Giveaway!!!!

I seriously almost fell off my chair when I read that Corrie is giving away 20 fat quarters of this beautiful line..... so here's my entry to her giveaway. Let's hope I win some!!!

It's Giveaway Time!!

I've well and truly sailed past 200 posts now, this being my 223rd post. So how about a giveaway!? It's been a long time since my last. The last few weeks has found me up to my ears in vintage patterns, sorting my collection out. I have found one that might be of use to those of you out there that like to sew for your daughters.

The pattern is Style 1638 Girls' Dress or Top and Trousers - Size 7.

Printed in 1976, this pattern is a very groovy one. I particularly like the red floral dress on the left!

If you would like this pattern, then all you need to do is mention the giveaway and provide a link back to here on your blog and let me know you've done so in the comments below. That simple! I'm happy to post anywhere!! I will draw the winner 8pm Adelaide time next Monday night.

Happy mail

A lurvely parcel arrived in my letterbox this week, from the creative Amy of Badskirt. I had won a giveaway over on her blog and Amy was wonderfully kind to bring me back some fabrics and other goodies on her recent trip to Japan. How gorgeous is the fabric and the tape!! Definitely some personal sewing stash goodies there.

I am also clearing out some vintage 1950's sewing patterns and modern craft patterns via ebay at the moment. If you want to have a looksie, have a look here. A couple of those I have for sale I've pictured below.

I have found 3 pattern test sewers so thank you to those of you who offered your services. Much appreciated! I'll be sending out emails in the next couple of days requesting snail mail addresses so that I can post the kits out.

Off to Brown Owls tonight! My first one!!! Just a tad excited. I will be taking along a hat which I am halfway through but struggling with knitting rib. My knits and purls aren't lining up between rows!!!!

Okay, so it's not Monday

And you kids have probably been wanting to know who won the giveaway of the vintage top pattern.

So I again went to the clever little program called The Hat. And the Hat says......

the winner is............. Renee! Renee has a cute blog called And All Things Nice. Renee has recently been writing about recipes, cats, Toy Society drops and more. Check it out!!

Renee drop me a line via email and provide your postal address so I can get this pattern in the mail to you!

Stuff I do when I'm not feeling crafty...

I have giveaways and clear out my studio!

So here's my new giveaway. If you would like the pattern pictured above right that made the top above left, simply leave a comment below telling me what you do when you aren't feeling crafty and want to get back into the crafty mood. If you would like two entries, blog about my giveaway on your blog and link back to here!

And no, I can't guarantee wearing this top will end up with your children covered in band-aids. Them's the breaks of being three I guess!

Comments close Sunday night and I'll announce the winner Monday 27th April.

Don't forget my garage sale of vintage craft books, vintage sewing patterns, biscuit tins and soon to come, toys, golden books and more patterns.

We Have A Winner!!

I found a fantastic name drawing program thanks to Our Shabby Cottage called the Hat.

So here, without further ado, is the winner.....

Congratulations Selina!!

You have won the Silly Gilly Mystery box!!!!! I can tailor it a little to you and your children, so let me know their names and ages too if you would be so kind.

Yay! I love giving things away. Warms the little cockles of my heart. Awww......

Hark, I hear the trumpets' fanfare! Part 2

I was going to mention the 101th post (yes, the 'th' bit is deliberate, I think it sounds better than 'st') in my last post but it was getting so long!

So here is the announcement of my 101th post giveaway. I've decided to be a woman of intrigue and mystery and make the giveaway a mystery giveaway.

What on earth might one find in their parcel if they were the winner of a Silly Gilly mystery giveaway? Vintage patterns, vintage children's books, ribbon, bias trim, buttons, fabric, new kids patterns for toys or clothing, fabric scraps... the list goes on but the box, yes box!, will be full of lovely things that, if you like what I like, will make you overjoyed!!

But there is a tiny catch. I want to make you work for your goodies. That and I like doing market research via my blog. Tell me your favourite type of Silly Gilly item from the list below and why it's your fave. By favourite, I mean what you think is the cutest, most useful, nicest to give as a gift...

• Art Smock
• Apron
• Summer Hat for boys and girls
• Fleece Hat for boys and girls
• Library Bag
• Bloomers for girls
• Steiner Toys
• Girls Handbags
• Learn to Sew Cards

And if you would like to be in the draw twice, mention this giveaway on your blog and link to this post! Good luck with the giveaway. The winner will be drawn 8.30pm Adelaide time Sunday 18th January.

And to prove that Jodie isn't just borrowing those really good cat photos from some cute cat photo site, here is a photo I took of her cute cat on Saturday. He is such an easy study! All he does is lie there and in this photo seems to be saying, Hurry up! Take it already!!

So that was Xmas....

I think I had a lovely Xmas this year.
That is if I can remember it.....

I've been holed up in bed with the dreaded flu... the bone aching, room spinning, chills and sweats flu....

So I've crawled (well almost) my way to the computer just to reconnect in some way with the outside world and share my sadness at missing the 20% off sale at Spotlight yesterday. I think that hurts more than the flu does.

Don't worry. I've had plenty of time to think and haven't forgotten about my 100th post giveaway.
I'll be posting about that soon. Promise. :)

Random photo from recent Bali trip due to lack of good xmas photos.....

Post #85

Surely that means that if I'm punctual and post nearly every day that before the end of the year I'll hit the 100th post milestone!! Whoo hooooo!

And surely that means a 100th post giveaway.

Any suggestions loyal readers? Now there's a question, seeing which of you know what I do and what I might be able to whip up to give away. I'm thinking big here gals, I'm thinking perhaps even making something. Or donating a garage sale purchase...... Nothing like a big build up.. LOL.

I also have a nerdy question - does anyone out there in blogland own a Canon multifunction Pixma MP540? I'm thinking of purchasing one and would like to hear of any good or constructive feedback. Thanks in advance.

And to finish off a completely info based post, here is a photo of a dog. My dog. Ella Bella Smella Puppy Power. Bless her little white fluffy paws. She's about as cute as this little furball.

And the winners are.......

Congratulations to sewfunky and Linda!!!!!

These two girls have such fun and interesting blogs, sewfunky even has four blogs going at the one time! I'm impressed, I can only think of witty things to say for one blog, let alone four...

Everyone, your comments made me absolutely cack myself. I've been telling all and sundry about all the great comments, mostly to quizzical looks..... hmmm... methinks those people don't read blogs....

Gals, flick me via email your snail mail addresses and I will pop in the mail six Little Golden Books to each of you.

I've been dreaming of a crafty getaway lately but unfortunately it's not in the budget right now. But I'm happy to share the crafty getaway goodness with you all. Jodie from Quilt Fabric Delights is hosting Inspired Stitches next year here in South Australia. You will get to meet and work with Rosalie Quinlan, Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House, Melanie Hurlston of Melly & Me, and Janelle Wind, all very talented crafters in their own right.

And I've been drooling and sighing and wishing and dreaming about Sooz's getaway from which she recently returned. Ah, is it bad form to invite yourself to other people's crafty weekends........?

Little Golden Book Giveaway!!

I have lots of Little Golden Books. Let's say we are close to 300 books.

That's shameful.
That's embarrassing.
That's just plain odd.

So in my efforts to tidy up the collection I have decided to have another Blogtoberfest give away of those books a) of which we have two copies, b) I just don't feel the groove when I read them or c) that are a little too 'loved' to be worth reading anymore.

So the purpose of this giveaway is not to give away pristine Little Golden Books. Dang, you say!! Not that they are dilapidated but they have seen better days. Not all of them. Some are still in great condition!

But wait, there is a method to this madness. These books are great sources of illustrations for framing for your child's room, pictures for Xmas tags or birthday cards, for use in all sorts of crafts and cleverness.

Here are a few examples of what I mean.....

The title of the books in the giveaway are, in no particular order,:

• My Home
• The Shy Little Kitten
• Mickey Mouse and Goofy - The Big Bear Scare
• Swiss Family Robinson
• The Road Runner - A Very Scary Lesson
• Hansel and Gretel
• A Day at the Zoo
• The Three Bears
• The Happy Golden ABC
• The Bunny Book
• We Help Daddy
• Sleeping Beauty
  

There will be 2 giveaway winners this time. If you would like to be in the draw to win six of these books then simply leave a comment with a funny quote of what the mother is saying in this picture:

She's waving goodbye at the door to the father and child leaving.... What do you think she is saying???

Comments to be in by 9pm Adelaide time Sunday 26th October.

And the winner of the brown crunchy mountain fabric is......

To quote the Random Integer Generator.....

Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2008-10-09 10:29:31 UTC

That means congratulations goes to.... Sarah-Jo!! Whoo hoo Sarah-Jo, please forward your postal address to me and I'll get the brown Mountain Flowers fabric in the mail to you asap!

Thanks to everyone for all your hilarious and creative answers. I have to say, I'm still not convinced that I like brown devotedly. But I'm super happy that this fabric is going to a happy home. :)

And because I can't bear to post without a photo here is a photo of a cutie I know wearing a Silly Gilly summer hat. Available in the Silly Gilly store now! I'm working hard to get more summer hats into the store over the next few weeks. And also coming soon are some size 1 & 2 ultra groovy little appliqued kids t-shirts. Stay tuned.....

I've fallen off the wagon & I wasn't even drinking beer!

Okay, so I've fallen just a little off the Blogtoberfest wagon, but I've been hanging off the back of the wagon, just trailing in the dust a little and now I'm climbing back on. Enough of the analogies....

A few of you expressed some delight upon seeing this floral fabric I showed in my last post. I bought it at an op shop a few months ago, sensing some possibility in it, willing myself to really like it.

It hasn't happened. It's just too seventies for me. I'm a 50's and 60's gal.

So of course, what do you do with fabric that you know others covet and you don't really want?
You have a giveaway, that's what you do!! The fabric measures 133cm long x 118cm wide and is a heavier weight decorator fabric. Perfect condition. Just so very brown!!

Leave a comment finishing this line:
In the seventies brown was fabulous because....

I'll draw the winner with a completely autonomous random number generator 9pm Adelaide time Thursday night.

Good luck and may the brownness be with you.... (oh that sounds so very wrong)

The correct attire...

Apparently there is a certain outfit that you need to wear when you are doing the dishes... "in case the water wants to jump" according to my 2.5yr old. Sorry for the photo but I couldn't help but giggle when I saw this...


And of course this morning I consulted the oh-so-mysterious random number generator and.....



Drum Roll.......

Oh the suspense!!!........................ (can't you tell I lurve a bit of drama)





Congratulations must go to Ravenhill!! Come on down!! (aussie in-joke there relating to a tv game show). Please email me your postal address and the four vintage sewing patterns will be winging their way as soon as they can.

Ravenhill lives all the way over in Norway and has a wonderful blog which showcases her fabulous stitching, her current interest in babushkas and a stupendously cute little gal named Lily. Ravenhill (sorry, can't find your 'real' name anywhere!) left a great comment after my request for apron display techniques... lol... and if the weather goes to plan, you'll see some new ideas and photos soon.

Thankyou all for your wonderful and creative ideas. I plan to put them to crafty use in the next week. I'll keep you updated.

Don't forget, vintage pattern giveaway ends tonight!

Yes, you have until 9pm Adelaide time tonight to get your reply in here to be in the running for four vintage children's sewing patterns.

And here is a sneak peek at the late 50's pattern I am using to (shock horror) make something for myself!

Busy bee getting ready for the Hunt!!

I've been busy this week getting organised for the upcoming Great Down Under Nappy Hunt, which starts tomorrow, 1st September. I'm one of the sponsors of the hunt and have provided the library bag shown below as a prize which is in the Grand Prize #1 draw.

The hunt is a great opportunity to win some fabulous prizes, not only cloth nappies but other things like bags ala Silly Gilly, shoes, toys, children's clothing, all delicious!! Click on the button below and you'll be able to find out all about registering for the hunt. The general gist is that you hunt through a list of online stores looking for a particular icon at each store. As you wind your way through the list, you also get to see some amazing stores and products along the way.

I've also been sewing up a storm to get my Silly Gilly store full of lurvely things for the hunters to see. Have a look at these two new smocks I've popped on today. Rain Dance, a gorgeous print with little kids in kimonos. Also, Paper Doll Princess, a retro inspired print featuring paper dolls clothes that you might remember playing with.

A wonderful parcel arrived this week too, but I'm yet to take a photo, so that shall be tomorrows post. And my other goal for tomorrow is to show you a sneak peek of my completed Doll Quilt Swap that will be wending its way to a suburb near you (well actually only to someone who hasn't received one yet.... ). Love this secret squirrel business!

And if you've read this far, a little reward.... I've been sorting my vintage childrens sewing patterns and am getting ready for a giveaway next week!! Stay tuned!!

Blatant 'Read My Blog' First Giveaway!!

Ok folks, so how am I going to get you kids to read my blog and come back for more vintagey, op shoppy, Silly Gilly goodness? Give you some free stuff of course!

In my latest rampaging op shop expedition, I came across some scrumptious boys vintage sewing patterns. In my travels, when I find vintage patterns, they are most always girls patterns. Well, lucky readers, I found three great boys outfits that I have no use for myself, but would love another vintage pattern lover to enjoy.

First up we have Style pattern for three boys jackets, size 4, dated 1969.

Second, we have McCalls pattern for Boys' Proportioned Pants, size 6, dated 1962. (This is a cracker as the three proportions include 'Husky' LOL. 'Why yes sir my son is husky'... LOL

Thirdly, we have Simplicity pattern for Boys' Shirt & Pants in two lengths, size 4, date unsure possibly pre 1965?

All patterns have their instructions and a little wear and tear to the packaging given their ages. Make the little man in your life look squeaky clean in retro fashion!!

If you would like to be the grand winner for this pack, please leave a comment below. Tell your friends too! The winner will be drawn by random name selector, aka my kidlet, on the eve of Tuesday 10th June. Good luck and happy sewing!!