I have been planning on having a giveaway for ages but at last I have sat down and gathered a pile of items for the prize.( I will also add a few other crafty goodies in the package and try to tailor them to the winner’s interests/crafts.) At the moment there’s a print, letterpress card, pins/badges, silver necklace charm and other items looking for a good home. There’s no particular reason for the giveaway but at a push we’ll say 1) today marks 100 days till the wedding. Yup, tomorrow I hit double figures!! and 2) it’s the season of goodwill.

That said, I don’t want to stand in a Post Office queue over the festive season and everybody needs a pick me up after Christmas so I’m leaving this one open till Midnight GMT on January 4th.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this entry telling me what the best gift you ever got was. Those who post about this giveaway on their own blog will get an extra entry (just leave a comment to let me know).

Good luck (Note you must register to leave a comment – see here)

Posted: December 11th, 2008 under Competitions, Freebies.
Comments: 12

There’s nothing like an overload of choices to help you work out your priorities. Take my Google Reader for example… It’d be fine if I had a spare evening to curl up on the couch and trawl through the mounting hundreds of posts in there but the chances of an evening like that in the near future are slim to none. My reader has been packed full since my recent (I say recent but it feels like a million years ago now) break down in London. So, since then, any time I’ve had a spare moment to read through blogs I’ve concentrated only on my favourites. You know what I mean. The ones that without fail say something that makes you smile, tells you about something you must check out or just posts an image that sparks an idea.  This filter has certainly helped me identify what are my favourite blogs and I thought I’d share some of them with you over the coming weeks (what with the lack of COTW posts these days!).

So, step up to the plate, Edward & Lilly! I have no idea what/who the Edward & Lilly in the blog name refer to but this great little blog from Brisbane, Australia, never fails to cheer me up. I’m fascinated by Australia (and used to be heavily into the music scene over there) so love seeing what the crafting world has to offer from that side of the world. The great little projects on the site aren’t overly fussy and complicated but are instead executed with such an eye for detail and colour you can’t help but want them for yourself.  (I’ve never been that into softies but Edward & Lilly’s bears and cats are absolutely adorable). However, it’s her latest project that has really grabbed my attention. The grogeous bird decorations are not only perfect for the festive season but, thanks to the floral embroidery, could brighten any room all year round (perfect for any of you too lazy to take down your Christmas decorations!). What’s even more exciting is that Edward & Lilly are offering blog readers the chance to win one in a giveaway to mark the 150th post on the blog.

Posted: December 1st, 2008 under Competitions, Crafter of the Week, Inspiration.
Comments: none

My frugalness has been the butt of many jokes in the past but thanks to the current credit crisis and using my craftiness to repurpose things I think I’m slowly but surely proving it’s no bad habit.

My projects are small fry compared with those of other more experienced crafters but I’m still tempted to send a couple over as suggestions for the Call for Entry for inclusion in 1000 ideas for Creative Reuse over at Extreme Craft.

ExtremeCraft just inked a contract with Quarry Publishing to write the next book in their “1000″ series.  They’ll be writing 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, a book filled with 1000 (you read right) examples of craft, art and design made out of repurposed, reused and recycled materials.  The book will be bristling with amazing contributions from artists and crafters around the world.  What do you make out of reused stuff?  They want to hear about it!  Here are some of the categories they’re looking for:

• Paper Craft– Consigning paper to the recycling bin is a shame. Do you make interesting things out of paper?
• Art– Does your art involve clever reuse of materials in installation, sculpture, collage, painting or other media?
• Jewelry and accessories– Their definition here is very broad—they’re looking for all kinds of personal adornment, handbags, belts, hats, etc.
• Clothing– They’re seeking all kinds of clothing mash-ups, stitch-ups, and makeovers.
• Fiber and fabric- How about renovated soft goods made from recycled or vintage linens, quilts, fabrics, fibers, sweaters, yarns, rugs?
• Housewares and furnishings– They’re looking for repurposed furniture, ceramics, serving dishes, utensils and miscellaneous home goods.
• Houses, interiors, and environments– Is your living space made of reused materials? Have you made a visionary environment out of recycled materials?
• GeekCraft and ManCraft– Do you make repurposed items with geek appeal? What about traditionally “manly” items such such as grills, antler furniture and armchair go-karts?
• UnClassifiable– They are encouraging the submission of work that doesn’t fit into any of the above boxes.

The Call for Entries is hot off the presses.  Download it today for image guidelines and more information.  The deadline on this puppy is January 5, 2009, but early submissions are HIGHLY encouraged.  They’ll be adding more information to this page as it becomes available.  In the meantime, feel free to email them with your questions!  All of the information is in the call for entries.

Posted: October 13th, 2008 under Books, Competitions.
Comments: none

So, I’m afraid yesterday was my first official miss since signing up for Blogtoberfest. The really annoying thing is I was convinced I actually had posted but I must of got caught up in something and forgot to come back and post. Bah!

Things are pretty manic around here just now but the most exciting event (sad but true) is tomorrow’s trip to get storage units and a second desk for our pottering/craft room. I think I may be placing a little too much faith in inanimate objects abilities to streamline my life but, hey, it may just work.

 The other good thing is that the necessary clearout to get the room in working order means I’ll be having a wee giveaway on the site next week so stay tuned for that.

Posted: October 11th, 2008 under Competitions, Life stuff.
Comments: none

Makers in Scotland are invited to participate by creating small works for the Wych Elm Project which will culminate in a major new exhibition in summer 2009.

In 2003 a large Wych elm at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh had to be felled when it became a danger to the public.  This was one of Scotland’s largest and best loved trees and it was decided to use this sad occasion to develop a project to celebrate the unique value of the elm tree and the timber it provides and highlight the plight of our native elms.

Elms are rapidly disappearing from streets and parks due to Dutch elm disease.  The wych elm, also known as Scotch elm, is particularly valuable as it is the only elm native to Britain and one of only 20 trees native to Scotland.
The wood is richly coloured with striking grain pattern. Unfortunately with the rapid demise of the elm it is a timber that will not be available for much longer.

The Wych Elm Project follows on from two very successful exhibitions seen at the gardens. In 1993 Tim Stead used all of an ash tree from the Botanic Garden to make a huge range of sculpture and furniture. In 2001 the onetree exhibition brought a collection of art, sculpture and furniture made from a single English oak. The third in the trilogy is using a much loved elm tree that sadly had to be felled.

There is a group of furniture makers working on special commissions for the project, however, there are still small pieces of wood available.  This wood is around one foot square and less than 2 inches deep, and they would like to hear from makers who have ideas for work from the materials.  This could include jewellery or other small piece, as the wood can be divided amongst makers.   It is also important that there a specific purpose or reason for the work that is made. 

Find out more and get involved at www.wychelmproject.org/index.php  The deadline for registering interest is 31 October 2008

Posted: October 4th, 2008 under Competitions.
Comments: none

…you’re sure to find some beautiful viewfinder photography from the multi-talented Betty Ninja.

Not content on making me green with envy at her awesome quilting skills, she’s now opened Lost In The Woods, a new Etsy store featuring her viewfinder shots  (her fairy houses series will also be up there shortly too!).

In celebration of the store opening she’s got a little giveaway on her blog. Go clicky!

Posted: October 3rd, 2008 under Competitions, Photography.
Comments: none

There’s nothing like a child’s creativity to give you that warm feeling of ‘wow, they’re so imaginative’. As a kid I loved entering competitions and remember one particular evening being completely incredulous that I wasn’t the winner of a Blue Peter competition to design a save the polar bear t-shirt and equally stunned at not winning one on The Clothes Show too. Ahhhh, the arrogance of youth eh?

Well, it’s in your power to make some little artists day by voting for them at the Doodle 4 Google page. They’re actually pretty damn good.

Posted: September 24th, 2008 under Art/Illustration, Competitions.
Comments: none

Yesterday’s birthday actually turned into a bit of a pity party (long story) but today’s a new day etc etc so I’ll console myself with a bit of sneaky online retail therapy and tonight will sit down and keep an ill Him Indoors company while entering this great little colouring competition (thanks for the tip-off Sarah!).

How did the 30/30 list go? Well….. not that great, BUT I have extended the deadline to the end of the year. I figure if you factor in the engagement/resulting wedding stress I deserve an extra few months

I almost achieved 2 of my crafty goals before the big day but their both currently floundering at the almost complete stage. I’ll post more details on them tonight but should definitely have them done by the weekend. Yay!

Posted: September 23rd, 2008 under Competitions, Life stuff, My Projects.
Comments: none

The Martha Blog is running a contest for a chance to have your blog featured on the Martha Blog. All you need to do is leave a comment and place a link on your site. There doesn’t appear to be a deadline but I recommend adding your comment today. For more information, click here.

Posted: September 19th, 2008 under Competitions.
Comments: none

Photobox have teamed up with Shoot Experience and Intrepid Travel to offer an exciting photography competition, with the chance to win a 15-day trip of a lifetime to Morocco for two, worth £2000!

Following the feel of the fantastic prize, they’ve chosen the ‘Spirit of Adventure’ for their competition theme. Simply send them photos of an adventurous holiday, adventurous artwork or photographic technique, or even your own spoof adventure movie shot. Or perhaps you’ve simply snapped someone known for their spirit of adventure.

To enter the competition all you have to do is submit up to three of your most adventurous photos. It’s all about inspiring ideas, not technical know how, so anyone and everyone can have a go.

Deadline: 30th September

Posted: September 17th, 2008 under Competitions.
Comments: none