And the winner is.

Comment number 5! Katy Cameron congratulations on winning this beautiful slip. I will have the pattern in the post to you this week.

Sam xox

Thrifty finds and a giveaway reminder.

This week during my lunch breaks I have been exploring the local op shops. It has been a nice surprise to find that these op shops are a lot cheaper than the ones in Sydney. You can find many more sheets and pillow cases which have the potential to be upcycled (I have already began planning my Christmas craft projects).

Here are my goodies from this weeks visits...

~ A set of cream and mustard striped pillow cases for our spare bed ~

$1 for the pair.

~ An extra large mens grey hand-knitted jumper. Too big for Jamie.

Am considering making some cushion covers from it. ~

$1.

~ Gorgeous pink petticoat ~

50c.

~ Pair of vintage champagne glasses ~

$2 for the pair.

Have any of you ever cut up a knitted jumper and made cushions from it? What is the best way to do it to ensure the wool doesn't unravel?

Don't forget the giveaway ends soon!

Sam xox

Vintage pattern giveaway.

~ Simplicity 2154 ladies slip dress ~

I recently purchased a few vintage patterns on ebay (more on that later). One of the sellers was selling two of these vintage slip patterns in the one auction. The item description did not say whether the pattern had all the pieces, so I took the chance and bid hoping that with the two combined I would end up with a complete pattern.

Arriving home after work yesterday I found the package waiting for me on the door step. After tea I opened all the patterns to check all the pieces were there, and found that both the slip patterns were complete! I know that I have no need for two of the same pattern, so I am giving one away to a lucky reader!

The photo above shows an example of what the pattern looks like because I haven't yet found the cord to connect my scanner up yet. I have modified the pattern sizes to the correct size in the picture to prevent confusion (36B 39W). The pattern envelop is pretty tatty, or you could say well loved, but the instruction sheet and pattern pieces are in perfect condition.

I think this sized pattern is a good giveaway choice, because it could be easily scaled up or down depending on your size. Due to my 'pear shape' the bust is a little large for me, but it will fit my hips. This pattern would be perfect for underwear or even a summer dress.

Anyone anywhere can enter this giveaway simply by leaving a comment on this blog post.

The winner will be drawn at 8pm 4th September 2011 Sydney time.

Good luck!

Sam xox

And the winner is.

Thanks to everyone who entered my 100th follower giveaway. I was really happy to hear so many of you wanted to enter, and that the pattern would surely be going to a loving home.

Drum roll please - random.org generated the number 8, which means Kate you're the winner!

This little beauty is now yours :-)

We had a very wet day in Sydney today, perfect for sewing. I made Jamie some pajama shorts (I am trying to convince him to let me take a photo of them on him... haven't had much luck yet) and I made myself some bloomers using Colette Patterns free download. When I have better light I will post some photos.

Sam xox

Sam xox

Tea time.

Yesterday I had a bunch of girlfriends come over for a craft day. Each of them brought along the project they were working on. I laid the table with my favourite china pieces and a vintage embroidered cloth.

It was a lovely afternoon.

Don't forget my giveaway closes today at 8pm Sydney time (+11GMT).

Sam xox

1960's pattern giveaway.

To celebrate reaching 100 followers I want to do a little give away. I have not yet gotten around to sewing this pattern yet, and with the current to-do list I have set for myself, it seems this beautiful pattern won't be sewn anytime soon! Such a shame for it to be sitting on my shelf unloved... I want to give it a new home!

Here is a little bit about the pattern:

"Great 60s half size suit pattern! Vintage early 60s, Simplicity 5126, size 12 1/2, suit, scraf and blouse pattern.

Bust 33"
Waist 27"
Hip 37"

Misses' Suit, Scraf and Blouse in Half-Sizes: Blouse with high round neckline, short set-in sleeves, has center back button closing, is dart fitted. Slim skirt dart fitted at waistline has left side zipper closing and pleat at bottom of center back seam. Collarless jacket has rounded neckline and lower edges, set-in below elbow length sleeves, shoulder darts, patch pockets. V. 1 has contrasting braid trim. V. 2 has self fabric scraf, top-stitched trim. Jacket is lined.

Pattern is complete and in good, UNCUT, factory fold, condition. Envelope is in good vintage condition, does have a little yellowing inside and small stain at lower front."

The details:

* This giveaway is open to anyone, simply leave one comment in this post.

* If you're a follower of my blog and listed in the 'google friend connect' to the right of my page, then you're entitled to two entries (so make two please).

* Please include either a contact email address or link to your blog so I can find you if you win.

* I'm happy to post this pattern anywhere in the world.

* Giveaway closes on Sunday 27th March at 8pm Sydney, Australia time (GMT +11).

* Winner will be drawn by online random number generator on www.random.org.

Good luck!

Sam xox

I won.

Sorry I have been a bit quiet round the blog lately. Work has been really busy, I have had suicide intervention training and hearing voices training - both fantastic training for the work I do, but I have to admit such intense topics leave me feeling quilt emotionally drained at the end of the day so I have been coming home and crashing on the couch, so I have not done any sewing over the past week.

* * * * * * *

At the end of last month I won my first ever Giveaway! Angela over at Country Scrap Quilts made a beautiful quilt from a fabric range with 70's inspired prints. Angela asked us all to have a guess at what the range was called... but no one was able to name it (it was called Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt).

I was the lucky one drawn as the winner, and her scraps from the quilt arrived in the post today.

I am really surprised at how large the fabric pieces are, this was a really generous give away Angela, thanks so much. I think if I combined my bundle with a nice calico, I would have enough fabric to make a lap quilt... or baby quilt... or wall hanging... oh I can't decide!

Leave it with me.

Sam xox

And the winner is.

And the winner is...

Comment 6 - Bianca congratulations!

Have a look at my Etsy store Buckingham Road and pick an 8X12 photograph that you like, and I will send it to you!

Thanks everyone who entered, I might do this again sometime - it was fun!

Sam xox

I've fallen on my feet.

Tonight marks the end of the second week in my new job. I absolutely love it. I have learnt so much during these last two weeks. I am working as a Support Worker in a community outreach role. We basically provide a service to help those living with a mental illness live in their homes independently. Most of my day is spent in the community, travelling to different people and supporting them to live independently. Every one of the people each teach me something every day, which I think is pretty amazing! It is a very special job.

The bonus, I am part of an awesome team that treat every person and challenge with respect and dignity - and seriously have a passion for their work! What more could I want?

Sam xox

100th blog post & giveaway.

This is my 100th post!

It will be short and sweet.

To celebrate I am holding a giveaway!

(I have seen others do this and it seems like fun!)

* * * * * * *

How does it work? Simply leave me a comment in this post, and on Sunday 8th August at 9am Sydney time, I will draw a winner using an online random number generator. I will then announce the winner on this blog and also contact them on theirs.

The winner can then choose a 8x12 inch photograph from my Etsy store Buckingham Road and I will package it up and send it to them for free!

{Click here to visit Buckingham Road}

Thanks so much to each and everyone of you who I have connected with through this blog. I am so grateful to have this space to share my ideas, obsessions, successes, and milestones, but most importantly to be able to connect with people from across the globe who encourage and inspire me every day!

Sam xox