The Winner of the Portside Travel Set Pattern

Happy Friday Everyone!! We have a rainy start to our day here in Chicago. Although it's gray and overcast, it's a wonderful start to the day :) It's always a good day when I get to give something away!
Of course, today is the day that I announce the winner of the Portside Travel Set Pattern from Grainline Studio.

Before I announce the winner, I just quickly want to show you how I draw names. I really do my best to make it as fair of a draw as I possibly can.
First, I write all the entries out on a pad of paper.

I then cut the names into strips.

The strips are put in a bag and I shake them up really well. Take note that I can't see through the bag. 

Then I pull a name.

And the winner is......

Congratulations Helen!!!!

Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com. Let me know if you would like a paper pattern or a PDF pattern. I will also need your mailing address if you choose a paper pattern. 

The first post in the sew along will be the dopp bag and pouch. The post should be up next Tuesday and of course I'll let you know once it's up.

I hope that you all have a fabulous day! I have a hair appointment today and that always makes for a great day :)

Rhonda

The Portside Travel Set Sew Along Begins With a Surprise

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!! For those of you here in America, I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. It was glorious being in Chicago this past weekend as it felt like everyone left the city!  

Now that the Labor Day holiday is behind us, school has started, and summer is basically over, it's time to start a new project, so how about the Portside Travel Set from Grainline Studio? 

The pattern includes;

*Duffle Bag

*Dopp Bag

*Travel Pouch 

Week 1 of the sew along is now up on the Sew News blog and you can find the post HERE. 

To kick off the sew along, Jen of Grainline Studio has generously offered to give away a Portside Travel Set pattern!!!! And it gets even better, the winner will be given the choice of a printed pattern or a PDF. So for those of you who hate to tape patterns together, you're in luck :)

So here's the deal, 

1. Leave a message on this post 

2. You must be a follower of this blog. In your comments, let me know how you follow.

I will draw a winner on Friday September 11, 2015.  

Good Luck!!!!!

Starting The Week With Winners!

What a lovely way to begin the week! I just wish I had a pattern for everyone who left their name, but alas, I don't :(

The winners of the 2 Spearmint patterns from Lolita Patterns are........

 Ellegeemakes from  http://ellegeemakes.com/

 and Siri Andersen from http://pinhouseplaymate.blogspot.no/

Congratulations ladies!!! I look forward to seeing your lovely creations. Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so I can get your patterns in the mail.
Now, for those of you who didn't win one of the Spearmint patterns, be sure to check in on tomorrow's post as I have another little something fun that you may not want to miss out on!!!

Sunday Night Reflections

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,

a smile,

a kind word,

a listening ear,

an honest compliment,

or the smallest act of caring,

all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

                                                                                                   Leo Buscaglia

Eating For Your Future/Sesame Noodles with Cucumber Salad

Well, summer is going out with a bang in Chicago. It has been extremely hot the last few days, not Texas, or Arizona hot...but hot for here. Since it is so warm, I have no desire to eat anything too warm, or too heavy. Salads are on the menu!

I actually made the salad I'm posting today a few weeks ago. My husband took one bite and said, "PLEASE make this again!" He loves anything with a peanut sauce :) The recipe is from Smitten Kitchen and you can find it HERE.

Sesame Noodles with Cucumber

3/4 pound dried rice noodles 
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, plus a splash to loosen noodles
2 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste or tahini (see note up top)
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
3 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Chinese rice vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated or brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic (from 1 medium-large clove)
Chili-garlic paste, to taste
1/2 pound cucumber, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped
A handful of chopped fresh herbs, such as mint and cilantro, for garnish

I made a few additions to the recipe;

*I added the juice of 1 lime to the sauce

*Rather than the chili-garlic paste, I chopped up a fresh cayenne pepper

*1 shredded carrot

*1/2 chopped red pepper

*2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes(fresh from my garden)  

*chopped fresh chives

The salad was stirred together, refrigerated for a few hours to allow the flavors to combine and then enjoyed!

Like I said, the salad is amazingly good. Perfect for hot summer days. It will keep well for a few days, so it would be wonderful for lunches too. You could also add chopped fresh spinach to the salad. Be sure to check out the Smitten Kitchen blog as there are a lot of fabulous recipes to be found.
Enjoy!  

The Pattern Hacker

As you know, this is not only National Sewing Month, but it's also Sewing Indie Month as well! Just a quick note about National Sewing Month. I for one am so very happy to have a month designated as a national sewing month. There was a time when I actually thought I would see the world of home sewing come to an end. At one time there were numerous fabric stores in downtown Chicago. Even our beloved Marshall Field's had an entire floor of fabric and yarn. Now we have only one fabric store in downtown Chicago. What was Marshall Field's is now Macy's and there is no fabric by the yard to be found. But I'm happy to say that my very own little neighborhood here in Chicago now has a fun fabric store, The Needle Shop and we also have a new quilt shop with delightful fabrics. So sewing is on the rise!!!!

By now, you may have figured out that I am once again the Pattern Hacker for Sewing Indie Month. I fill kinda like a super hero ;) A super hero with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine!! Actually, I am quite honored to be asked once again to head up this segment for Sewing Indie Month. Like last year, there is a contest and there are some wonderful prizes to be won. You can see all 3 categories and the accompanying prizes HERE.

The winner of the Pattern Hacking category will receive:

• One free Craftsy class of winner’s choice, a $40 value
• $25 gift certificate to Style Maker Fabrics 
• enrollment in the Pattern Workshop
• a $35 gift certificate to Notionally Better
• a $30 gift certificate to Hawthorne Threads
• a PDF pattern of your choice by Blueprints for Sewing
• a PDF pattern of your choice by Seamster Sewing Patterns
• a PDF pattern of your choice by Maison Fleur
• a PDF pattern of your choice by SeamstressErin Designs
• the Bonnell Dress PDF pattern Dixie DIY 

Click HERE for contest rules and how to enter.

Now, for a little hacking!

My first project is going to be the Spearmint Coat from Lolita Patterns. 

The neckline is very low with a large ruffled collar. (Please forgive my wrinkles!!) It's a very feminine design. Since I would like to wear this coat in the winter, and it is Chicago, I need a collar that isn't quite so open. So what to do?

A little sneak peek at what the new collar will look like. I'm keeping the beautiful shape of the collar, but forfeiting the ruffles to fill in the neckline. Be sure to pop back by next Thursday to see the finished collar and the how-tos.

Now, if you've made it to this point in the post, I have a surprise for you! I have 2, yes, 2 Spearmint patterns to give away, WOO HOO!!! 

If you would like a chance to win 1 of the patterns, just leave a message on this post. I will announce the winner on Monday, September 7, 2015. 

A little about the coat. I love the fit of this coat! Enough said :)

I think Sewing Indie Month is off to a great start!

Sew Independant/And a Pattern Bundle Opportunity!

The first part of August, I told you about a wonderful opportunity to support not only independent pattern companies, but a very worthwhile cause, Women for Women International. Women for Women is an organization which helps women dealing with violence, poverty, and marginalization due to war and conflict.
The second bundle for Sewing Indie Month is up and ready to go and there are so many wonderful patterns in this bundle.  

From SeamstressErin Designs, a fabulous bathing suit, with options.
http://seamstresserin.com/shop/nautilus-swimsuit/

Check out this great hooded sweatshirt from Paprika Patterns. Be sure to click on the link below to see all the options. There's a dress too!
https://www.paprikapatterns.com/shop/jasper-sweaterdress/

From MIY Collection, the Walkley Vest and Dress Pattern. This pattern makes for a great start to lots of fabulous design ideas.
http://www.miycollection.com/collections/sewing-patterns-digital/products/walkley-vest-dress-pdf-pattern

From Closet Case Files, the ever so sexy Nettie Dress and Bodysuit pattern.
http://www.store.closetcasefiles.com/products/nettie-pattern

Whether you work out, or just like to look the part ;), the VNA Top from Fehr Trade.
http://shop.fehrtrade.com/products/vna-top

An adorable skirt with great lines from Maison Fleur.
https://maisonfleurpatterns.com/product/6101-fit-and-flare-skirt-pdf/

The go to, live in all the time Pinot Pant from SBCC.
http://www.sbccpatterns.com/products/pinot-pants

A brand new pattern from Kate and Rose, the Kinga Skirt. The skirt is pictured on the pattern bundle sketch above. It's on the second row and second from the left. A short and long version is included in the pattern.
http://kateandrosepatterns.bigcartel.com/category/sewing-patterns

The queen of the no waste pattern, Soma Patterns, is out with a brand new coat. The pattern has not been released to the public and the only way you can get it now is to purchase the pattern bundle.
http://mysomapatterns.com/

So here's the deal

Pricing:

Pay what you want for the bundle! The more you pay, the more rewards you'll receive. 

• Pay $25 or more to get the VNA Top, 6101 Fit & Flare Skirt, Bess Top, Nettie Dress & Bodysuit, and Pinot Pants.
• Pay $32 or more to get the Walkley Vest & Dress and Jasper Sweater & Dress.
• Pay $38 or more to get the Nautilus Swimsuit, the NEW Kinga Skirt, and the NEW April 1962 Coat.

Pay at least $38.00 and you get all the patterns included in the pattern bundle. I think that's an incredible deal! Click HERE to shop.

Remember the Kinga Skirt by Kate & Rose and the April 1962 Coat by SomaPatterns are brand new patterns that are being released with the bundle. During the sale you can only buy them as part of the bundle. 

• The sale will run from Tuesday September 1st through Thursday September 10th.
• 20% of bundle proceeds will be donated to Women for Women, which helps women dealing with violence, marginalization, and poverty due to war and conflict.
• Sewing Indie Month (SIM) is a month-long celebration of indie sewing patterns where designers collaborate to bring you fun blog posts and informative tutorials. This year SIM is taking place in September. It's accompanied by a sewalong contest with fantastic prizes. Since the patterns in the SIM Bundle 2 are mostly knits, this sale gives you time to make quick projects for the contest while supporting small women-owned businesses and raising money for charity.

Now, pop over to Sewing Indie Headquarters to read all about the contest and prizes that are included  with this month long celebration. Just click HERE!