Anything Goes Blog Hop & Day 1 Giveaway

Welcome to the Anything Goes Blog Hop.  I put together this hop to celebrate my one year Blog Birthiversary and to kick off a weeks worth of giveaways!  I can't believe I have been doing this for a year!  I have loved every minute of it.  I decided to make the theme for this hop Anything Goes because I have been trying my hand at other things crafty beyond paper and wanted to share with you what I have created. 
Today I'm sharing....pillow cases.  My kids and I have buckwheat pillows and we take them with us whenever we go on vacation.  The problem was the cases that came with our buckwheat pillows were white, just like most hotel pillows and we have been oh so close to forgetting them.  I thought if I made new cases then we will surely notice and remember to bring them back home with us.

Here are four of the cases that I made.  I made 9 total using different fabric combinations. 

On this first one I could not figure out how to get the finished seam on the inside and outside so I decided to add some ribbon to cover my oops.  I didn't think it was bad for my first attempt and I kind of like the ribbon trim.

The second went much smoother.  I love these owls and there are little "zzzzz" all over too. 

This one was one of the last ones and here I discovered that if I ironed my seams flat after sewing other pieces would sew together much easier and look better.  With each one I got better and more brave. 

This was my final one...I decided to gather the trim color at the end.  It took a few tries because I wasn't sure exactly how to gather material .  You have to make the stitch really loose for it to gather easily.  I broke a few threads and had to start over...is there a better way?  Sewing experts feel free to share? 

Here is a closer look.  I thought they all turned out pretty good since the only thing I had ever attempted were squares for a quilt and that is still unfinished.  I really enjoyed sewing and found it quite relaxing too.  I'm sure I will find more sewing projects in the future. 

Now on to the goodies.  I have the first of FIVE envelopes filled with goodies to give away today.  All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment.  For an additional chance to win post this link to your blog and leave a second comment telling me so.  Winners will be picked by random Pete* and announced on September 10th.  Remember to check back for the next 7 days because I'm having a give away a day.

Thank you for stopping by the next stop on the hop is Kristi from Craftin’ on my Door

In Case you get lost here is the rest of the line-up:

Stephanie from Once upon a Paper @ http://onceuponapaper.blogspot.com/

Kristi from Craftin’ on my Door @ http://craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com/

Txscrappermom @ http://www.txscrappermom.blogspot.com/

Scraplette from Around the Block with Scraplette @ http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/

Renee from I Came, I Saw, I Created  @ http://icameisawicreated.blogspot.com/

Michele from Green Girl Scraps @ www.michelegreen.com

Ali from Scrapping with Alicat @ http://scrappingwithalicat.blogspot.com/

Carla  from OCD Scrapology @ http://ocdscrapology.blogspot.com/

Amber from My 3 E Scrapbooking @ http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Cassie from Scrappin’ Palace @ 2 http://scrappinpalace.blogspot.com/

Thanks Again Ladies.  Your are all GREAT!!!

*Pete is a guy in my office who picks the number of the winner from the range I give him.  Completely Random.