December Birthday Celebration...The Final Day

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the final day of the December celebration!

Our first winner is...

Congratulations Carole!!! Carole blogs at  http://miasews.blogspot.com/. She dances, makes the cutest tennis outfits and is an all around very energetic, on the go kind of a gal!!!
Now on to the final illustrations.

The above piece is a little over the top. That's a LOT of ruffles and gathers!    
The piece below is all out femininity, a flirty circular skit, cinched waist and a little flared peplum. Lovely.

And the final winner is ....

Polda Pop, a.k.a. Lisa, blogs at http://www.poldapop.com/. She's the mom of two precious little girls and has an over the top passion for sewing. Congratulations Lisa!!!!
Please be sure to email your addresses to me so I can get your packages in the mail, sewbussted@yahoo.com.
I will leave the December Celebration posts up for the next week, but then I will delete them. As I said, they take up space that can be better used for a tutorial, I hope anyway! So if there are any of the pictures that you would like to save for inspiration, please download them.
So, that's it. Seems a bit sad to have it all said and done. At the close of the year, and especially around my birthday, I always enjoy doing something a little special. Crazy me, I've already begun to think about next year. The fact that I've already begun to fret a bit about what I could possibly do next year is a good lesson for me on letting go and just allowing things to happen. I am finding more and more that when I step back and just allow the universe, divine intervention, or whatever you would like to call it, to take over, magical things happen. So, I'm letting go and putting my order in for a little magic for next December!!!
The true magic though is the daily gift I receive from so many of you. Your comments and emails are always a delight, but the fact that you give up a few moments of your day and spend them with me is the best gift I could receive.
Thank you.
Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 20 and 21

I have to apologize as I had intended to get back to the computer and post yesterday's winner and the new illustrations, but by the time I thought about it, well, I was in bed. Ooops!! So rather than just post one, I am going to post two, so be sure to scroll through as you just might be a winner!
The winner of the illustrations pictured here is,

 Congratulations Golden Star!!! What a perfect name for this time of year :)

Now for the illustrations that I should have posted yesterday.

 And the winner of the above pictures is Bunny!!! Yea Bunny!

In case you don't know Bunny, she blogs at http://lasewist.blogspot.com/, a blog you should check out. Everything she makes is truly a work of art.

Now for today's pieces.  Notice the lovely asymmetrical collar on the jacket above and the sleeve on the dress below. I think a little more subdued version of this sleeve would be lovely.

I also love the pairing of the fabrics. A little unexpected, but it really works.

So, tomorrow is our last day :(, but all good things must come to an end.  I'll post the last picture as well as the winner tomorrow.
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 19

Good Morning! I have three more sets of illustrations to post after today and then the celebration will be over. If by chance you would like to save any of the images that I have posted, be sure to download them as once the celebration is over, I am going to delete these posts. They just take up room on my account and there is no real need to keep them.

Today's winner is a fellow Chicagoan, well almost Chicago, a close in suburb.

 Congratulations PJM!!!! Be sure to get your address to me.

I really get a kick out of today's illustrations. Talk about strong in nature. It's not too often that you see a woman smoking a cigar!!! Thankfully :) But, I like the illustrations nonetheless.

How things have changed. There was a time when we would have thought nothing of having a floral jacket and matching skirt. Now it's considered too matchy, matchy. Call me a stone age leftover, but sometimes I still like matchy, matchy ;)

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 17

Wow, is this week ever flying by. I'm sure many of you feel the same way, too much to do and time is growing short!! Last night I sat down and addressed my Christmas cards, most of them anyway. Yes, I am one of those who still likes to send out cards. For me they are like a small little gift. I even hang the cards that I receive and they become a part of my holiday decor. Just call me crazy, I even have all of the cards that my husband has given to me over the years. Just a sentimental fool!!!

As much as I love to visit :), I need to get busy. I have two shirts that I would like to get finished for my husband. Once they are finished, I'll give you a sneak peek. So on to today's winner....

Yea Vicki!!!! Vicki has been following my blog for quite some time, and she is always so kind to leave comments, so I am especially happy that I'll be able to send a little package her way :)

Today's silhouettes are not for everyone, they do show off the figure!! I really like the piece below.

How I wish I could allow all of you to touch the fabric. Both of these dresses were made out of a silk knit that is like liquid gold. It has a soft sheen, beautiful recovery and feels like heaven in your hand. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO FIND FABRIC LIKE THIS!!!!!

Remember, the last pictures will be posted on Monday, December 23rd and the final winner will be announced on the 24th, so you still have time if you would like a chance to win.
Here's what you need to do;
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail.

If by chance you know  where we can find top end fabrics, and I mean top end like the silk above, please let me know and I will post it. We may not be able to fill our closets with fabrics like this, but a piece from time to time would really be so nice!!
Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 16

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to day 16 of my little celebration! A friend of mine sent this video to me and I thought it was a lot of fun, so I thought I would include it for all of you who might be celebrating a birthday this month. Be sure to stay to the end as she does something that is rather amazing.

Our winner for today is ironically another Texan! 

 Congratulations Lamar!!! Be sure to get your address to me :)

Now for today's illustrations. I have dresses in my closet that look like these!! The shoulders aren't as wide, but the silhouette is still the same. Just goes to show that good design is good design regardless of the era.

There is still time to throw your name in my little box if you would like to win one of the Ungaro illustrations from the Spring 1989 fabric swatch catalog. The last pictures will be posted on December 23rd and then the celebration will officially be over. So here's what you need to do;
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.
Believe it or not, there are a couple of people who have yet to respond :( What I will do is wait until the last day and then I'll pull names for any that have not been claimed. I think that is fair. I have a few who have yet to respond, 
Rosy, responded, but I haven't received an email with your address!!
Fran
Candy Blackham
If you are on the list, please be sure to get your address to me so I can get your package in the mail. If you have not responded by December 23rd, I will draw new names for the unclaimed illustrations.

It's snowing in Chicago. I think we will have a white Christmas this year. So nice!

December Birthday Celebration Day 15

It's the week before Christmas, and I have so much to do!!! December has just flown by.

Today's winner is....

 Congratulations Fran. Be sure to get you address to me so I can get your package in the mail!

Now for today's pieces. Such pretty party pieces. I love the peek-a-boo rose in the hem of the piece above. I think that would be rather fun to do.

The fabric swatches are a little lacking. They managed to cut a piece of the print where there is no print! Oh well, the fabric is still quite pretty.

We have 7 more days left in the Birthday Celebration, so in the event that you have not thrown your name in and would like a chance to win one of the illustrations, here's what you need to do;
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.
Believe it or not, there are a couple of people who have yet to respond :( What I will do is wait until the last day and then I'll pull names for any that have not been claimed. I think that is fair.

Happy Monday Everyone!!!
Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 14

The count down begins as we start the final week of the December Birthday Celebration Giveaway. I have truly enjoyed putting my little presents in the mail. Thanks again Becki for giving me the idea.

Our winner for today is.....

 Congratulations Patti. Be sure to email me your address!

The little white dress above is lovely, but I especially like the fabrics that were combined for the silhouette below.

Isn't that pink fabric absolutely gorgeous?!! Too bad it isn't still available. Wouldn't it be a dream come true to find out that there is a warehouse somewhere that still has all of this fabric?! Dream, dream, dream :)

There are 8 more days left to this celebration, so once again, if you haven't thrown your name in the box yet, here's how you can have a chance to win and help me celebrate my birthday all month long :) 
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.
Believe it or not, there are a couple of people who have yet to respond :( What I will do is wait until the last day and then I'll pull names for any that have not been claimed. I think that is fair.

Soup is almost on, so I'll be back in a bit with a new recipe. I think it's a good one!

December Birthday Celebration Day 13

I've always found the number 13 to be a very lucky number. I'm one of those strange people who actually looks forward to Friday the 13th as something special always happens. Maybe it's because I expect something wonderful to happen and maybe it's just luck, who knows, I like 13! So today will be our 13th winner, in my book a very lucky person. so who is it? It's...

Congratulations Kay!!! You left a message back on December 3rd, so your patience paid off.

Today's pictures are at two ends of the spectrum, one is flowy and full and the other is nipped and flirty. It's a little difficult to let go of the picture below. I think this is just such a wonderful illustration, just a hint of what the dress is really like. Now, I wouldn't wear a bow where this one is placed, but I like the illustration nonetheless.

There are 9 more days left to this celebration, so once again, if you haven't thrown your name in the box yet, here's how you can have a chance to win and help me celebrate my birthday all month long :) 
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

Good Luck and Happy Saturday!

Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 12

First of all, thank you so much for all of the lovely birthday wishes. I appreciated them more than you know. This birthday was a bit difficult. I had been in for a procedure with an oral surgeon on Tuesday and I had a follow up procedure with my dentist yesterday. I had such a hard time. About midway through, I burst into tears. Some of the tears were for the pain and some were just because I felt sorry for myself. I told my dentist that it was my birthday and this did not make it a happy day in the least. I think they felt sorry for me as I was sent home with a card and a gift certificate to Starbucks. Hey, maybe I should cry a little more often ;) There was a nice light at the end of the tunnel though. He had thought that I would have to go in for even more surgery, but he said that everything went so well yesterday so he thinks the next step won't be necessary. GREAT NEWS!!! Not that you want to hear my medical history, but I would just like to add that although this has been a 30 year process and yes, the tumor wreaked havoc on my face and mouth, I have been so fortunate to have excellent care all along the way. If I can pass along one thing, please see your dentist for at least a yearly check up. I'm here today because I went in for what I thought would be a normal routine check up.
Okay, on to something a little more fun!
We have a winner and it is Rosy of http://www.sewingadicta.com/!! WooHoo!! Congratulations Rosy. The illustrations I posted yesterday are going on a journey all the way to the Canary Islands. My very first exchange student actually lives on the same island as Rosy. It is such a small world. So please send me your address Rosy so I can get your little package out to you.

Now for today. As I said recently, I absolutely love to pair stripes with prints.

I must have picked this up from Mr. Ungaro because of course I was taught that stripes and prints don't work together. One thing that I have learned is that whatever you thought didn't work, well, it just may. Give it a try!

I feel like a broken record (remember those!!!), but I would like for everyone to have a chance at winning, so if you haven't thrown your name in the box yet, here's how you can have a chance to win and help me celebrate my birthday all month long :)
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

I just mailed off all the current winners yesterday, so your packages should arrive soon. Keep an eye out for them.

I'll be back a little later today with the post that I had intended to do yesterday for the Master Sewing and Design Certification program. 

Today Is My Actual Birthday!!

We've been celebrating for almost two weeks, and now the day has finally arrived. Yes, I was born on December 12th....and we'll just leave the actual year a mystery ;)
I was not raised Catholic, but decided to convert after my husband and I were married. It was all my own idea. I felt it would be good for our marriage. It has been. Some years ago, I was taking Spanish lessons and the teacher found out that my birthday is December 12th. She was so excited and asked me if I knew the significance. No, I had no idea. She told me that December 12th is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and that it is truly a blessing for a family to have a child born on this day. I was intrigued, so I did a little research and the more I learned, the more I came to feel honored that I would have Our Lady of Guadalupe as my patron saint. In my house, she is also known as Our Lady In The Wall. I'll share that story with you this upcoming Sunday night. Suspense!!!
So on to the giving of presents!! Today's winner is a fellow Texan  

Linda makes lovely things and shares them on her blog, http://seamswell.blogspot.com/ Congratulations Linda!!! 

Now for today's pretty pictures. I think I am going to have to make myself a plaid jacket as I just love the one below. Yes, the shoulders are a little exaggerated, but the blue and white mixed with the yellow is just so lovely. Notice the bias trim around the edge of the jacket. Beautiful!

I have 11 more illustrations to give away. The last will be given on December 23rd. As I've said, the odds are pretty good, far better than the lottery. If you have yet to enter and would like a chance to win, here's the scoop....
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

Wishing you all a wonderful day!!!

Rhonda

December Birthday Celebration Day 10

Good Morning and welcome to day 10! What a way to celebrate my birthday. On the other hand, I have been reminded everyday this month that I will be another year older!! I look at it this way though, it's better than the alternative(of not turning another year older!)

So on to today's lucky winner

Congratulations Miss Nancy!!!! Nancy lives near beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico and she has a blog that you can find here, http://sewwest.blogspot.com/. If you've never checked out her blog, do so as she is such a lovely lady.

Now for today's beauties. I don't know which one I like better. I am always a sucker for pairing prints with stripes, so I will probably have to go with the one below.

If you have yet to enter and would like a chance to win, here's the scoop....
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

I have 12 more illustrations to give away in celebration of my birthday, so although the names have continued to grow in my little box, I think there is a 1 in 3 chance of winning. Not too bad. Keep your fingers crossed and maybe your toes too!!!

December Birthday Celebration Day 9

Hi Everyone! I didn't want the day to get completely away before I posted today's winner and the pictures for tomorrow's winner. I'm a little late, but better late than never!

So today's lucky winner is

 Yea Candy!!! Please be sure to get me your address within 3 days so I can get your package out to you.

 Now for today's illustrations. Easy breezy styles. I especially like the sleeves on the jacket below.

If you have yet to enter and would like a chance to win, here's the scoop....
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. You only need to leave one comment. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

By the way, all of the pieces that I posted on Sunday in my Etsy shop are gone.  I have some more that I will be posting from the 1990 Fall/Winter fabric swatch catalog. If I'm feeling energetic enough tomorrow, I hope to get that done. I'll let you know when they are up. I'm so happy that so many of you have been so excited about the illustrations and even more, I'm so happy that they are going to good homes where I hope they will bring about a little inspiration. 

December Birthday Celebration Day 8

Happy Monday Everyone! Well...I put the illustrations from the 1990 spring Ungaro collection up on Etsy yesterday evening and they are almost gone!!! I do have a few more to post today, so you may want to keep a look out for them. I priced the illustrations very reasonably, so if you are in the market for a little gift for yourself and your sewing studio, this just might be the thing!! And you won't break the bank :) You can find my Etsy shop here, https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewBussted?ref=pr_shop_more

My birthday is quickly approaching. It's actually this Thursday. It's a very special day, not because it's my birthday, but because of the beautiful story and saint that is attached to that day. I'll share more about that on Thursday. So for today, we'll just continue to celebrate with another winner. 

Congratulations Gill!!!! I know Gill is very happy to have won as she left this message a few days ago, "My fingers are still crossed!!!" Ahh, the power of positive thinking :)

 Now for today's beauties. So lovely.

Once again, if you have yet to enter and would like a chance to win, here's the scoop....
1. You must be a follower of the blog through some vehicle be it my little follower box, bloglovin, feedly or some other reader. Just let me know how you follow.
2. Leave a comment on this post. Once you leave a comment, you will not have to continue to leave comments as your name will stay in the box until you win. Once you win, your name will be removed.
3. Be sure to check back each day to see if you have won. If you do win, please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get your prize in the mail. I will give you 3 days to respond. If at that time I have not heard from you, I will draw a new name.

Good Luck and keep those fingers crossed!!