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Sunday 1 January 2012

My First Blog-i-versary, and My First GIVEAWAY!!!


Comments are now closed guys - the winners of the Giveaway will be announced tomorrow at 12pm UK time. My thanks to everyone who entered!


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Wow... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 2011 you came and went so fast, it seems only yesterday that I pressed a nervous finger on the 'PUBLISH POST' button to my first ever blog offering.

To celebrate the passing of the old year, and the coming of the new one I'd like to give back to the sewing community and to the lovely people who drop-by to read my 'ickle blog and all my inherent musings, and mind-wanderings that that entails ;)!

The wonderful Gwen of gwynhug.com is generously donating 1x set of her fabulous 'The Original "How much Fabric?" cards' to 2 of my readers (P.S. Gwen also blogs at: After The Dress do have a peek!).



If you're a sewist and you've not heard of these nifty little credit-sized cards... then where have you been hiding ;)? They are the perfect handy tool to pop into your handbag (or purse) - great for those moments when you're out and about in the shops and are unexpectedly in the presence of your perfect fabric! We've all been there - you see the fabric of your dreams that is so, so perfect for "that project"... but do you have the pattern envelope or details on you? Nope, so now with these super little cards by your side, you'll always have immediately to hand how much fabric you need for your next garment pattern.

Gwen and her friends created the cards by compiling data from over 3,000 patterns to build the tables, including patterns from Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, Vogue, Burda, Neue Mode, Kwik Sew, Hot Patterns, & New Look.

The reference cards help you estimate the amount of fabric you need as accurately as possible, by providing tables that summarise actual fabric requirements from real patterns, broken down by outfit size and fabric width.

For instance in the 'Women's Clothes' set: there are tables showing the minimum, average and maximum fabric requirements for Skirts, Pants (Trousers), Tops, Dresses, and Jackets. But not say for example just 1 type of dress - but for different styles,  short, mid-length, maxi etc. - there are even little drawings to help you figure out where your chosen style of 'dress' pattern lies in the tables - e.g. should you be looking at the minimum, average and maximum column in the table?

 

Gwen will kindly ship directly to each of the 2 lucky readers 1x set of their choice.
(Both UK and International readers are eligible to enter - yay!)

Set 1: Women’s Clothes (6-22/Eur 32-48)
Set 2: Plus Sizes (18-32/Eur 44-58)
Set 3: Men’s Clothes (34-50/Eur 44-60)
Set 4: Babies and Toddlers (Newborn - 6)
Set 5: Children's Clothes (7-16) 

Each set is available in 2 versions:
American - Fabric measured in inches (width) and yards (length) 
Metric - Fabric measured in cms (width) and meters (length)

Can you tell I love these cards? Yup, it's true! I already own a set myself - it's my own set of cards in the photos (LOL, you can tell their mine 'cos they're lovingly worn out a bit on the corners through much use ;) !). And, I'm not the only one who loves them too - read the testimonials here.

And just 'cos I love to share the sewin' love around, I will also myself be personally sending each of the 2 lucky giveaway winners this bundle of goodies each :)

1. A brand new copy of BurdaStyle Magazine.
   (1 person will get December 2011, the other will receive the January 2012 issue).
2. A cute sewing kit tin (I just love the design!) - needles, pins, tape measure, buttons, needle threader, safety pins, thimble, seam ripper, scissors and thread spools -  great for holidays away or to stash away more of your sewing notions perhaps?
3. A set of 4 Fine Line Coloured Pens - only 0.4mm thick lines, so perfect for tracing and marking your BurdaStyle patterns from the magazine in blue, read, purple and green.
4. 2 metres of Pattern Drafting Paper - 36"/91cm wide in dot and cross pattern. The paper will be posted folded to fit inside the packaging.




Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 
[ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 14th JANUARY 2011 AT 12.00PM UK TIME. ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL READERS. WINNERS NAMES WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE 2-WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 15th JANUARY 2011!]
 
1. You must be a follower of my blog please.
   (Please see 'Google Friend Connect' or 'Bloglovin' in the side bar on the right of this page).

2. Please leave a comment in this post below - please state:
    a) Which set of cards you'd like (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)
    b) If you'd like the cards to be in American (inches/yards), or Metric (cms/meters)
    c) Which issue of *BurdaStyle magazine you'd like: Dec 2011, or Jan 2012.

3. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

4. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share you're favourite sewing-moment of 2011, I'd love to know what special creation, fabric or new skill brightened up your year! Perhaps you're looking forward to sewing something special in 2012 - come on spill the beans!


*NB: In the event that both winners ask for the same issue of BurdaStyle then the first name drawn out of the proverbial hat will receive their preferred choice of the magazine.


Good luck! And may 2012 bring you much health and happiness!

And, if you can't wait to get your hands on a set of these cards - visit www.gwynhug.com to buy a set for yourself now !

38 comments:

  1. Happy New Year and Happy One Year Blog-i-versary! Thank you for these kind words about my cards! Here's wishing a wonderful 2012 to you and yours!
    All the best,
    Gwen

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  2. Happy Blogiversary!!! What a great day to start a blog :) Thanks for the generous giveaway...definitely count me in! I'd love card set 1 in metric and either the Dec or Jan burdastyles! YAY!

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  3. Happy Blogiversary Claire!!

    Would love to be inlcuded for card set n.1 and Dec Burda mag!!

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  4. Maybe 2012 will be the year I win stuff! I would like Set #1 American and the January issue. Happy anniversary!

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  5. Awesome giveaway, Claire, Happy Anniversary!
    If I won, I would love set #1 in metric and the January Burda :)
    (ps. I follow using bloglovin - hope that's okay!)

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  6. I'd love the set oF cards for womend's clothes in metric and the january 2012 bundle.
    Ghainskom at yahoo dot com

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  7. Happy New Year and Happy Blogaversary!
    I'd like set #1 in metric and I don't mind which magazine!

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  8. Happy Blogiversary. I've just started one, hopefully I'll be in your position this time next year if I get the hang of it!

    I'd go for set 1 metric, and no preference on the mag :)

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  9. I'd go for set 1 in metric and the Jan mag
    my best moment in 2011 was making a dress from 40 year old Thai silk!
    http://hereswhatididtoday.blogspot.com/search/label/simplicity%205961

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  10. Wow, those cards are awesome! I would love to win the first set of cards in metric please. I recently started sewing again in an effort to curb my online shopping and today I went trawling through sewing blogs - and discovered yours! :) I am now following you through Bloglovin.
    I can be reached at gmsale7071 at gmail dot com. I have not done much sewing this year but last week, I completed a skirt which I am happy about.http://craftonplanetmum.blogspot.com/2011/12/inspired-by-pinterest-line-wool-skirt.html I would like to bring my sewing up to a better level as it so rewarding!

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  11. Such an awesome giveaway! I follow you, through an add-on called "Brief" in my browser (firefox), will that work? I'm not picky about which prize, either would be great and much appreciated. :-) For the cards, I'd like set 1 in American. I think my favorite sewing-related moments of 2011 was every time I saw my husband wearing one of the shirts I've made him. Especially because he always gets compliments on how well they fit him. :-) Congrats on making it one year!

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  12. Oh my Claire, that is one awesome Give Away! Of course I follow you via the RSS thingy-whatsit. I'm sorry I'm not more technical!

    Now, down to the nitty-gritty side of things...
    Set 1 would be amazing please, in imperial yards and inches! (I may have been educated in metric, but I sew in imperial...)
    Either copy of Burda would be brilliant as I've never actually laid my paws on a copy of the magazine!

    2011 highlight for me was my Sencha and Beignet (Colette Pattern love going on!) and 2012 I hope to up the productivity and get a couple of project makes done; the first of which is the Minoru Jacket and the others are the Lady Grey and a dress for my BIL's wedding in September...

    I hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy 2012! I can't believe it's a new year already and that you're blogiversary has come round so soon!

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  13. Wow you have only been blogging for a year! That has flown by! It was lovely to meet you at Libertys this year, being around other sewing bloggers who are so passionate about it definitely helped me remember why i love to sew and i hope to put that into practice in 2012. If i'm lucky enough, i'd like set 1 metric and any mag!

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  14. Happy New Year! Thanks for offering this giveaway. If I were to win, I'd like the first set in inches. I don't have a preference for the magazine.

    By the end of the year, I'd like to tackle sewaholic's Minoru Jacket. We'll see!

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  15. 1. I follow via GFC! Many thanks to you and Gwen for offering such a lovely and generous giveaway.

    2. I would choose card set 1 in American inches/yards and either of the BurdaStyle magazines would make me giddy. :)

    As for a special sewing project, I am going to make a memory quilt out of denim shirts. They originally belonged to my mister's dad and were his work shirts. They are full of character (holes, paint splatters, etc) and will make a wonderful gift for a guy who loved his dad so very much.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Congratulations! 1 year is quite impressive in terms of blogging!

    I would be delighted with a set of #1 in metric and the January Burda, only because I already have December :)

    Thanks for hosting such an amazing giveaway!!!

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  17. Congratulations on your first year.
    I follow you via GFC.
    I'd love Metric version of set 1. As for Burdastyle, the January issue would be perfect...but I am equally happy with December.
    Thanks for this great giveaway

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  18. congrats!
    1.im a new follower :)
    2.
    a.-set 1 please!
    b. american-inches and yards :)
    c. it doesnt matter :) i guess jan 2012 sounds good!
    3. raineoc@yahoo.com
    4. in 2012 im looking forward to making a sun dress with a crocheted top and skirted bottom.. :) i have everything picked out i just have to sit down and start it!

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  19. Congratulations Claire and Happy Blogiversary!
    The cards, the cards - I've wanted some ever since you had them at Goldhawk Rd!
    Set 1 in metric please. Don't mind which magazine, I'm happy either way!
    I've got all sorts of projects planned once I've settled in NZ and unpacked the sewing machine (that'll be about March/April then!) I think the main thing will be to tackle the "T" dress!! You know the one!! :-)

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  20. Hi, I follow your blog with RSS feeds in Firefox. I would love set 1 in metric.
    I am just about to cut out Colette Jasmine - my first project for the year
    blklman at xtra dot co dot nz

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  21. Congratulations on your first blogiversary. This is such a fabulous giveaway.

    I've just followed you. I would love set 1 in metric and the January Burda.

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  22. wow that's incredibly generous of you! I didn't know these cards - so if I don't win one, I will certainly purchase a set.
    I would love to win set 1 in metric and as I already have january magazine, December would be perfect!
    2011 for me has been the renewing of my sewing life and I've learnt loads! I hope in 2012 I will still learn a lot, especially from bloggers like you, and make myself a Colette Truffle dress!

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  23. It is always great to celebrate anniversaries!! Happy anniversary!!

    I would love to win a card set #1 in American and the Burda Dec 2011 magazine.

    loldhamburnsatgmaildotcom if you need it.

    My favorite 2011 sewing moment have been all of them!! Finally sewing again after a 9 year absence. Loving every minute of it!!

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  24. Happy Anniversary. I would love to win card set one in metric and Burda Jan 2012.

    my email clare0311athotmaildotcodotuk.

    Haven't had may stitching moments this year - other than alterations for my sister and her family. But as she has just returned to live in the UK after 19 years in Australia - it has been fun to be Able to do it for her.

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  25. Happy Blogversiary!

    I have been following you for some time with gfc. Id love the cards in set one/metric and burdastyle Jan 2012 -or dec, Im not fussy, just love sewing reading :)

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  26. I'd love set 1 in Metric. And any of the Burda Style mags. :-)

    I'm working on Vogue 8548 and I think I've nailed the fit. I'll make it in outerwear fabric with thinsulate interlining and all. I can't wait to wear it!

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  27. Congrats on your blogiversary!
    Set 4 / American (inches) / dec 2011 issue, pls..

    No funny stories, yet, but my dressform (a birthday gift to me from me) just arrived so I see '12 being the of sewing!

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  28. Wow great giveaway! Just came across your blog, am now a follower :-) I would love to win the Women's cards in metric. Happy stitching, Sam xox

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  29. Happy New Year! and Happy Blogging!

    I would love to get set #3 in inches and prefer BurdaStyle Jan 2012.

    My favorite creation in 2011 has to be the Apron I made for my husband in time for the summer's BBQ!
    I took a digitized the chef's picture and Embroidered it on the pocket for an added flair.
    You can see a picture of it: http://www.artsandcraftsplaza.com/?p=229

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  30. Happy New Year and Happy Blogiversary

    Just found your blog via Zoe's Bright de-stash post and am following you via bloglovin

    Would love to be inlcuded for card set 1 in metric and Jan Burda mag!!

    Thanks and looking forward to more lovely posts! :)

    Sarah

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  31. Happy anniversary. I wish you many more years of blogging success1
    I am a follower who would like the first set in Metric. I would like either copy of the magazine and this year I want to learn how to knit!

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  32. What a giveaway!
    I would love the inches version of the women's clothes and the Burda Jan 2012!

    I think my favorite sewing adventure of 2011 was taking apart and properly fitting a silk dress I got at the thrift store!

    ~ Nicole M
    nikitoes [at] gmail [dot] com

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  33. Hello!
    I think I'm a follower? Something hinky happened when I clicked on Google connect so I'm not 100% sure.

    I would choose version #1--women's clothing--since that's what I sew the most in American measurements.

    I would also choose BurdaStyle January 2012.

    My favorite sewing adventure this past year was attempting to draft my own dress pattern for my boyfriend's sister's wedding reception. I managed to draft the pattern with some success (based on my toile) but my fabric, and old sari, wasn't up to being cut and sewn. And I ran out of time to baste it to it's lining. Oh well! Next time!

    Tina
    http://retrorabbithole.blogspot.com/

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. what a generous giveaway! my favorite sewing moment is my "ah hah" moment in knowing how to read knitting patterns! I would like to go for set#1, women version, and december burda magazine! thank you!
    petiterepublic.wordpress.com

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  36. 1. I am following via 'Google Friend Connect'

    2. a) Which set of cards you'd like: 1
    b) Metric (cms/meters)
    c) I don't mind which one! If I had to choose, then Dec 2011

    3. bubbykhaidurova[at]hotmail[dot]com.

    4. Favourite sewing-moment of 2011: The first time I sewed a dress - and it fit! This year, I hope to sew my first garment with sleeves :)

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  37. Hi'ya and congrats on your first blog-i-versary and giveaway, and a lovely blog it is and a lovely generous giveaway to boot. Thank you!

    1. I am a 'Google Friend Connect' follower person
    2. If I am lucky enough to win please may I have the #1 set of the cards in metric and the Jan 2012 BurdaStyle?
    3. I'm at calicostretch[at]gmail[dot]com.
    4. My favourite sewing moment was getting my new coverstitch machine finally purring after a very very useful lesson. This year I am determined to sew more for myself - that's months of sewing selfishness. Yep, that's what'll brighten up my sewing life. Scrooge Emily. Hah! Ain't that terrible ....

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  38. This comment entered on behalf of Javie (aka Janet) - who emailed me because in her words "I was trying to enter your giveaway but sadly, your comments section is not working for me. I'm not sure if there is a limit on comments, problem with blog traffic or a problem with blogger."


    I would enter the following comment if I could: "What a wonderful set! I would love set #1 for womens clothes in American units. I would also love the Burda Dec2011 issue. As for my favorite sewing moment, it was when I took a couture sewing class last year with Susan Khalje of Threads fame. As a result, I now have to debate if I want to do "couture" or not on all my future projects!"

    Hopefully I can still enter the giveaway? I can still keep checking to see if your blog takes more comments later but wanted to at least alert you to a problem.

    Also, I have been inspired by your blog and others so I just started my own blog at dashingmarmot.wordpress.com (or www.dashingmarmot.com). Hopefully, I'll stick with it for a least a year ;).

    Kind regards,
    Javie (aka Janet)

    P.S. I live near Chicago, Illinois in the USA. It's getting colder here!

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