Time for a Giveaway!

 >>>Thanks everyone - the Giveaway in now CLOSED<<<

Morning folks! As promised last Friday, I think it's time we had a giveaway here. I'm really touched that I've made it to over 100 followers on Google Friend Connect so to say thank you (and sorry for disappearing for about a month!).

Here's what's up for grabs. Apologies for the poor photos...it's that time of year when I live in almost total darkness (or so it seems! Although, thanks to Alana for recommending this daylight bulb, it's definitely helping!). The winner will get to choose ANY TWO of the following patterns:

Maudella 5340, bust 34"

Practical 6980, Waist 29"

Butterick 4501, Bust 39"
Woman's Weekly B520, Bust 36/38"

McCall's 3549, Bust 32.5"

New Look 6348, Size 6-16

And I'll throw in these goodies too!

Fancy getting your hands on this lot? If so, all you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment letting me know which two patterns you would pick and what's on your sewing table at the mo. International folks more than welcome to join in - the more the merrier!

Giveaway closes at 5pm GMT on Friday 9th December and I'll announce the winner the following week. Make sure your comment has some way for me to get in touch with you!

Tuesday’s Tutorial Treat–Christmas Edition 1

Well it’s back! Did you miss your weekly instalment of Tuesday’s Tutorial Treat. Yes yes, I know you did!

For the next 4 weeks I thought I’d focus on tutorials that celebrate this festive time of year. Today is all about handmade presents – there’s still time to whip one up. Perhaps these might provide some inspiration for that person who you just can’t find the right thing for!

Starting with quite an epic one, this is a tutorial from Chez Beeper Bebe for the most adorable sewing box. I just love it! The tutorial even includes details on how to make the very cute lady pin cushion (although I do feel sorry for her having pins stuck in her forehead!) and a needle book. Link HERE.

Next week have the cutest little zip pouch from Keyka Lou. I get all my bag patterns for Keyka Lou as I love her designs and her instructions are excellent. This is the gorgeous Dumpling Zip Pouch which she very generously offered up for free on her blog. It would make the perfect present for a little girl, filled with cute pink sparkly make-up! Link HERE.

Here we have the sweetest little iPhone pouch from During Quiet Time. I think I should make one of these as a present to myself as I have an iPhone, but no cover…and it’s starting to look a little worse for wear! Link HERE.

And finally, something for Dad! I find my Dad the hardest person to buy for at Christmas and Birthdays. He just doesn't need anything. But sometimes presents aren’t about need, but more about a wee treat! How about making the man in your life a rather stylish tie – this tutorial from The Purl Bee should be just the ticket. Link HERE.

Please don’t go…I’m still here!

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! My poor little blog has been terribly neglected for over 6 weeks. I’ve actually been quite busy with the sewing machine (although it has been acting up a lot…I have now become very familiar with the little screw on the bobbin holder) but my problem has been with the light. I know this has been an issue with a lot of Northern Hemisphere bloggers at the moment…trying to find an opportunity to get some decent pictures of our projects during daylight hours. Now that I am going to work in the dark, and coming home in the dark (and suffering from SAD….thinking about getting a lamp…anyone got one and have any recommendations?) the only chance is at the weekends, and unfortunately I just haven’t had any opportunities (my boyfriend thinks weekends should be spent with HIM, not in the sewing room – the cheek of him! Tasia’s post this week made me think of that!).

If you have been following me on Twitter (@Su_Sews_So_So) then you may have noticed a few Instagram pics that I posted. With no other decent project photos, and the blog being non-existent lately, I thought I’d share them on here too:

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been beavering away on making bags to sell. These are my latest pieces, but I really want to get a decent amount made up before I launch my shop and do a full reveal – do for now, this is just a sneak peak!

I posted this last night as they were hot off the sewing machine. I’ve made a couple of mini handbags for my two nieces for Christmas and I’m so pleased with how they turned out! I’ll see if I can get a proper ‘photo shoot’ of them this weekend and share them with you all next week – and then I have to get them wrapped and in the post asap as one will be winging it’s way to Australia.

And I have also made a Sorbetto top, out of beautiful buttery voile…but I’m not overly joyed with it so I haven’t been very excited about sharing it on here! My boyfriend and my mum both say it’s lovely, but I personally think that it doesn’t really suit me. Ah well, I guess I will share it on here and see what you guys all think.

Finally, I am STILL (yes, still!) working on my purple Jenny skirt that I mentioned on this post. I’m currently fighting with the invisible zip. It’s in, and it looks OK…but it’s not really ‘invisible’ at the moment, so I’m trying to sew it a bit closer…but it involves a lot of cursing and screaming so I’ve been putting it off a little! Now that I’ve got the Christmas pressie bags done I have no excuse I can focus on the skirt.

And even though I have been rather quiet on the blog, I’m delighted that over 100 of you decided you liked the place enough to click ‘follow’ on Google Connect! Thanks so much guys. Sorry I’ve let you down recently…how can I make it up to you? Oh I know…how about a giveaway??!!! That sounds like a plan, a wee Christmas treat for one of you – I’ll post details soon!