Giveaway Winner and some crafty randomness

I am back! I hope you enjoyed having the guest posts from Lucy at Charm about You, Popbabe7 and Emma. Thank you so much girls for keeping things running in my absence! 

Now what is it all about this randomness (I was not going to start by the winner, right!)? I finally had a chance to see the patchwork/cross-stitch plaid I made my parents two years ago. It is sitting on their couch in the Alps - totally in context obviously. 

So the cross-stitched cow trail (that you can sort of make out at the top left of the plaid) was the original purchase. I bought it with my Mum, oohhh 7 years ago (at least - the shop does not exist anymore), I finished it 2 years and a half ago.. and could have just framed it (It was hard enough to do to deserve it!). But no! Why do simple when you can over-complicate things? I decided that it would look very good on a plaid. It is OK, but the best piece is really that cross-stitch, let's face it... I may have over-complicated things.   


Apart from that I also found a picture of me - for those who want to know what I look like. This is totally representative of course.. as I was probably 2 in that picture (a family favourite, everyone has at least 2 in their houses). All I can say is thank you L'Oreal for bringing some natural blond highlights in my life, and thank you straighteners for getting rid of this locks I struggle with every morning. 

That dress my Mum and Mamy's favourite,
and they like it SO MUCH they keep buying more for
my non-existent children (yes they do and are open about it!)

Finally, the giveaway winner. You remember there was a lovely print from IOTA Illustration to win ... I decided not to go for random.org as I was concerned that the first or last entries would not get picked. M was slightly worried that the participants who did not win would track him down (I can give you his work address if you want...). Here is the innocent hand... 

M is getting in the spirit of Valentine's Day (balloons from Paperchase)

Anyway, unfortunately there could be only one winner, and that is

So Sarah at Almost Delightful, I will be in touch with you and this is all going to get to you very soon. 

I am hoping to run more giveaways as I loved running. I have a new target in mind.. So stay tune and follow me! 

What does blogging means to me - by Emma

The blogging web

Hey everyone! So we’ve made it to Friday – yay!

Emma here from Gawgus Things having the honour of Guest Posting whilst Nat is off having fun!

It’s been fun reading all the other posts that have been popping up in Nat’s absence and today it’s my turn to tell you what blogging means to me!

I started regularly blogging in October 2010. I’d started reading other blogs a few months before and loved them so much that I really wanted to be part of the blogging scene.

I’ve been extremely lucky since I’ve started blogging in that I’ve only ever had positive experiences with my fellow bloggers. I know, I know, you haven’t succeeded unless you’ve received at least one negative comment so I’ve still got a way to go ;)

Since I’ve started blogging I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of talent that is out there. Whether it’s how someone has styled an outfit, a DIY that they’ve done, a skill that they’ve shared or a place that they’ve visited; I’m still amazed every day by what I come across.

I feel like I’m learning every day from people I’ve unfortunately never met, or likely to either, but I love it when you get a connection with someone (hey, Nat!) and feel that a genuine friendship is building.

I love the support you get if you’re feeling a bit down or want advice on something or help on how to do something. Everyone is so open and eager to help you either feel better or get a task done.

The blogging world has made me push boundaries, open my eyes and given me the courage to just go for it! Thank you all for this, I give you a big cheer and hugs all round J

Don’t forget there’s still time to enter Nat’s fantastic giveaway. Just click here for details!!

My thoughts on blogging (Popbabe7)

Hi everyone I'm hijacking Noa's Libellule blog for today! For those of you who don't know me, my blogging ID is Popbabe7 and you can find me here. We've been old blogging buddies now, and when she requested me to guest post I felt very privileged as she is just so fabulous!

I have been known to start a blog, write a couple of posts, cringe when re-reading them and then deleting the whole thing altogether, hoping that nobody other than me read it!!! I bet most of us did that didn't we? It is very hard to start a blog, and unless you have a clear idea of what you want to write about this is just going to be a collection of random posts (some people are great at it- I am not!). I felt more at ease when my blog got a "direction" and I started writing about learning to sew and knit. It even got easier when I started my "A Project A Week" in 2011. Overall I did a good job at updating regularly my blog, and blogging has become a bit of a second nature to me now. Even when I haven't been busy myself I try to share my thoughts, and will include pictures that inspire me.

Some of my projects from"A Project A Week"

The best bit about blogging for me is meeting new people. I always get very excited when someone takes the time to leave a comment about one of my posts, and I also love to discover new blogs who will inspire me. Back in December I had my first blogger meet-up and had a fantastic day- highly recommended!! Because sewing and knitting tend to be "solitary" hobbies (unless you join a knitting group) it is lovely to know that there are some people out there sharing the same passion, and willing to pass on some of their wisdom should you get stuck on a project! Did I also mention that the people in the craft community are the nicest people ever?? I have blogged about things that have gone terribly wrong, because I'm quite honest and hoped that maybe I would get some help from crafters more experienced and more talented than me. All I got was kind words of encouragement- which is really good when you are not so confident!!

You also know that people who blog about something are truly interested in it. Is it just me who found myself getting all excited about a knitting pattern/ sewing project only to be met with a blank/ amused stare from my partner/ colleagues? At least on blogs you can oooohh and ahhhh over a finished project without other people being worried for your sanity!

Finally I was asked to provide a picture which will sum up my idea of blogging. I am a notoriously bad photographer- most some of the pics on my blog are atrocious, so I pinched a picture from Shakespeare and Company, a library in France. I often see the internet as a giant town with all its good and bad things, big shops, small shops, dark areas, luxury quarters and so on. In this town, blogs are little clusters of knowledge and passion, scattered on virtual library shelves.I thought this was the perfect picture to represent my idea of the blogging community.

Source

 

That's it from me! Before you go, don't forget to enter Noas' Libellule fantastic giveaway- you still have time to enter and share your thoughts about what blogging means to you. Thanks for reading my ramblings!!

x

What the blog?

Hello Noas' Libellule readers and visitors! I'm Lucy and I blog at Charm About You.

I'll be taking over this space today so I hope you don't mind!

I've been asked to share a little about what blogging means to me. I've been thinking about it a lot and it's really hard not to come off cheesy or just end up repeating what countless others say. Nathalie said I could include a picture, which helps because that's sometimes the best way to explain something.

My husband took this picture of my son some time ago,
he's looking through a cardboard box!

I blog about my quilting, this is not a sewing related picture and yet I immediately knew that this picture best represents how I feel about blogging.

There's a sense of exploration; of myself, my creativity, growth, skills and possibilities.

I feel like blogging is a way of looking out into the world, framing myself in the process. Connecting with others, telling my story, sharing my sewing journey.

The light is so crucial to this picture and blogging for me has created so much light. I don't have to hark on to people who aren't interested in my sewing, I have a place to share with like minded people, I have encouragement, support and friends. I follow and read so many interesting blogs, I feel inspired every day seeing people's creations, discovering techniques and learning so much from everyone. It's led me to challenge myself, to do things I wouldn't have even considered on my own and to begin to develop my own sewing and writing style.

There's a dreamy, pensive quality to this picture too. I'm a full time mum and despite the fact I adore what I do there's a longing to fulfill another part of myself - for me quilting and blogging are something I do that's mine. I ponder, I prepare, I sew, I make, I write, I share. Those rays of light are those wonderful cables that link me to all of you!
(I knew this would end up being cheesy)


I've been very lucky since I started blogging last year and wanted to help spread some joy (or not!!). I'm having a Fugly Fabric Party over on my blog starting tomorrow, I'd love for you to come and check it out!

Also if you haven't already seen it you must immediately go and enter Nathalie's giveaway - the girl has seriously good taste! Must be why we're friends ;)

It is GIWEAWAY time

It is Fridaaayyyyy!! And it is GIVEAWAY time! I am so excited guys, I cannot tell you ... It took me a bit of time to figure out what I wanted to be giving away. I thought yarn or fabric (obvious), and then thought that it might be restricting, not everyone reading my blog is into this... back to the drawing board. I also post a lot on what I want to display in my house.. and I thought a print from an Etsy artist would be brilliant, and really in keeping with the blog.

I wanted a print that represented my vision of blogging - a way to reach out and be connected to a community I would not necessarily be in touch with otherwise. I work in a totally different field, and this is a way to express my own creativity in the evening and share it with like-minded people. I thought Ollie's print encapsulated how I feel about this blog.

Out on the Lark by IOTA Illustration

So as you may have gathered this is not a sponsored giveaway as I wanted to choose freely what the prize was going to be. The winner will have a limited edition illustration titled - 'Out on a Lark' printed on the finest archival matte canvas paper. The print is part of a limited edition of 50 and comes numbered, signed and titled by hand by the artist! it is a very me print to be honest. I hope you like it too!

What do you need to do to enter:

1. You need to be a follower (through Twitter, BlogLovin', Google friends)

2. Leave me a comment letting me know how you follow the blog

3. In your comment let me know what blogging means to you

4. If you tweet about it (and copy me @NoasLibellule) you can enter a second time by commenting about your tweet.

The GIVEAWAY finishes on Sunday 12th at 12 when I am back from holiday - leaves people more than a week to come and comment. M, the ever innocent hand, will pick a winner.

Good luck guys!


 - This Giveaway is now finished, and Sarah at Almost Delightful won it, follow me there may be a next giveaway - 

Finishing and Announcing

I have been analysing my granny square blanket A LOT (you know the one I made for the Janaury Defi'13). And there was something wrong with it. Not an obvious 'wrong' (ie the colours were not wrong), but it did not look finished. And I did not like it. After a bit of blog stalking - one of my favourite pastimes - I came across Faustine's own granny square blanket (made for the same Defi'13) and I could see that she had a really nice finish. The solution was simple she said, the last row is a single crochet row made of a contrasting yarn - of course!

Once I started, that was it. I knew it was right for the blanket. I had some grey Cocoon left - not a full skein, but just enough for this last row. I really like the effect, it looks like a blanket stitch and really finish off the granny square (so no temptation for me making it even bigger!).

So guys, what do you do when you know there is something wrong? Do you have a standard solution or do you try to find similar projects on blogs? or do you just give up...

Anyway, did I mention an announcement in my title? I sure did... I am SO exciting about this. To thank you all for coming to my blog, I will have host my very first GIVEAWAY whilst we are on holiday. I set myself a threshold of people visiting my blog and I passed it - and that is really rewarding!

So Friday this week, all will be unveiled. I think you will like it - it is not just for knitters, or for patchwork... more a home thank you giveaway... It will be open for a bit more than a week - so plenty of time if people missed out. All you need to do is follow me!

Put your hands up those of you who thought I was pregnant?