Monday, November 9, 2009

Hawthorne Threads Giveaway

This is a great giveaway for sewers!! Hawthorne Threads is giving away two prizes. First prize is a Firenze Bag Kit. This kit includes a pattern with instructions, fabrics, muslin, cording, color coordinated thread and zipper - all necessary materials except interfacing!

Second and Third Place winners will receive a Fat Quarter set of Girly Girl in Sweet by Patricia bravo. "Girly Girl blends flirty flower designs with geometric lines creating a charming look. These playful and bubbly prints will inspire you to create beautiful designs for your sweet girl."

For a chance to win visit:
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/giveaway

Christmas Crafting


I usually don't make things to sell for holidays. Why do you ask? Well, mostly because every time I have done so in the past they've never sold, and unlike other items that may not sell, you can't really leave them listed after the holiday hoping they will eventually sell. Especially at full price. So, unless you want to mark them down to the point where you're almost losing money, or unlist them and waste listing fees, it doesn't seem like it's worth the effort.
However, this year I decided to make a couple of things for Christmas. While looking through my fabric stash I happened to find these adorable Christmas applique animals on a panel. What to do with them? I HAD to use them some way. Ornaments? no, too big. Stuffed toys? no, I already made some of those. I know! Why not applique them onto stockings and gift bags? So that's what I decided to do. I made a matching stocking and gift bag for each one and decided to sell them as sets. I think they'd be cute for kids as well as animal-loving adults.AND I'm selling them CHEAP! I mean, dirt cheap compared to what others are selling just stockings for! You can find these in my etsy shop either on the first page, or under the Holidays category.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Are You Scared?


This is Brody.
He's a year old.
He weighs 18 lbs.
He likes to steal his Mom's food after he's eaten all his.
He doesn't care.

Mom is pregnant with his baby brother.
She's hungry.
He doesn't care.

Mom asks for a bite of HER sandwich.
Brody's baby brother is hungry.
He doesn't care.

This is the face Brody makes if she tries to take back her sandwich
Are you scared yet?

Monday, October 26, 2009

And the Winner Is....

The winner of the tote giveaway is Christian!! Congrats!! I'll just need an address so I can send you the tote! Thanks for entering!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Art Case

Last year I had made my little great nieces and nephews coloring totes for Christmas. They were tote bags that were the perfect size for holding a couple of coloring books and a box of crayons. They absolutely loved them! Being the person I am, I always look for ways to improve some of the things I make (either I'm a perfectionist or just plain anal--you be the judge).

While getting a cross stitch project all ready to work on, I took a look at my project case. Inspiration! Why couldn't I take this same idea and make an art case for kids? Maybe instead of just holding a couple of coloring books and box of crayons, it could hold a bit more. I have had this idea brewing for some time now, but of course as usually happens, it got put on the back burner while I worked on other projects.

A couple of nights ago, I thought to myself: Christmas is coming. I have a few baby items in my shops now, so I should work on something for older children. What about that art case idea?! Sure! Why not? So the other day, I made a sketch of my idea. Then I proceeded to figure out measurements, etc (all the "fun" stuff!). And walla! I have made my first art case! I must say, it turned out quite well--the first time! I know, right? When does anything ever turn out right the first time lol.

So here is the finished product! It will hold 12 crayons and markers (each in it's own pocket), coloring book(s), activity books, or whatever books you choose to put in it. It also has a pouch so your budding artisan can store scissors, stickers, glue, etc. I had planned to put a sketch pad in it, but not quite wide enough. It will hold coloring books and other books though so I'm debating whether I should make it wider for a sketch pad.

So, let me know what you think! I would love to get these listed in the shop ASAP so any suggestions or ideas for improvement will be very much welcome! Also, should I include the supplies (crayons, markers, coloring books) or no? Or should I make that up to the buyer? And most importantly, how much would you be willing to pay for something like this (with or without supplies)?

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Tote Giveaway


Are you looking for a new tote but don't want to pay a lot of money? How about a free one? I am having a giveaway for this cute little tote. It would be perfect to carry to the beach (for those of you who aren't freezing this time of year), shopping, or you can use it for your every day bag!

It's made of brightly colored cotton fabrics and contains plenty of pockets to keep your essentials well organized.

Top and lining of bag feature bright blue striped fabric while bottom and handles of bag are black with brightly colored stars. Front and back pockets have brightly colored stripes on a white background.

There are seven various sized pockets inside. Bag closes with a magnetic snap that is located on the tab and body of bag. Batting is used inside of bag for durability and stiffness.

To enter giveaway, just visit either (or both) of my shops and let me know which item(s)you like best.
www.LilBitSassy.zibbet.com
www.LilBitSassy.etsy.com

For extra entries, tweet about it, post it on Facebook, blog about it, or follow my blog. Just post separate comments with links.

Giveaway ends Oct. 25th. I will post winner's name on the 26th. Be sure to post a contact link (email, blog, twitter, FB, etc.)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Will You Join Me?

To all my fellow crafters who are interested: I have decided to try something new and you can join me! I would like to make sample boxes to sell in my etsy store. They will contain samples of my work and hopefully yours too if you decide to join me in this venture.

Why do I want to do this you ask? I think it would be fun! Plus it would give buyers an incentive to purchase handmade if they could see firsthand the quality of handmade goods. I thought I could make several different items to put in the box and see how it sold.

Why would I need other crafters to participate? Because I think it would be fun for customers to find various crafted items in their box instead of just one type of item. So I thought I would try to recruit other crafters to see if they were interested in participating.

What do you get out of it? Exposure! People will see what wonderful things you can create, your attention to detail, and hopefully you will get a few sales out of it. All it will cost you is a little time and supplies! Think of it as participating in a giveaway!

If you are interested, just contact me and let me know and I will give you the details.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

More Interesting Facts

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury. --Well that might've been true LAST year.

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coca-Cola was originally green.

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $16,400

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair..

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace

Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession

Q.. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'?
A. One thousand

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common?
A. All were invented by women.

Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey

Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day

Did you try to lick your elbow?

How Did that Phrase Come About?

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have, 'Rule of thumb'

Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'.. .and thus, the word GOLF entered into the English language.

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...'Goodnight , sleep tight'

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.' It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'

Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Wrist Rattles


I am so excited about my latest project! I have made quite a few of these and they are so fun! Introducing wrist rattles for babies. They feature cute prints that babies will love. Each of them are stuffed lightly with polyfil and contain bells for a soft jingling sound when baby shakes his/her arm. Velcro on the bands make these fit even the smallest wrist. These are listed in all my shops and would make a great addition to your gift basket--or stocking stuffer! Christmas will be here before long!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Why I Love Charm Packs


I love charm squares. What are charm squares? They are precut coordinating squares of fabric (usually 3-5” squares) that come in 20-80 piece packs. Why do I love them? There are several reasons. For one, they are convenient. They are the perfect size for smaller projects. Being precut also means that some of the prep work has already been done—mainly the measuring and cutting of fabric. They’re also all the exact same size. Which means better uniformity in projects.

I also like the fact that they come in such wonderful prints, from babies to florals. You can also find them in cottons, flannels, or even home décor fabrics. You can make anything from quilts to totes with them. I have used them for sachets, coasters, totes, purses, and baby toys (I’m not a quilter). I’m sure in the future I will find even more projects in which to use them.

I also like the value factor. They usually cost $5 per pack and up (my quilt shop usually sells them from $6-$8). It all depends how many charms are in the pack and the designer. Let’s say for example, you purchased a pack of 40 charms for $8 and you wanted to make coasters with them. You could make 20 coasters (since they are usually coordinating fabrics, you have a front and back piece). You have spent 40 cents per coaster (not counting your interfacing). Now is that a bargain or what!

So the next time you visit your local quilt shop, take a gander at what charm packs they may have. You may be surprised at the variety and what you can make with them. You don’t even have to be a quilter to love them!