Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sewing Frenzy & A Giveaway

My mom is an amazing seamstress. And when I graduated from college, she presented me with a great Singer sewing machine. It was totally rebuilt, probably about as old as I was, heavy as all get-out and split pea green. And I loved it. In fact, I sewed the poor thing into the ground so hard that after about 8 years, my sewing machine guy threw in the towel and told me he couldn't fix it anymore. Thus began my love/hate relationship with Singer. I have owned two more new Singers and have hated them both. Hated. Had nothing but problems with them and because of it, I had just about stopped sewing altogether. Well, Mom was having none of that and she offered to buy me a new sewing machine if I did the research and decided what I wanted. And this is what I decided on. It's the most basic Viking, but I.Love.It. And I've been sewing non-stop for the last 4 weeks.

These are some of the projects I've been working on: Moose On The Porch Quilts is having a Quilt Along and every two weeks comes out with a new quilt block designed by a talented quilter. I've had a stash of patriotic fabric tucked away for years so instead of using jellyrolls, I'm using my stash. It will be pretty amazing when it's all done! These are my first six squares.

And about 3 weeks ago I was introduced to the most delightful little fabric shop called Buttercuppity that has the cutest fabric, the most darling patterns and the nicest owner. So on my maiden visit, I bought some fabric and this pattern. I made up a Gathered Chemisette for myself and had enough fabric left over to make a Florentine Chemisette to giveaway!

So here's the deal. If you'd like to win the Florentine Chemisette, leave me a comment and tell me what you think I should name my new sewing machine. Link to this post on your blog and leave me another comment letting me know and you'll get another chance.  If you have never left a comment on my blog before, come out of lurking and leave me another comment and let me know and you'll get another chance.  If you don't have a blog or if your blog is private, please leave me your email address so I can let you know when you win!!  I'll use my random selector (aka Joshua) to pick a winner on Tuesday night, June 22th. Good luck!!

35 comments:

Nykreim said...

I am not very creative when it comes to this sort of thing, but when I read "Florantine" I thought that might be a cute name!!??
And I love... the bag!!

Nykreim said...

I also put a link to your giveaway on my blog!! Thanks!!

Lynn said...

You are SO blessed to have a mom who taught you how to sew. What a fantastic talent you have there. One I truly wish I had.

Hence the reason, I am now coming out and admitting I read your blog. ; D

crapo@shaw.ca

Renee G said...

I would probably name it Peace.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

April said...

I'm feeling lucky! That turned out really cute Ambs! I think Ingvar is a nice name for a Viking. Just a thought! :)

LOVES!

P.S. If I don't win, maybe I could borrow your new pattern!??!

The Brough Family said...

I love it. What a cute bag. Wish we lived close enough that you could just teach me how to do it, or at least I could watch you do it! You have know idea how badly I need a good craft day right now! Cool new machine too... I have a love/hate (mostly hate lately) with my Singer too! I say you name it Bertha! (No good reason)

Wendy P said...

I had a very similar experienc with Singer. My poor old singer died just a few years ago and had to be replaced. I quickly learned that the new singers are not the old singers! I was thinking that since your new machine is a viking, you could nave it Astrid.

Love the bag! so cute, I can't wait to check out more fabric from your new discovery.

Jeni said...

VICKIE!!!...she is a Viking.

My heart is excitedly beating God Bless America looking at your beautiful quilt blocks...that is going to be one awesome quilt!

That purse is screaming to come home to it's new mama!!! What gorgeous fabric.

The FOUR M's... said...

Hey Amber! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that bag! How cute is that!! You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and talent. Love it. My vote is that you name your Viking.... Maggie. I just think it's cute for some reason. :o)

Anyway, I posted on my blog as well -- you know where to find me. Have a super day! (And I can't wait to see how your quilt turns out!! Maybe I'll get brave enough someday to try something fun like that!)

Anonymous said...

You quilt is going to be so cute. And the bag is adorable. I haven't sewed much since the Noah's Ark animals in Texas, just a little hear and there. You could name her Sweet Sally. I don't blog, but love keeping up on your family. We miss you guys. Steph

Jenny said...

Hi, since I'm new to your blog please don't enter me into the giveaway...it wouldn't be right.

I saw you on a friends blog and it is really cute here!

Maybe you could name your Viking Violet and put a few little purple dots or even a violet sticker on her!

I like simple, simple sewing machines, too.

Less frustration for sure!

Amy said...

Ooooh, enter me please. amyhub at shaw dot ca. I heard about this giveaway and your blog from my friend Melissa at the 4M's, and was happy to see Lynn also reads this blog. Hmmm, a name for the machine, "Stitch".

Rosanne said...

So cute! Sign me up for a chance to win. I'm glad you found a sewing machine that you love. Maybe you could name it something cute after your mom. Does she have a nickname?

The Toronto Family said...

I say you should name it Jane, or Janie, not to creative I know. But when I think of sewing I think of Will's mom who passes away, and she loved reading and sewing. Her name was Jane. Or if there is someone (like your mom) that inspired your love for sewing maybe you could name it after them. just a though.

TOTALLY SUPER CUTE BAG!!!!

I would love to win it! :)

The Toronto Family said...

posted a link to my blog (it is private but you can see, can see it) and you have my email.

love love love this adorable little bag!!!

Sharlyn said...

Amber, I seriously want to be you! You are so crafty! I like the name Goldilocks.

Marisa said...

Name it Olaf, aren't all Vickings named Olaf? or Thor. (Olafina or Thorina if it needs to be a girl :-))

Andrew & Sarah Clawson said...

Awesome bag! Love it! My mother also had a Viking- I used to call it The Horn... my email is asclawson@verizon.net

Kathleen said...

cute bag! you're just so talented! hmmm...the first that came to mind was "thor" but that's just b/c he's a viking superhero. i hope i win! :-)

Micaela said...

I don't have a blog (and you might not remember me from the few times we met), but I saw this on Joann's blog and thought I'd play. :) This bag is SO, SO cute!!

I like the name "Cami". Not sure why, but I think it suits a sewing machine.

micaelatice@hotmail.com

Amy said...

I love your blog is awesomee!!!!!!!!!! You should name your sewing machine, "Victor The Viking". I have never commented on your blog my email is mikenamyholt@hotmail.com

Heather said...

I'm so happy for you to have a machine that you love! I have a Kenmore and I am really happy with it. When it came time for me to replace my very old heavy clunker that I inherited from my Mom, I chose a Kenmore because I had been to several Super Saturday activities where the sisters were lined up behind the handful of Kenmore machines because none of the other machines present could handle the projects being done! Seeing that patriotic fabric made me think of Betsy Ross--I think Betsy would be a great name for your machine! :-)

Anonymous said...

Glad to see your sewing again. You always make the most creative projects. LOVE the bag!

How about naming your machine "Chery" so you can think of me when you are sewing. JK :)

Anonymous said...

well, since i am NOT a sewer and kindly ask my husband to figure out our cheap machine any time we ABSOLUTELY have to use it, i would probably name any sewing machine something like gertrude or beulah. but since you love yours and it's a viking, maybe Astrid or Ingrid or Matilda.

Anonymous said...

ps - the last anonymous comment with Astrid, Ingrid, and Matilda was from me . . . Courtney (I always forget to sign my name)!

BeckyRuss said...

You are so talented. I have been looking around for different sewing machines cause my sis in law wants to buy one,so I'm glad to hear that you like your new Viking machine. I'll tell her about it. I'd name it Staja, (pronounced STA-SHA) taking the first letter of each member of your family. I know, I'm lame. It's creative though right?!

BeckyRuss said...

I left the Y out when pronouncing the name I chose, so you'd say it like Anastasia, so STASIA. It sounds better when you say it then reading it here on your blog :)

Jackie said...

how about May? or clemementine?

EarlGirl said...

Love the bag! Is that fabric store around here? You've got to tell me where it is!

shauna said...

I have a Viking Prelude and I LOVE her! I call her Husqi for two reasons. First, she is made by Husqvarna and second, she is strong enough to tackle every project I have thrown her way. That's my suggestion...the bag is adorable!

My blog is private but you can email me at shaunsalmon {at} gmail {dot} com if I win!

Megalicious said...

I like the name Jose. Just saying...Love the purse!

Jami Rugg said...

I think something sentimental yet, simple as that is the reason you lovoe this machine so much better. Maybe like The month you bought it is.... May of June.... as it marks a time of change for the better with your sewing. It's all love and fun from here on out right!!!

Sarah said...

I have always been envious of your AWESOME sewing talents! I can empathize with your Singer plight. I finally had to give up my 35 year old SInger about a year go. I was having to have it fixed CONSTANTLY and finally gave up. Love to see your cute projects! As always....you are the BEST! love and miss you....

Bonnie B. said...

Love it! I need new sewing machine, too. I say name her ole' bessie.

Amber M. said...

Closed!:-)