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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Time to celebrate!

Yes, that's right, it's my 50th post! In one way that seems such a milestone to me, and then I look at people who are up to 100, 200 or 300 posts and I feel so awfully new!

Be that as it may, it's still a celebration, and that means a giveaway! And not only a giveaway in this post, but the launch of a swap too! Yup, the Paper Bag Swap is going ahead. So this post will be quite a busy one, so bear with me.

But, first things first, lookie what came in the mail!!


It's the wonderful Soiree bag I won over at "Life at Rosemary Hill's" giveaway! And I absolutely adore it. Many huge thanks to Kris for running her giveaway, and making such a gorgeous bag. I still can't believe I won, and I can't wait to show it off.

Aren't these fabrics just so yummy??



And secondly, for those who are wondering how my job interview went yesterday... (by the way - thank you so much for your comments and well wishes for that!! I really appreciate them so much!) Well, the interview went quite well, but I was a bit unprepared for a 'maths test' to calculate fabric requirements. So, suddenly overwhelmed and unprepared, I failed miserably. But she really liked me, and told me to go home and practice, and to then give her another call. So all is not lost!

Anyway, enough about that, and on to the point of this post!


50th post Giveaway!

To celebrate my 50th post, and to thank all you wonderful commenters and readers of my blog, I am giving away a little box of goodies and treasures!

Inside there is fabric, beads, a Handmade Magazine (Christmas issue,) Chocolate (Lindt Chocolate!! Do you know how much will-power it is taking me to give this away, and not eat it!?!), and patterns from Gail Pan and Hatched and Patched. I will be adding more goodies to the box over the next couple of days with more fabric, buttons, bits and bobs etc etc.

And I will also be making the winner her very own little monster. Some of you may remember I made these two for a Toy Society drop a few weeks ago. Well, I will make the winner their own custom made little monster. The winner can choose the boy or girl monster, it's up to you. :)
So how to enter? Simply leave a comment to this post before Sunday 15th of March 5pm (AEDST).

If you have been a previous commenter of this blog (and yes, I know who you are!) you will get an extra bonus entry into the giveaway. If you mention the giveaway on your blog, you will also get an extra bonus entry. Anyone is welcome to enter!

The draw (names from a hat - I am rather old fashioned!) will take place after the deadline (either Sunday night, or Monday morning,) and the winner will be announced and notified soon after. International visitors are more than welcome to enter (however, I may not send the chocolate overseas...I have always had issues trying to send chocolate overseas! But don't worry, I will substitue it for something else!)

Please make sure that when you leave a comment, your settings are not set at 'no reply.' I need to be able to contact you if you win!

Have fun and good luck!

Paper Bag Swap
Woohoo, I love swaps!! Who else loves swaps? Theres something fun about making an item for someone else. So, I am launching the Paper Bag swap after suficient interest was recieved from previous posts. I only just participated in a Paper Bag swap over at the Handmade Craft Forum, run by the lovely and wonderful Vicki. This is my first time running a swap on 'blogland,' but I have run and organised a large number of swaps and activities on various forums over the years.
So I am really excited about my first blog swap, and I hope you are too!

So what is the Paper Bag swap I hear you asking? Well, many of you would have read about it in my previous posts, but for those who haven't, I will quickly explain.

Once you have signed up, you will recieve a swap partner, and then you are to collect a number of items and put them into a paper bag (it doesn't have to be a paper bag if you don't want to...could be any sort of small bag!)

These items must include the following: a fat quarter, some ribbon, some ric rac/lace, buttons and some embroidery thread. You can add extra bits to your bag if you would like (charms, more fabric, bells, beads etc, it's up to you.)
The paper bag and items are then sent to your swap partner, and it is their task to make a handmade object using all of those items. At the same time you will recieve a paper bag of items from the same person, and you have to also make a handmade item. You are allowed to add extra fabric or bits from your own stash, but you must use the items that were sent to you in some way. Once your handmade item is finished, it is then to be sent back to your swap partner.
Things to note:
- This is a direct swap. You will be sending to and recieving from the same person.
- International swappers are more than welcome! If you would prefer to swap with someone from your own country (to save on postage,) please let me know. If you don't mention that, I will assume that you are happy to swap with someone from overseas.
- You must be a genuine swapper, and have an active blog. This means that you make regular posts.
- You are more than welcome to include other items when you send your finished handmade object home.
- A thank you is a definate must. Once you have recieved your handmade item, please make sure that you thank you partner personally.
- Please keep in contact with me regarding your progress. If for some reason you cannot complete or fufil your swap agreeement, please let me know asap.
- If you would like to volounteer to be a 'swap angel, (someone who is called on to make an extra item in the event that a swap partner pulls out) please let me know.


Important Dates:

- Sign up is open till the 22nd Of March (Australian Time.)
- The draw will take place soon after, and details of your swapper will be emailed out to you within 3 days.
- Mailing date for your Paper Bag and unfinished items to your partner is the 5th of April.
- Mailing date for your finished Handmade item back to your partner is the 31st of May (gives you nearly 2 months to make the item.)

How to sign up?

If you want to sign up, please email me at smackenzie85 @ gmail.com (take out the two spaces around the @ sign.)with the following information before the 22nd of March:

Name:
Address:
Email Address:
Blog Address:
Colour preferences/styles/likes and dislikes:

In the subject line of the email, put "Paper Bag Swap." Please feel free to mention the swap on your blog if you would like to. The more the merrier!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me. I'm more than happy to help!

And the most important bit of information?? To have fun and be creative!! And if you read all that, and understood it all, well done!


31 comments:

CurlyPops said...

Yippee! What a fabulous giveaway. I can't resist crafty bits and bobs and Lindt chocolate.

Allison's Page said...

You could resist a box of goodies, congrats Sam on 50 posts,

Leah said...

What a mamoth post! Yes, I will be in it all, your giveaway and the swap, I will email you as directed! Lindt is my Favorite too,mmmm
Maths Sux!

Kimba4 said...

Wow Sam 50 posts. I will be in the giveaway. I really love looking at your blog.

Béa said...

Congratulations for your 50 posts !
Your blog is very attractive and as a newbee in Blogland, ( I started my blog only one week ago ),I hope to make mine as successful and pretty as yours.
Hugs from France, Béatrice

Unknown said...

Hi Sam , pick me , pick me !
Congrats and thanks .
clares craftroom

barb's creations said...

Hi Sam,
Sorry about the job.I'm hopeless at maths as well and don't get me started on geography.... Please enter me in your fantastic giveaway.I'll also be doing a giveaway for my 100th post so don't forget to check my blog out in the next week or so for it.Barb

Vicki ♥ said...

Sam congrats on 50 posts! But I think that box of goodies would be just great in my house :) I love looking at your blog and thank you for the lovely compliment too :) I really hope you go well with the job after you give her another call. Good luck :) At least we all will know to brush up on our maths if ever we are going to apply for one of these jobs. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi hi =). Hope the Maths problem will be sorted out 'cause I'm sure you well deserve the job! =D
Such a wonderful 50th post giveaway you're having! I'm looking forward towards the next 50 and more posts!

sandra said...

Wow, 50 posts, and a great giveaway. Enter me please.
Now go and brush up on the maths!! Same thing happened to me once and just as I was being asked maths questions the boss was called to the phone, came back and forgot what he had asked and I got the job!! (had to go home and do a crash maths course)

Amy said...

Sorry to hear about the interview - I suck at maths too, and I worked for a BANK! LOL. I'm sure you'll get it second time around. :D

Would also love to be entered into the giveaway, please! :)

Anonymous said...

Please Please please SAm can I enter your giveaway.

good luck for next time with the job. You'll get and than we can all get friends discount!!!!!HEHEHE

xx Geniene

Jantine said...

I like the give away! No chocolate is no problem as I am on a strict diet oat the moment and not supposed to eat any sugar or chocolat...
I did announce your give away and the paper bag swap in my post today, so maybe you will have some more Dutch swappers!

Koningskind said...

What a lovely bag you received.

Mistea said...

Congratulations on 50 posts. Please enter me in your giveaway. You are very generous. The bag you recieved is beautiful - Lucky you.

Kris said...

Congratulations on 50 posts! Don't feel that 50 aren't many, my first 50 took a very long time! It is a great milestone. Well done!

Ruth B said...

Oh my goodness that box of treasures looks amazing! What a generous and exciting giveaway. I will sit here with my fingers crossed until the drawing.
ruthrberke at yahoo dot com

Erika said...

Yeah your 50Th post!!! I am your fan you know and I am sooo happy for you those goodies are really good giveaway! I love them! wish me luck!
Erika
erikarichan at gmail dot com

Monique said...

Well, here's another Dutch blogger! (thanks to Jantine)

Congratulations with your 50th post! You're site looks adorable.
And so is the giveaway! Sorry to read there will be no chocolate in the overseasbox, but hey... now you can enjoy the Lindt ;-)

Hope you don't mind I link you on my website. Love to visit you in the future!

Greets from Holland
http://www.mamamonique.punt.nl

ikkinlala said...

Congratulations on 50 posts!

Margarita said...

Wow Sam what a long post. Congratulations on your 50th. I would love to be in the give-away. The paper bag swap also seems ike a wonderful idea.

Margarita said...

Forgot to add that I am sorry you missed out on the job because of a little maths. I am sure you will get it next time.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Sam on your 50th Post!! It goes fast hey?! Your box of goodies looks great! I'm sure that whoever the lucky winner is will be really pleased!!

Shall send you my details for the PB Swap.

Pip said...

Firstly congratulations on your 50th post, it doesn't take long to rack them up.
I'm so useless at estimating fabric requirements, I always end up with more than required (more is always better, right) practice some more and I'm sure the job will be yours.
Your giveaway looks fantastic, chocolate is always good. I'll have to have a think about the paper bag swap, it sounds good.
take care
Pip

miss~nance said...

Sam this is a very very generous giveaway, TY for the chance to enter.

COngratulations on your 50th post. You have a beautiful blog and I love popping over to check it out.

I have put a link on my blog also.

Hugs

Gail

Chookyblue...... said...

congrats on your 50th post........looking forward to the next 50........

Lucky-1 said...

Congrats on your 50th post. It comes around so quickly and I hope that the next 50 plus are just as interesting and exciting to read:D

Simone de Klerk said...

Gefeliciteerd met je 50e post!
Such a gorgeous giveaway. The 'paper bag swap' looks great. Unfortunately timing is not so good for me. Maybe some other day. Lots of fun!

Joolz said...

Hi MissyMack

Love your blog and would love to be in your giveaway.

I'm afraid I am a bit frightened by the swap, me not being a sewer of any sort. I will wait with anticipation to see some photos of finished items. It might inspire me to join in a swap next time.

Your quilts and that bag you made were lovely. You are really talented.

Cheers - Joolz

toffle said...

Wow what a great giveaway. My mum was in the paper bag swap/s too. She did both types. I did not get to sign up in time..
Maybe this time.

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

Hi Sam,
congrats on your 50th post, I hope that you have very many more,
have fun! Shiree