And the winners are...

So, it's mid sunday here and I think it's a good time as any to end the giveaway given that noone has joined in in more than 12 hours.
If I had had 1000 or so like in some of the giveaways I entered (no wonder I didn't win any) of course I would have learned how to use the random generator thing, but, with only 31 people and lots and lots of time in my hands, what I did was write down all the names, cut into pieces and put them in a bowl.
(You have to believe me on this one because I didn't take pictures of this. Asking my husband for pen, paper, scissors and a bowl was borderline with his morning bad temper, let alone if I asked for him to bring me the camera, wait through the process and then connect the camera to the pc, that would be a stretch, and I've got to think that in an hour or two I need him in a good mood to bring me lunch. uff!!!)
Then I was thinking that because I had three prizes, how would I choose a winner for each? Three different drawings? Putting just the names of the people who asked for a specific item on that specific drawing and then have like a miscellanous bowl? I mean, I'm new at this and I had to figure out every detail. Ultimately I decided to draw three papers, period. If the people had showed preferences fine, if not fine too. If two people wanted the same item, the first name to be drawed would get it. I think when it comes to rules you have to keep it simple and fair.
Luckily, the three names had all said what they prefered to win, so everyone's happy!!! And without more talk talk talk, here are the winners:

For the sewing supplies: Quilt n Queen, who is a fan of "Grey's Anatomy", a show I've watched from episode 1 until episode I don't know what of the current season (and believe me, I've watched them more than once) and "Dirty Dancing", which along with "ET" is probably the film of my childhood (and teenager years and adulthood, every few months I watch it again and I have all the lines memorized by now). Congratulations, it's funny to find something in common with you and I'll email you asking for your address.

For the fabric: Jolanda, who was the first to participate (see, in my giveaway being the first is not bad) and recommended me "Notting Hill" and "Grey's Anatomy", which shows she has good taste because it's one of the movies I've watched more often and I've already said I'm a fan of the twisted sisters (specially Christina, love that character). Parabéns JOlanda, vou já mandar um email a pedir a morada!!!

And for the selvedges, which I thought would be up for grabs for anyone else since it didn't conquer that much entushiasm, faith would have it that one person who actually wanted it got it (really I thought it was an amazing coincidence): Racheldaisy, who mentioned "Mad Men", a series I've been interested in start seeing because so many people say it's great. And who doesn't enjoy 60's fashion??? hehehe Congratulations my fellow daisy, I'll be emailing you also.

This was so much fun and I wished I had more prizes to give. I think it was a good way to keep me busy, entertained and take my mind off the fact that I've still got 3 more months of bed rest until I give birth, so before Helena comes to this world I will definetely have another giveaway. It won't be anything handmade because I can't make much (or maybe I'll knit something) so keep visitng the blog and watch out for more sewing supplies/fabrics/etc. (who would have guesseed ric rac was such a success among you? the things we learn from giveaways...)

The giveaway is still open!

My giveaway will stay open for a little longer because I only post it near the end of it, besides I don't know exactly when the 17th ends for all of you in the US, so... better stay open longer than cutting it too short. And noone can call me a cheater either because i'm not even on the Sew Mama Sew list anyway so... I make my rules eheeh
I will announce a winner during the weekend, that's for sure. Thank you all so much for your suggestions, my list of tv series and movies is growing and I'm hoping I won't feel bored again until at least the end of 2010 heehhehe

Giveaway Day... and I almost missed it!

I can't believe this time of all times I almost missed Giveaway Day! Here I am, lying in this bed for so many weeks, complaining about how slow time passes by and how bored I am... and instead I could have been discovering new blogs and reading your funny comments!!! Well, better late than never. Here is my giveaway:

One lucky winner will win these sewing supplies: ric rac, 100% cotton thread and some zippers.



Another lucky winner will win these random fabrics. Some are fat quarters, other are just 20 cm or 30 cm pieces.



Another lucky winner will win a year's worth of selvedge.




I know, I know, it's not much but it's up for grabs and I will ship internationally (actually someone else will do it for me as I can't get up from this bed...). All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your favourite movie/tv series and why, because I really am bored and could use some tips on what to watch next. Please tell me which of the prizes you would prefer to win and make sure I have a way to contact you. I will choose the winner randomly, either finally learning how to work with Mr Thingy or doing it the old fashion pen and paper way.

Comment away!!!

A giveaway search engine

It has come to my attention that there is a website called the Giveaway Scout, which is like a search engine that you can subscribe if you want to be told about giveaways that are happening. Isn't it cool? And even though I don't have giveaways usually (I'm hoping to have another one soon) my blog has been added. I feel very... "professional" right now. ahahaha!!!

And the winner is...

I did this the old fashion way. First I gathered all the materials I was going to need.




After writing all the names down in a sheet of paper (counting more than one entry when applied), I cut them into equal pieces.




Then I mixed it in a bowl. I was specially careful not to let a piece of paper fall on the floor because my all-too-willing-to-eat-anything dog was on watch.



Then I asked my husband to take one piece of paper without looking. That part wasn't difficult because he was playing some videogame which required him to shoot some bad guys and he was too afraid to get killed so he didn't even take his eyes off the computer screen.

And the lucky winner was...



Kelly!!!

And her comment was:

"That is such a lovely book cover! And it would be very helpful to keep your books in nice condition while they are being read.
It is hard to pick favourite books, as I'm sure any avid reader would tell you, however I'll tell you three books I have read which I loved!
- A Painted House by John Grisham. Not his usual style at all, but an excellent story!
- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. If you have seen the movie and have therefore judged the book based on this, erase that judgement from your mind! The book is far superior, with a richer storyline and a different ending. This book made me think a lot and cry buckets.
- The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Since you live in Portugal I'll assume you haven't heard of the Australian author Bryce Courtenay. All of his books are great stories, but The Power of One was my favourite of all. You won't be disappointed!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!"

Congratulations, Kelly! You have won my first ever book cover! I really hope you like it. I'll be sending you an email asking for your address.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Your book suggestions were really interesting and I can't wait to put together a list and go shopping on Amazon. This giveaway was so much fun, I'm inclined to do this more often :) I hope those of you who are new around here and found my blog because of the giveaway will eventually enjoy what you can read here and visit me again.

The giveaway is now closed. I will announce the winner shortly!

This is contagious

There are always some giveaways going on, including mine :)
But I just had to tell you all about the one Teresa is having... It's about books, of course!!! And she has always been such a sweet blogger friend ever since we "met" some months ago, you have no idea!


You just have to head over here and choose which one you would like (except "I am Huterite", that one is not included).

Comentários / Comments

UPDATE: Everything appears to be back to normal!

Deve estar a ocorrer algum erro com os comentários, porque recebo por email comentários que depois não aparecem no blog. Quem participou no giveaway que não se preocupe porque pelo sim pelo não vou contabilizar os comentários que recebi (e respondi) através do email. All righty?

There must be an error of some sort regarding the comments, because I keep getting them in my email but they don't show up in the blog. Those of you who participated on my giveaway should not worry, because just in case I'll count the comments I received (and answered) via email. All righty?

Only one day left...

...to participate in my giveaway. I want to remind you that it will be closed on July 7th at 23:59 (Greenwich Time). Good luck!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Quem quer ganhar esta capa para proteger livros?

Conforme prometido, Junho não acaba sem o 1º giveaway deste blog. Decidi fazer esta capa porque assim posso juntar duas paixões: a costura e os livros. Adooooro ler. Mas não vos irrita ir no comboio ou estar numa esplanada e toda a gente saber que livro estão a ler? E não detestam quando os cantos da capa ficam estragados sempre que o livro anda na nossa mala de um lado para o outro? Pois... daí a capa para os proteger.

Só tenho uma para dar (mas quem não ganhar e quiser mesmo uma é só dizer porque terei todo o gosto em fazer) e as regras são:

- deixem um comentário neste post a dizer os vossos três livros preferidos, e já agora porquê. Escolher só um seria difícil, certo? Três é aquela conta certa. É que eu leio muito depressa e fico sem nada para ler num instante, portanto vou gostar de ter algumas sugestões para as minhas leituras de verão.

- quem já alguma vez deixou um comentário no meu blog tem automaticamente direito a mais uma entrada.

- não precisam de se tornar seguidores nem de divulgar o meu giveaway no vosso blog, blablabla, mas se quiserem fazer esse tipo de coisas ganham mais uma entrada, pronto.

- não sei trabalhar muito bem com aquela coisa do random generator e tenho medo de dar barraca, portanto vou recorrer ao velho método de escrever os nomes em papelinhos e depois tirar um ao calhas (não acredito que o giveaway tenha muitas participações portanto não me parece que dê assim tanto trabalho).

O giveaway termina no dia 7 de julho às 23:59 (Greenwich Time). Divulgarei o vencedor no dia 8. Boa sorte!!!

Espero que se divirtam tanto quanto eu!!!

Who wants to win this book cover?

As promised, June doesn't come to an end without seeing this blog's first giveaway. I decided to do this book cover because it's a marriage between two of my greatest loves: sewing and reading. I just looooove books. But don't you all hate it when you are on the train or sitting at a caffe and everyone gets to see what book you're reading? Or how the corners of the cover get damaged because you run around with a book on your handbag? Hence, the book cover.

I only have one to give away (but if you don't win and really want to have on too we can arrange that, I'll be happy to oblige) and the rules are:

- leave a comment on this post telling me your three favourite books, and why. Picking just one would be too difficult, right? Three is a good number. You see, I'm a really fast reader, so I'm left with nothing to read in a heartbeat and I could really use your suggestions because summer is coming.

- whoever has left a comment on my blog before, gets automatically another entry.

- you don't have to become a follower or post about my giveaway on your blog, blablabla, but if you want to do this, oh well, you get another entry.

- I'm not sure if I would be able to use the random generator thingy without screwing up, so I'll do things the old way: I'll write the names in small pieces of paper and then draw one (who am i kidding, there won't be many entries anyway, so it won't be a hard thing to do).

The giveaway will close on July 7th at 23:59 (Greenwich Time). I'll announce the winner on the 8th.

Good luck! I hope you have as much fun as I'm having!!!

Check it out!

This amazing vintage sheet quilt that Deb is giving away in her blog Works in Progress. Take a look at the rest of the blog and all her works, because it's worth the visit!

A sneak peak

Do giveaway da próxima semana! Já acabei a peça e estou satisfeita com o resultado final, por isso espero que quem quer que a ganhe goste também. Agora percebo toda esta coisa em torno dos giveaways. É mesmo muito divertido!

Uma dica: uma das regras que vou implementar tem a ver com quem costuma deixar comentários nos meus posts, porque acho justo premiar os "habitués". Portanto... quem visita este blog mas ainda nunca deixou um comentário, vai a tempo de começar. Toca a comentar!

Of next week's giveaway! It's done and I'm happy with the outcome, so I really hope that whoever wins it likes it too. Now I get this whole giveaway thing. This is a lot of fun!

A hint: one of the rules I'll have has to do with people who usually leaves a comment on my posts, because I think it is only fair to reward the "usual costumers". So... if you visit this blog but haven't left a comment yet, it's time to start. Comment away!

Junho

Nos últimos anos, Junho tem sido um grande mês para mim.

Em 2007 a Emma entrou nas nossas vidas.
Em 2008 estava cada vez mais envolvida no SOS Animal (e vi os Bon Jovi no Rock in Rio ehehehe).
Em 2009 recebi a minha máquina de costura.

Por isso, decidi que até ao final deste mês vou fazer um giveaway. Nada de especial... Mas fiquem atentas!

Além disso, para festejar o 1º aniversário do blog e este 1º giveaway hoje inauguro um novo cabeçalho!





In these last few years, June has been a good month for me.

In 2007 Emma came into our lives.
In 2008 I was getting more and more involved in the pet rescue organisation SOS Animal (and I went to a Bon Jovi concert eheheh).
In 2009 I got my sewing machine.

So, I've decided that by the end of this month I'll be hosting a giveaway. Nothing special.. But stay alert!

Also, to celebrate the bloganniversay and this giveaway, today I have a new header!

It's here! It's here!

Pareço uma miúda no dia de Natal.

Quando o carteiro tocou à porta e eu me apercebi do que ele me trazia desatei aos pulinhos e a bater palminhas (é o que eu faço quando estou muito contente e o meu marido perguntou-me se eu o tinha feito em frente ao carteiro... é claroooooo que nãoooo heeheheh).

Só me controlei o tempo suficiente para tirar fotos. Depois saí logo com ela à rua para a passear e a mostrar. Já toda a minha família a viu e delirou. Pudera, é linda!

Não me canso de dizer: OBRIGADA B.!!!

I look like a kid on Christmas day.

When the postman rang the bell and I realised what he was delivering I started jumping and clapping (which is what I usually do when I'm excited and my husband asked if I had done it in from of the postman... of couurseeeeee nooottt hehehehehe).

I managed to get a hold of myself just long enough to take pictures. Then I took it out for a "test drive" and to show it off. All my family has seen it by now and loved it. Of course, it's amazing!

I can't say this enough: THANK YOU B.!!!

I just heard...

That I won this beautifully made purse! Check out all the details. It's PERFECT!





I'm so happy! I'm so happy!!! I love it!!! All my favourite colours combined in one really chic lady bag!

So, thank you very much dear B, from Sweet Limes. I'll take good take care of her, show her all the nice places and introduce her to all my friends :)

Giveaway Day is back!

Giveaway

Aproxima-se um novo Giveaway Day e gostava muito de participar. Mas não tenho nada preparado e, para variar, não sei se teria tempo de preparar algo até lá. Hmm... dilema...

Another Giveaway Day is coming and I'd like to participate. However, I don't have anything prepared and, as always, I doubt I would have time to prepare something by then. Hmm... dilemma...

Thank you Green Bag Lady

É a minha cara!!! Ganhei um dos sacos de pano da campanha da Green Bag Lady para exterminar o uso de sacos de plástico no mundo. Só podia!!! Estou tão contente!!!

(Cliquem na imagem para acederem ao molde gratuito e façam também um saco de pano para vocês.)

It's so my thing!!!! I've won a fabric bag from the Green Bag Lady campaign against the use of plastic bags all around the world. It was mean to be!!! I'm so happy!!!

(Click in the image and it will take you to the free pattern so that you can make a fabric bag of your own.)

So far... not so good (hihihih)

Bem, passei o dia em frente ao computador à espera de receber uma boa notícia na caixa de correio electrónico (mentira: passei o dia no computador porque sou uma das sacrificadas que teve de vir trabalhar hoje) e até agora nada! Nadica de nada! hmpf!

Também já espreitei alguns blogs pois aos poucos têm começado a ser divulgados os nomes das vencedoras dos vários prémios e até agora nada! Nadica de nada! hmpf!

Também já pensei que pode ser que seja do fuso horário. Para os americanos ainda é de manhã, certo? O dia 8 para eles ainda nem a meio vai... Porque até agora nada! Nadica de nada! hmpf!

hihihihi

É claro que estou a falar do fim do Giveaway Day e de como gostava de ganhar alguma coisa, mas na verdade este drama é tudo de brincadeira pois não estou nada chateada. O espírito da iniciativa é outro e eu não podia ter-me divertido mais. Foi mesmo muito giro!!!

Well, I've spent the whole day in front of the computer waiting for some good news to hit my mailbox (it's a lie: I've been here because unlike many portuguese people I couldn't take the day off and enjoy a longer weekend - tomorrow is a national holiday, again..) and so far nothing. Nothing at all! hmpf!

And I've been visiting some blogs where the names of the winners have already been posted and so far nothing. Nothing at all! hmpf!

And I've considered that it must be because of the world timeline. After all, in the States it's still morning, right? The 8th is far from over, because so far nothing. Nothing at all! hmpf!

hihihi

I'm obviously talking about Giveaway Day's winners and how I'd love to win something, but I'm just joking about all the drama here because I'm really not sad at all. The spirit of this event is a whole different thing and I really couldn't have had more fun than I did. It was a blast!

Speechless

Tenho ando a divertir-me muito por essa blogosfera fora a admirar o talento e a generosidade de tantas artistas. Há algumas coisas que nos tocam especialmente, mas seria impossível escrever aqui sobre todas E ter tempo para continuar a visitar os blogs que ainda me faltam. eheheh
Tenho estado a adicionar links à barra lateral, a tornar-me seguidora, a adicionar aos favoritos, tudo o que posso fazer para ter a certeza de que não vou perder o fio à meada e vou regressar aos blogs de que mais gostei quando esta febre do Giveaway Day passar. Sem isso, o giveaway não seria tão divertido, pois na realidade aquilo de que mais gosto é conhecer novos blogs.
Gostei muito deste blog porque nunca tinha visto algo como o "shadow trapunto" e tenciono aprender com mais calma, visto que a autora é generosa a ponto de publicar um tutorial. Ela é da Roménia e deve sentir-se um pouco desamparada pois não há muitas artistas como ela por lá, mas penso que isso é altamente compensado pelo facto de agora ter visitas de todos os cantos do mundo. Adicionei um link especial na barra lateral para todos poderem ir lá visitá-la, deixar um comentário, admirar o trabalho fantástico dela e aprender com ela.

I've been having so much fun visiting blogs worlwide, admiring other people's talent and generosity. There are some artists whose work touches me deeply, but it's impossible to write here about all of them AND have time to continue browsing. So I've been adding their links to my sidebar, becoming a follower, putting them on my Favourites, everything I can do to make sure I won't loose them after the Giveaway Day mania fades. Without that it would take away all the fun of this giveaway, because what I really love about it is the chance of discovering new blogs.
I really enjoyed this blog because I had never seen anything like "shadow trapunto" and I intend to learn it with time, since its author is generous and published a tutorial. She's from Romania and must feel a bit lonely given that there are not many crafters like her there. But I think that having visits from all around the world compensates for that. I've added a special badge linking to her blog, so that you can all visit her, leave a comment, admire her work and learn from her.