I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Saturday 21 August 2010

ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING AND ONE HUNDRED POSTS!!

COMMENTS NOW CLOSED
Well, it's finally here...... my one year blogiversary and my one hundredth post!! I've had a fantastic year. I just love blogland and all that comes with it! There are so many talented people out there and it's so wonderful that they share their knowledge and ideas.

Now, I know you are all waiting to find out what my give-a-way prize is,
so............... TA-DAH!!


Of course!! it had to be a bag!

with a matching tissue holder, tea/coffee wallet and coaster
plus a nifty Envirosax (the original designer reusable bag)

the other side of the bag

See the coffee bags and tea bags?
or you could use it for rewards cards or store cards!


The bag pattern is the Pick-a-pocket purse from allpeoplequilt.com, Designer: Monica Solorio-Snow of Happy Zombie (thehappyzombie.com). Thanks Monica!

The tea wallet pattern came from The Sewing Calendar 2010, September 27,28 & 29. Designed by Christy Hemby - christyscreations.com. Thanks Christy! (the huge button on the front is extremely old, probably an antique)

The tissue holder is made using a great super easy tutorial I found at Melinda Quilts Etc. Thanks Melinda!

The Envirosax shopping bag is so cute, it's ethically made, waterproof, fully washable - won't fade, tested for strength & safety and super strong, will hold 20Kg (44lbs), also carbon offset by planting rainforest trees AND it's fashionable & fun! I purchased this one at my LQS - Thanks Liisa!!

I decided to make the pick-a-pocket bag, as I really love making this pattern and also, I had received so many lovely comments on the bag in my header but I was not able to purchase any more of the same fabrics but I think the fabrics I have chosen are very similar!

Now, how to run this give-a-way........

It's pretty simple, just be a follower who leaves a comment on this post! Really, that's it!!

....and I think I'll use Lynda's method of Random Generator - Yep, the old hand in the bowl method, works every time!!! Go check out Lynda's blog - oh yes indeed..... ANOTHER GIVE-A-WAY!!

....and when will this bundle of goodies be drawn I hear you ask??!!

AUGUST 28th
(which could be August 27th where you live!!!)

so you have one week to enter. Of course you can tell your friends!! Of course you can blog about it and of course you can grab my button, but that won't get you any more entries in the draw... sorry, but I'm trying to keep this simple, O.K. people???

Oh, and one more thing..... you can enter if you live across the street from me or across the Pacific or anywhere else in the world!!!

As I have a week before the give-a-way closes, I could even add a few more items into the parcel!!

So thanks everyone! It will be one exciting week! I will be posting during the week if I have any show and tell, so until then........

Happy Sewing!

23/08/10
A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM HELEN:-

I'm receiving comments from "no reply" emails, so I won't be able to contact you if you win! You have to enable your profile otherwise I can't find you!!!

So far, these are the names with "NO REPLY" for their email....

JOKE, CONNIE204, DOMESTIC DIVA, FLYING BLIND, MIMI, TESS, ERILYN, ITS JUST ME, JAN

(some of the above I know the blog name, but not all!!! SO PLEASE ENABLE YOUR PROFILE TO SHOW YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND THEN SEND ME AN EMAIL TO LET ME KNOW, THANKS!!) IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX YOUR PROFILE SETTINGS, AT LEAST SEND ME AN EMAIL FROM A "REAL" ADDRESS!

28/08/2010 - comments now closed!!!!!

54 comments :

  1. That bag is to die for...I am a follower, not always a commentor....but does that count? I will blog...I know, not extra points but well....you know...maybe I shouldn't and keep it to myself????

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  2. Congrats on one year and 100 posts
    I enjoy them all
    Love to win the bag of goodies but not likely to happen
    Iam a followere and commenter

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  3. Pick me, pick me!
    Congrats on one year of blogs and 100 posts. I love readying your blog and seeing all the wonderful things you make. I am looking forward to many more blog posts. The bags are gorgeous, and the colour combo is perfect, you are so talented. Go girl!

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  4. My first impression of these items was that you used Australian aborigonal print fabric ....and I thought "How Cool"! They are really beautiful and YES like everyone else I'd love to win them...but I'll leave it to Fate and the mixing bowl. It's my pleasure to follow your interesting blog.
    :) Congrats on 100 posts!

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  5. Congrats on 100 posts. And yes I have read them all over the time. I'm not across the road but I do drive close by quite regularly. And I am happy to come and collect if necessary ( wishful thinking)

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  6. Oh my goodness this is an amazing giveaway and I would be honoured to win such a beauty. Congratulations on your 100 posts. I am a follower and have been for a while. Hugs Bunny

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  7. Helen, thank you for th chance to win this beautiful prize which ends on my birthday. I am trying to become a follower but there is something wrong with the link. I will try again.

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  8. Hi Helen, congratulations on your blogiversary! Blogging is such fun, isn't it?
    Best wishes, Linda
    PS Oooh, what a gorgeous bag!

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  9. What a wonderful give-away!!! Congratulations on your blog-a-versary and 100 posts! Your blog is lots of fun to follow and I'm glad I found you! ~karen

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  10. Hi Helen, Congratulations on your 100 anniversary. I am a follower of your Blog and enjoy reading your posts. What a fantastic give-a-way!
    Nancy

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  11. Hallo Helen,
    Congratulations on the "birthday" of your blog.
    I think it 's a very generous give away!
    greetings and happy quilting,
    Joke W.
    the Netherlands

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  12. I am also a follower but don't comment all the time. My favorite thing is to make bags and baby quilts. This bag is terrific and reminds me of a good friend. Connie

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  13. Helen, your giveaway is fantastic! I have been a follower for a long time and always enjoy your blog and comments. Thanks for mentioning mine too. Isn't this a fun way to meet new blogging friends. I've got my fingers and toes crossed to win.

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  14. COngratulations from a fellow "100 posts/1yr of blogging" blogger. It's a great achievement. Your giveaway is brilliant, really, really brilliant. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  15. Congratulations on 100 POSTS!!Oh how beautiful! I hope you pick me! You have such a nice blog! I am a follower and will blog about your giveaway on my blog!!
    http://oneygirl-myquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/08/bloggy-giveaways-australian-block-swap.html

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  16. Thank you so much for prefering such easy entry method - It is great! I am new follower of your blog, I live in Europe and I love your bag (my fav earthy colors).:-)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  17. Happy Blogtastic Anniversary - I hope that I have as much enthusiasm and can inspire a fraction of the people you do when I have been going for a year!

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  18. First things first... Happy 100 posts! That is just awesome and now that I have signed up to follow you, I'm looking forward to the next 100!! Woo Hoo!

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  19. congratulations! i love the bag and accessories. i'm a follower now.
    songyueyu at gmail

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  20. Congrats! I'm a new follower, enjoying the browsing.

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  21. What a fantastic giveaway and congratulations on your milestone. I now follow you

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  22. Congratulations, Helen! Great blog and fantastic giveaway - I love your bags, wish I had time to make some!

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  23. WOW! Someone will be very Lucky! Congrats!!

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  24. Congratulations on your 100th post and your blogiversary!

    And I didnt just comment to be in with a chance...although I wont turn it down if I get lucky!

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  25. Congrats on the century Helen! I love the bag of goodies and would be so lucky to win! I think I am already a follower but maybe as my previous 'name' so will go again, just in case! Suz

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  26. Happy blogiversary from the big land DownUnder! Wow 100 posts, that's great. The fabric you have chosen is amazing and you've done a fantastic job. I am so jealous...you are really talented. I'm hoping that your "random generator" will pick me :-).

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  27. Hi Helen I just joined your blog. Hopefully you can see me, because the last blog I joined made me invisible??? I can't wait to see your future posts. Random generator...just brilliant!

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  28. Hi Helen!

    Congratulations on your 100th blog anniversary which happens to be my birthday! However, I am not 100 years old, YET!

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  29. Congrats and I will tell you already that I want that bag!!

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  30. Happy blogiversary. Isn't it a wonderful use of the internet? I am always in such awe of all that people do and share. Here's to many more years!!!!

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  31. Congratulations on reaching 1 year - hasn't blogging changed your life for the better? I am so pleased I've been able to meet the people I have met - and there's such a slim chance that we ever would have met 'in real life'. It's like a gift without a holiday attached!

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  32. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE "NO REPLY", AND HAVE FOUND A COUPLE.

    SORRY JAN, MIMI AND ITS JUST ME, BUT I CANNOT FIND YOU VIA A BLOG - YOU WILL HAVE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY VIA EMAIL OR ... PLEASE ENABLE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR BLOGGER PROFILE SETTINGS.

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  33. What a great giveaway. You have spent so much time making this thoughtful and fun gift, how do you have time to blog??? But, congratulations on one year of blogging. The funny part is I just made a "pick a pocket" bag today, too. It really is a good pattern.

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  34. Thanks for such a generous giveaway.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  35. Hi Helen,
    I tried to change the settings on my profile.
    Now it should be possible to read my emailadress.
    greetings from the Netherlands,
    Joke W.

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  36. Please Count me in I would love That bag It is Very pretty.
    Hugs Mary.

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  37. Hi Helen, I think I've added my email somewhere now - if not: hadley.1@virgin.net Thank you for tracking me down x

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  38. Hi Helen, me again! Congrats! Just love your bags [still]

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  39. What a wonderful gift! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  40. Hello Helen, how is life treating you lately. I don't want a chance to win the bag just wanted to stop in.

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  41. Helen,
    ongrats on reaching this milestone! I am so glad we "met" thru blogging, and I would love a chance to win your beautiful prize! To the next 100, and the next, etc.!!!

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  42. Blogiversary, what a great word. Well done on 12 months of a great blog. I could go on about how great your stuff is but you know what I think.
    Just thought I'd say Hi before I head off for another glorious day in & around Lisbon.
    Adeus xx

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  43. congrats on 1 year and 100 posts I would love to be in this draw I am a follower
    hugs Beth

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  44. Congrats on one year and your 100th post! I would love to win your bag of goodies! How generous of you. I am a follower of your blog. Happy Stitching

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  45. Congratulations on your 100th post. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a nice prize.
    I am happy to become a follower of your blog.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

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  46. Congrats in your first year of blogging and for your 100th posts, I'm glad I've found you!!!!

    I'd love to have a chance to be entered and picked to win such a cute bag, I'm a big fan of them and I just felt in love... <3 I tried to sign up for the giveaway some days ago and it didn't work for me, wish me luck! maybe it was a hint-hint, lol

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  47. Hi Helen, congrats on your blogiversary and for being a great blogging friend. All the best
    xxoo

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  48. I am working on the pattern you sent me. I showed it to my daughter in law yesterday and she was thrilled. It is for my second grandson. Thanks to you!

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  49. Hi Helen, congrats on your 100th post and anniversary! You are so talented and I appreciate your kind comments and support!. All the best to you! Looking forward to the next 100 !!!!

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  50. Beautiful bag and accessories! Happy Blogversary!

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  51. Hi! I follow you now. The bag and accessories is so fun looking. I have never owned a bag like this, so thank you for the opportunity to celebrate your blog-aversary! Here's to joining you for 2 years and 200 posts! mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  52. Love this bag! It is delicious! Thanks for a great giveaway!

    I am a follower!
    Tracy Dawson
    dawson.tracy35@yahoo.com

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