviews, and there will be some giveaways too (with my regular mix of random posts in between). I hope you'll enjoy it :)

To kick us off, I've got two copies of Stitch it for Christmas by Lynette Anderson to give away...

Stitch it for Christmas is about 50 pages long. It includes a short guide to the quilting and embroidery techniques you'll need, and 7 "festive projects to craft and quilt".

There are larger projects like this cushion (pillow) and table decoration...

... and smaller ones like these star-shaped Christmas ornaments...

... all with a country-style patchwork/quilting base to them and embellished with one of Lynette's quirky designs in either applique or embroidery. And of course you could also stitch the embroidery designs on anything you fancy making, or just on their own to be framed in an embroidery hoop as part of your festive decor.

Stitch it for Christmas is published by David and Charles. RRP £7.99. It's available from Amazon UK and Amazon USA, and from RUCraft. The fabrics used in the book are from Lynette's own festive fabric range, which is also available at RUCraft.


And I've got TWO copies to giveaway. Hurrah!

Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win. The lovely folks at David and Charles are happy to ship this internationally, so anyone can enter. Leave your comment before 10pm on Thursday 8th November, and I'll pick the winners at random on Friday 9th November.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact either of the winners within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering!

[P.S. The Amazon links in this post are affiliate links which means if you click on them and then make a purchase I get a very small % as a referral fee.]

This giveaway is now closed. 

Giveaway Winners: Notecards & Moo Business Cards

A very quick post from me today to announce some giveaway winners.

The winner of the set of business cards from MOO is...

... Mundo Feltro, who said: "Yessss! I love the idea!"

And the winners of the notecard sets are...

... Kathy, who said: "I would love the haberdashery cards. They remind of the things that I inherited from my great-grandmother's sewing basket!"

... and bairozan, who said: "Oh, the robins grabbed my heart! I'd love to have them so much if I'm lucky to win :) "

And simply because it feels weird to have a blog post without a photo in it, here's a snap of the snowflake bunting I'll be sharing a how-to for tomorrow :)

Giveaway: Winter Robins & Vintage Haberdashery Cards

When I was ordering my MOO business cards, my order total didn't quite come to the full amount of the voucher they'd given me so I put the rest towards my first order of greetings cards. So I thought it was only fair to do a giveaway for some of the finished cards :)

I'm giving away a set of 4 cards to two lucky winners. You can choose from:

4 Winter Robins cards...

 

... 4 Vintage Haberdashery Notecards (featuring vintage scissors and threads from my grandmother's sewing box)...

... or if you prefer you could have a mixed set of 2 x Winter Robins, 1 x Scissors and 1 x Threads. All the cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes.

Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win - let me know which set of cards you'd like! I'm happy to ship internationally, so anyone can enter. Leave your comment before 10pm on Thursday 25th October, and I'll pick the winners at random on Friday 26th October.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact either of the winners within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

Update: Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering!

This giveaway is now closed. 

Moo Business Cards: Review & Giveaway

The lovely folks at MOO asked if I'd like to review some of their business cards and I said yes please!

I ordered some cards from them a couple of years ago and was really pleased with them... I was very interested to see if the cards were as nice as I remembered them being and if their site was still as easy to use.

Want to see the cards I got?
 

(Apologies for the slightly blurry photo, it was super dark the day I took these pics. I love the autumn, but the light can be so terrible!)

My current "Lupin Handmade" business card - which I send out with all my orders - features a photo of me holding a big rainbow stack of felt squares. I love that photo, but it's not ideal for those times when I meet people and give them one of my cards. I want to be able to show people what I make, and also to have a card that's about me rather than about my business (if you know what I mean). So I chose some a mix of photos of my products and tutorials, and a couple of the designs from my book, Super-Cute Felt.

One of the really awesome things about MOO is that they let you use multiple images within one order - so if you ordered 50 business cards you could upload 50 different photos and get one card with each image! When you use fewer images, the site gives you an estimate of the number of cards you'll get with each image.

It's a great way to test out images if you're not sure which design will look best when printed, and it means the bundle of business cards in your wallet can double as a mini portfolio. Now when I meet someone who's interested in my work, I'll always have several examples to show them :)

The image uploader is pretty easy to use. For each card, you get a preview of how the image will look on your card and it's easy to add, remove, and reposition your images. The site will also warn you if your images are too small to be printed correctly.

Entering the text on the back of your cards is also pretty easy and there's a choice of layouts. I managed to make a stupid typo when typing my text, and I only spotted it after the order went through but luckily they have a window where you can make last minute edits to your order before it goes to the print queue. Phew!

I got an email to let me know when my cards were on their way, and an estimated delivery date... and they arrived very quickly. Unfortunately when they arrived they'd printed out much darker than I'd expected them to, but MOO's customer service team sorted the problem for me very quickly. I got a friendly & helpful response within the hour (on a Saturday!) with feedback about the likely cause of the problem (the matte laminate they use - it makes the cards great quality, but the images appear slightly darker), and they brightened my images, reprinted and resent my order within the week... and the replacement cards are perfect. Yay!

You can see the difference here (the cards on the right are the second batch).

I'm really happy with the finished cards - my photos look great and the cards are lovely and thick (the designs are printed on 350gsm paper which is rather lush, and it's also sustainably sourced). I can't wait to start giving them out to people.

As you may have guessed from the title of this post, MOO are giving away 100 "classic" business cards to one lucky reader - HURRAH!

You can choose one of their designer business card templates or upload your own photos or artwork to create your cards. The giveaway is open worldwide, MOO will cover standard shipping anywhere as part of the prize. Just leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win - I'd love to know what you'd use the cards for!  

Leave your comment before 10pm on Thursday 25th October, and I'll pick a winner at random on Friday 26th October.  

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

Update: Apparently some people are having problem leaving comments on my blog at the moment. If you're unable to leave a comment here on my blog, you can enter via my shop's contact form instead. Please make sure you say which giveaway you're entering!

[Disclaimer: MOO gave me a voucher to purchase the business cards I reviewed in this post]

This giveaway is now closed. 

Giveaway Winner: Importance of Being Earnest t-shirt

 The winner of the Importance of Being Earnest t-shirt from Aoristic is...

... Joyce, who said: "this shirt so belongs in my wardrobe! :)"

Giveaway: Importance of Being Earnest t-shirt from Aoristic

Remember last month when I blogged about the awesome t-shirts I'd found while updating my working wardrobe?

Well, one of the t-shirts I ordered was a "The Importance of Being Earnest" shirt from Aoristic. There was a bit of a mix up and they ended up sending me a men's medium instead of a womens (oops) but quickly resent the order with the correct shirt and let me keep the men's shirt as well.

So I get to turn t-shirt mix up lemons into t-shirt giveaway lemonade! Hurrah!

There is one men's/unisex medium "The Importance of Being Earnest" shirt available. 

This is "a serious t-shirt for trivial people", featuring a handprinted design on a white American Apparel 2001 Fine Jersey shirt.

Maybe you'd like this t-shirt for yourself? Or you know a book-loving someone for whom it would make the perfect gift?

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post before 10pm on Thursday 30th August. I'll pick a winner at random on Friday 31st August.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

UPDATE: this giveaway is now closed. 

Super-Cute Felt Giveaway Winner

A bit later than planned, it's finally time to announce the winner of the copy of my book, Super-Cute Felt.

The winner is: Saraccino, who said... Oh, I would love to get your book! :)


P.S. thanks for all the kind comments about my book, everyone xx

P.P.S. a quick heads up, Royal Mail postage prices will be going up early next week so I'll be updating my shipping charges in all my shops this weekend. 

Giveaway Winner: Zodiac Felties

It's time to announce the winner of the copy of Zodiac Felties which I reviewed last week.

The winner is...

Emma, who said: "Looking at the other comments, it seems I'm the first Sagittarius to enter! Lovely book :-)"

Thanks to everyone who entered! Remember there's still time to enter the giveaway to win a copy of my book, Super-Cute Felt.


P.S. Hello Janey Millar! You left a comment on the Sewing Made Simple giveaway asking about how to cut out neat felt shapes, but I couldn't find a way to get in touch with you to reply so I hope you see this. Please check out this post (and all the comments) about cutting out small felt shapes, hopefully you'll find it helpful but do let me know if you have any more questions :)

Giveaway: Super-Cute Felt

I hope you guys have enjoyed my slightly extended "book week"!

To finish off this book-themed fortnight, I thought it would be nice to do a giveaway for my own book, Super-Cute Felt which was published last autumn. 

The book contains 35 cute felt projects, all designed by me.

I may be a teeny bit biased (haha!) but I love this book! :)

It includes small projects (like pansy hair clips) and large projects (like a toadstool hot water bottle cover) in four sections: accessories, gifts, homewares and celebrations. Each project has illustrated, step-by-step instructions, there's also a short guide to materials, equipment and techniques at the start of the book, and most of the templates are full size (hurrah!).

Here are a few of my favourite projects...

A lion coffee cosy:

A hedgehog phone case:

A snowglobe doorhanger:

And cat, mice and cheese puppets:

I'm giving away one signed copy of Super-Cute Felt, and (because I love you guys) I'm happy to post it internationally so anyone can enter.

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post before 10pm on Tuesday 24th April. I'll pick a winner at random on Wednesday 25th April.

Please make sure you leave a name or pseudonym (no anonymous comments please!) and leave a blog link, Twitter username, Etsy username or email address so I can contact you. If I'm unable to contact the winner within two weeks, I will pick someone else.

Update: this giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway Winner: Sewing Made Simple

The winner of the copy of Sewing Made Simple is...

... Maria of Dinki Dots who said: "I'd love a chance to win, many thanks!"

Thanks to everyone who entered :)