I'd say I never win anything, but I'd be lying

I enter at least one contest a week for fabric.  Sometimes I enter contests for patterns or handmade items.  I keep entering because one time I read this book and learned to never give up.  I'm not a crazy contest enterer because I don't want to add unusable items to my junk collection, but I do stay busy commenting and answering surveys for free and discounted items.  I see it as my third job that is compensated for less than minimum wage.

My sewing buddy had an amazing sewing buddy moment and reminded me that the Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway Day ended on the day in which she reminded me.  I visited at least 100 blogs but only entered about 15 contests.  I would have entered a few more, but my computer didn't like me doing so.  I had hoped to win something, but I was also realistic knowing that I enter at least one contest a week where I don't win anything--and usually am happier that it's one less thing I have to add to my stash and then use up to make my stash disappear.

Anyway...the point!

I entered this contest.  AND I won!  I was elated.  Through the process of entering the different contests, I came across several blogs to add to my reader.  Carrie's blog was one that I was interested in seeing more of her work.  I greatly enjoy mixed media art (because my analytical brain likes discovering something new each time I view it), so her art quilts were fascinating to look at.  My favorite is the quilted bride: it's my favorite colors, it's ruffled, it has a dictionary print for the flesh.  I never get tired of looking at it! It was also cool to find out I had a couple little things in common with Carrie as we conversed about the quilt I won.  (I always roll my eyes when I see other sewing bloggers talk about the community in sewblogland, but I've been having a little bit of fun with the interaction with my sewing buddy, this contest, and a few replies to some other blog comments.) 

SO let's talk about my quilt!  It's now hanging on my inspiration wall where I keep other items friends have made.  What was really exciting (besides waiting for the mail) to receive were extra surprises along with the quilt.  Carrie was so kind to include a fat quarter, ribbon, buttons, and trim!  I already have plans to put them to good use.



Christmas in May


Isn't the quilt delightful!? I had a perfect bit of ribbon to hang the quilt to bring out a beautiful light robin's egg blue.  The splash of red in the quilt is perfect for my inspiration wall.  I'm loving the better balance of color in that corner of my sewing area.





Let's summarize:

1. You should visit believemagic because you can
   a. see better pictures of the quilt
   b. see a lot of other great quilts
2. You should visit my sewing buddy's blog because
   a. she makes great things too
3. I would like to give something away if there's another giveaway of this sort because
   a. sending and receiving mail is pretty much one of my favorite things
   b. and, I guess I like to sew, too ;)  
4. If you're local, you should come visit my exhibit because
   a. there are a lot of details on this quilt
   b. museums are pretty much one of my favorite things (little known fact: I started certification in such things during college and now analyze all exhibits when I'm museum hopping)