Thursday, September 1, 2011

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.

33 comments:

  1. I love your pillow cases. they are beautiful. tis
    bdtktr at gmail dot com
    craftinwithmypups.blogspot.com

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  2. What cute cases! I love the paisley brown one!

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  3. Super cute! Love love love the owls one!

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  4. The pillowcases are so cute! What a great idea to separate from hotel pillows!
    Congrats on your 1 year blogaversary!
    Patty/ SouthernGypsy

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  5. Those are cute. I have never thought to actually make my own to match different decor. Thanks for sharing. Off to hop. Linda Harris Lsunflower58@aol.com

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  6. I love the pillowcases. and what a great idea for when you go on vacation. I always bring my pillow but never thought about using a fun print pillowcase as a reminder to grab it. :)

    Beth
    baby.cowgirl88 at yahoo dot com

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  7. I love your pillowcases. You did a fabulous job on them. The owl one is too cute. Congratulations on your first blogaversary!! I'm a follower.

    Babe
    youiesmom@att.net

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  8. Love these! I am truly impressed and wish I knew how to sew too! thanks so much and happy birthiversary! hehehe!
    Lisa
    summer_sunset54 at hotmail dot com

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  9. Never heard of Buckwheat pillows. What are the benefits?

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  10. These are all super cute and a great idea so you won't loose them.
    Eva :0)
    http://evasscrapsncards.blogspot.com

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  11. I like them!

    Thanks for hosting the hop!

    michelegreen120 at gmail dot com
    www.michelegreen.com

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  12. Fabulous pillows. my kids would flip over these! TFS joy4umetoo at hotmail dot com

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  13. Very colorful! I wish I knew how to sew. Thanks for hosting the hop!

    ali at ali.boerger at yahoo dot com

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  14. Love what you did. I am in the process myself of making some pillows out of pillow slips for my grandaughter's. I love the prints you used. Cute ideas. Thanks for sharing.

    Jacqy at http://luv2create4u.blogspot.com

    luv2.create4u@yahoo.com

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  15. These are so cute Stephanie! I love all the different fabrics! They are so bright and colorful! My MIL makes the girls these for the different holidays! We'll be pulling out the halloween ones soon! Thanks for inviting me to be a part of the fun today and congrats on your blog Birthiversary!
    Amber

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  16. I love those pillow cases! I really stink at sewing so I always admire projects like this. Love the owl one!
    Tracy
    jtg0398(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  17. Such fun pillow cases! I love the Owl one! :) http://happyplaceforjen.blogspot.com/

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  18. I love your pillow cases. Thanks for a great hop.

    pennyspad at sbcglobal dot net

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  19. Oh those are so cute and what a fabulous idea so you don't live them behind
    Now a follower
    perderg{at}q{dot}com

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  20. So cute! Love these pillows. Also love your so sweet LO from before. I am a new follower and I am off to look around.

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  21. OOOO my girls would LOVE those pillow cases! The fabric is great! TFS CallyAnn(new follower)
    http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com
    come on over:)

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  22. Won't leave those pillows for sure! They are adorable! Great idea!

    leannelundquist@yahoo.com

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  23. Ohhh September 11th is my birthday, so winning a prize sure would be nice (hint, hint) LOvE your pillow cases! So cute!

    chrissandlou.blogspot.com
    america57@comcast.net

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  24. Very cool! I wish I had some sewing talent, but unfortunately I don't so for now I will sit here and drool over your adorable pillow cases! lol

    dmcarlisle09atgmaildotcom

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  25. Great pillow cases. You should be able to remember them now. They will really stand out. I will have to try that for travel and camping. Happy Blogaversary. Thanks for the opportunity to win STUFF!
    syoung6987 at aol dot com

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  26. What pretty pillow cases. This is a great idea.
    TFS.

    Kris
    dietzrobles at yahoo dot com

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  27. Aww very nice pillow cases! They look comfy

    =]
    -Kristen

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  28. I'm not a sewing expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I noticed no one else had answered your question about gathering material yet. When I used to sew (about a million years ago!) I would hand stitch the piece of material that was going to be gathered, just with a plain slip-stitch. When you get to the end of the piece of material, hold the thread taut and the material will slide right along the thread. Gather it evenly, and until the piece is now long enough to fit on the other, non-gathered piece. Pin the two pieces together. Carefully machine stitch them together. Wow...I hope that wasn't too confusing!!

    I love the idea of making bright cases, so your pillows won't get left behind!

    amyis300 AT hotmail DOT com
    scrapthissavethat.blogspot.com

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  29. Very cute pillowcases. Perfect for sleepovers, and the pillows are easily found. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Fun pillowcases. I wish I would have done something like this when we went on vacation, because we forgot one our pillows there, just like you mentioned.

    Smiles Sher
    ShersL84bed@aol.com

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