$50 of Stars! (Birthday Giveaway #4)

This giveaway is not so random, because you probably know by now that my parents make these stained glass stars, and you probably know by now that I loved them and would like a whole rainbow of them in my windows. They've really got something for everyone, and if you can't find a single thing (highly doubtful), they'll make you something custom.

They can satisfy your craving for teeny tiny stars, 

your very own hive of bees,

stars named after me! ;)

and stars and stripes.

And, did you know that you can also get your favorite color baker's twine, too? Or one of each! ;)  They're offering a $50 gift certificate to anything in their shop!  

• Leave a comment to be entered.  What would you get?
• Please leave your email address in your comment, in the form of nobigdilblog {at} gmail {dot} com if you're more comfortable with that.
• Winners will be announced Monday, August 3rd.
• Get your husband to enter for you, too ;) Good Luck!

McCartney Jacket Giveaway!!

We interrupt Once Upon a Thread with a little bookmark pause.  Because even the best of books need a break to pop some popcorn and grab some apple cider.  

Q: What's better than wearing a pleather jacket?  

A: MAKING a pleather jacket! Such a thrill to complete something that looks so professional!

Have you heard of Pattern Anthology?  It's a bundle of patterns that mix and match with one another for several great looks.  I chose to make the McCartney jacket, because I always love the challenge of a welt pocket. ;)

It came together SO nicely.  And honestly, if you've never made a welt pocket, don't let this scare you off.  You will finish that pocket and stick your hand in over and over because, well, YOU made it.  The pattern gives you the option of contrasting detail around the sleeves.  I chose to stay with the same pallet (black, of course) but add some texture with the tiny pleat fabric.

I didn't have any decent lining, so I ran to the store and I'm always disappointed with the "lining" selection.  Always!  I remember making my first coat as a Freshman in high school and asking my mom if I had to use lining.  I think everyone likes a surprise lining, anyway.  I wandered over to the silky-like section and found this fun bird print (Joanns).  

It is just the perfect type of surprise inside. A little pleather sewing tip: Put some painters tape on the bottom of you sewing machine foot and when you have a pleather seam on the bottom, just place some tracing paper under it and you won't have any sticky situations where the pleather won't get through the foot and feed dogs.  I tried putting tape over my seams and topstitching and ended up with a terrible mess of getting out from under the stitching.  (I employed Ryan ;)

When I finished the jacket and walked into the kitchen, Azure asked where I got my jacket.  (They're always so good to notice.)  I told her I made it and she promptly asked if I would maker her one.  Divine, Pearl, and Olive asked me the very same thing.  I'm sure Clover would have, too except she was in the bathroom brushing her hair.

I'll tell you I was a bit nervous to write "no big dill" on a fabric so unforgiving if I happened to make a typo.  Whew.  Luckily I didn't.

So, where can you find YOUR 8 Days a Week patterns?   They are available for a limited time at a 40%+ discount now through October 6th. Get more details HERE.

Sew Caroline / Max California / Girl. Inspired / Old House Mama Sonicka Made / Andrea's Notebook / Pattern Revolution / No Big Dill

One more thing.  The winner of the tiny Jamberry Nails heater is Heidi Sullivan!  Congrats, Heidi.  And just to make things even more fun, anyone who takes advantage of the buy 3, get one free over at Jamberry (checking out under nobigdillkaty) will be entered to win my McCartney jacket!!  That's right, a No Big Dill original. It's a size small, but very generous. How many jackets does a girl need living in this balmy climate?!  So go find some fun nails for yourself. I like to take a long time getting my credit card out just to show off my nails.  Okay, not really, because it's really annoying when you're the person in a hurry behind the slow-poke. ;)  But the compliments will come rolling in regardless of your method of payment at the grocery store. 

Clever Charlotte Giveaway and Discount

Remember when I made these pieces a few months ago?  They are the darling designs from the pattern company Clever Charlotte.

I'm pleased to have them on as a new sponsor this month! If you are looking for unique designs for children's patterns, you will love poking around in their shop.  Not only do they have patterns, but they also carry several fabrics that coordinate well with their designs.

They also recently released their new line full of great pieces for cooler weather:

Today Clever Charlotte is offering 2 patterns to no big dill readers AND a coupon code for 20% off anything in their shop, including fabric and kits, for one week!  Use coupon code "nobigdill", good through December 10th 11:59 pm EST.


Go here to enter giveaway.

OUT: Muster of YOU! (plus a giveaway)

So many of you have been playing right along with Once Upon a Thread and have done such fun projects.  Here are just a few from the Flickr group:

Sweet Cheeks Design had fun with the princess and the pea!

Liza Jane made this colorful jacket based on the book "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More," actually painting the fabric!  (The book looks like a very fun one, too.)

A Piggy Baby did some cute onesies inspired by "A Color of His Own"

Feather's Flights made this cute applique and somehow managed to capture this shot of her cutie cute mimicking the bird from "Are You My Mother?"  Love it.

And we all recognize these characters from Richard Scarry.  Good job girls from Crafting Makes the Heart Grow Fonder!

Darling bunny from "Fluffy" and I'm loving the cover to the book as well!

A peasant dress from Bremen Town Musicians, great applique work!

Story dolls-I can pick out Pippi Longstocking, can you tell who the rest are?

Colorful Skirt and Shirt inspired by Suki's Kimono written by Chieri Uegaki--makes me want to check out the book!

"Little Blue and Little Yellow" land on a hoodie!  

"The Little House," of course!  You'll want to click to see Jane's great roof detail.

Another one you'll want to click on to see the interior details from "Will You Be My Mommy." 

Another Pigeon Project!  Look at the tie.  Love that detail!  Good job, Jen.

Richard Scarry's characters in a quilt to keep you warm!  Darling, and fantastic embroidery.

and a matching "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" quilt!

"Emily's Balloon" recreated by stamping random red stars on the fabric.  Brilliant!

And I've been waiting for this one to appear!  "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See."  I know my little Cloves would love this as she "reads" it.

Look what those lovely gals at Clever Charlotte came up with using their patterns, as well as the Knuffle Bunny look alike!

I hadn't heard of this book before OUT, but think I need to check it out, because I certainly have 7 silly eaters of my own!

You really just need to check out the Flickr group to see them all, such great projects, everyone!  I wish we could just all meet up and have a night of sewing and sharing our inspiration and eat avocado ice cream with almond cookies.  I think I'll put it on my wish list to Santa.

Now, for one more giveaway to send you off from another round of Once Upon a Thread, I have 3 patterns returning from last OUT, Follow the White Bunny!

This would be a great holiday project to take with you when you travel, you know, just in case you have the itch to sew in the midst of the fruit cake and mistletoe.

Okay.  So: 

➊ Leave a comment to enter to win one of 3 patterns!

➋ Please include your email address if it's not linked to your profile.

➌ Open JUST TODAY!! (so hop on it. ;) Closed!

Thank you one and all for another great round of Once Upon a Thread!  

It was delightful as usual!

ThanksGiveaway: Where's Waldo Star

To those in the United States celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope you have been kicked out of the kitchen so you can put your feet up while everyone else does dishes.  This is the last ThanksGiveaway of the day.  So many beautiful things, right?

I asked my parents if they would come up with a star for my Once Upon a Thread series this time around.  They said yes, and with those two, you never know what amazing creations are going to arise.  They did not disappoint!

The one and only, WHERE'S WALDO STAR!  Doesn't it just make you smile?

Now you will never have to wonder where he is again with this hanging in a window.

Sometimes I wonder if my parents have too much fun.

➊ Leave a comment: What's your favorite children's book?

➋ Please include your email address, if it's not linked to your profile, even if it's in the form of: nobigdillblog  at  gmail  dot  com, if you're worried about spam.  Please, oh, please.

➌ You have until Sunday 11:59 pm EST to get your comment in.

If you're looking for some fresh, simple Christmas decor, check out their shop.  Each year we choose a color scheme, my favorite being orange.  This year we're going more traditional and doing red.  All red.  We have big plans for these stars...I'll show you soon.

PS Tomorrow is the final guest!  Monday I'll announce winners and have a muster of YOUR projects, so don't forget to add them to the OUT flickr group.

ThanksGiveaway: Fat Quarter Shop

What would Once Upon a Thread be without a fabric Giveaway?

 Want to win a $50 gift certificate for any fabric, orange or otherwise?  Go here to enter.

ThanksGiveaway: PetitPlat Miniature Cupcakes

My kids love the "If You Give..." books.  We have several, including the one Delia featured, and they have us read them over and over, especially Azure and Clover.  It must be something about getting absolutely everything you ask for that they love ;)  

I flipped when I saw the cutest miniature versions of all sorts of sweets, starting with these cupcake pendants and thought of If You Give a Cat a Cupcake.  Hmmm.  There are five, just exactly how many girls I have.  These just might have to be the cutest ever stocking stuffers!

 If cupcakes aren't your thing, Stephanie makes a plethora of sweet treats like these donut earrings,

 or these scrumptious fruit tarts.  Look at that detail!

Today Stephanie is offering one from this set of cupcakes for a very lucky no big dill reader!

➊ Leave a comment: What does your sweet tooth crave the most?  (And do you have a recipe to share? ;) 

➋ Please include your email address, if it's not linked to your profile, even if it's in the form of: nobigdillblog  at  gmail  dot  com, if you're worried about spam.  Please, oh, please.

➌ You have until Sunday 11:59 pm EST to get your comment in.

Take a peak at Stephanie's little bakery, PetitPlat, yet another great option for stocking stuffers, and anyone in your life who loves miniature.  And the best part?  No calorie, no guilt pleasure!

ThanksGiveaway: Novel Creations Book Purse

I was excited when I found these book purses from Novel Creations (such a clever name, too!)  Wouldn't you love to be out and about with one of these on your arm?

 Karen creates these and has a variety of novels, depending on what kind of reader you happen to be.

 A little Jane Eyre?

 Sweet, beloved Anne?

 What woman hasn't read this.

Or how about The Chronicles of Narnia--I'm loving the ice handle!

Today Karen is giving away this charming edition of Alice in Wonderland!  A statement accessory indeed!

➊ What's your favorite classic book?

➋ Please include your email address, if it's not linked to your profile, even if it's in the form of email  at  gmail  dot  com, if you're worried about spam.  Please, oh, please.

➌ You have until Sunday 11:59 pm EST to get your comment in.

➍ Eligible to US residents only, please.