Tuesday, March 6, 2012

BLOG ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY WINNER

One year ago I was visiting with my sisters and one morning Marlene sat down with me and helped me set up my blog. I needed a picture for my avatar so we used one from an e-mail I'd sent to show them my paper mache Santa figures. I wasn't even sure I wanted to blog because at the time I knew nothing about blogging. The only blogs I'd visited were by sisters' and then only when they called me and said they had just posted and I should go see what they'd just made. I told Marlene that I was sure no one would be interested in what I was making and I was certain the only followers would be her and Maggie. I was so wrong about everything back then and I'm here to tell you that it's been a fantastic first year. I've made so many wonderful new friends. Thank you all for being so supportive and caring. You make this old lady feel like a million bucks. Do people even say things like that? So in honor of this momentous occasion I'm going to share a few things about myself with you.

Little known facts or Maddy trivia: 

March is a month full of anniversaries for me. March 3rd was the anniversary of the day I was discharged from the US Air Force. Yes, I'm a veteran; bet you didn't know that.  I studied to be a missile systems analist at Chanute AFB but ended up being assigned to security police and law inforcement because no other female made it through the program and they couldn't have me sharing sleeping quarters with a male partner when we were sent out in the field. That's how it goes some times. You study to do one thing and end up doing something you've not been trained for. Can you imagine me being a cop?  

I would be celebrating a wedding anniversary on March 5th or March 19th if I'd stayed married. No, I wasn't married twice to the same man. On March 20th, 10 years and one day later I was divorced from hubby number one.



When I made the doll for this giveaway it triggered a time of experimentation with patterns and stitching. I worked on shamrocks and made a leprechaun and none of those experiments were worth writing home about. So much for my St. Paddy's Day decorations. Maybe in a weak moment I might show you the results of some of those experiments but not today. Instead I'm going to show you some of my favorite things.



This is my White Rotary sewing machine. It runs on foot power. No electric equals no light, so I have to have a lamp nearby. The user manual is in the top left drawer and the top right drawer has bobbin storage that I should have photographed. I have another treadle machine, it's a Singer and is quite lovely but it's sitting in a spot where, at the moment I can't get at it to open it up. I've had several treadle machines over the years but am down to just the two.




These are some of the things that I've been working on. I've had the Bunny Hop on the brain all week. I've finished about 20 bunnies in various poses and fabrics. The ones you see here are made from OOAK fabric that I painted 16 years ago. I made the fabric for some pillows and padded picture frames and never could figure what to do with the leftovers until now.




Here are some that I've made for a special friend.



I couldn't resist showing you what I use for a pin cushion. With all of the marvelous pin keeps out there you'd think I'd want to trade up. Well, I'm attached to this plain old thing. I made it when I was 18 years old and had just started a new job working in a tailor shop. It's stuffed with layers of wool worsted cut from mens' suiting fabrics used in the shop. Sitting on top is one of my thimbles. I use a tailor's thimble which has an open end. Unlike the thimbles that most of you use, this is meant to protect just the side of the finger not the end of it.

And now that you are all going, "Enough is enough already... when are you getting to the reason we're here?"  I'll stop running my mouth off, or in this instance typing and tell you who the winner of my lovely Miss Kanin is.


There were 32 entries in the giveaway so chances of winning were pretty darn good. Imagine if there had been hundreds or even thousands...yes, your chances of winning were very good. I know that in the past I've employed some very creative or at least amusing ways of picking the winner in my giveaways. You have to remember the blind folded knife throwing, right? Maybe some of you remember Ginger, my little red headed witch who stirred her caldron and conjured up the winner of another giveaway. Well, this time I'm doing something completely different. I numbered pieces of paper to correspond to the list below and put them in a bag and had my son reach in and pull one out. Simple but effective.

And the winner is.........(insert drum roll here).....


Number 5, Prudence from the Bear's Blog.


1.   Ria Vogel
2.   Katy Cameron
3.   Jan Conwell
4.   Izdiher
5.   Prudence - the Bear's Blog
6.   Lisa - LLA Creations
7.   Pam - Yoborobo
8.   Ascension
9.   Julie
10.  Laura - Cobblestone Creations
11.  Linda in New Mexico
12.  Erin Tame Designs
13.  ArtSings 1946
14.  Mina
15.  Ann
16.  Lois - Huckleberry Lady
17.  Crafty Stitchers
18.  Kay - Kay's Kids
19.  Lisa
20.  Jan Laughing Dog Arts
21.  Colleen - Colleen's Craft Shed
22.  Mona - Wsprsweetly Cottages
23.  Iris - Boo-Bah AKA Iris
24.  Lisa Stubbs
25.  Miyako - Orchid's Daily Voice
26.  Mary - Colony Mountain
27.  Raggedy Creations
28.  Pea
29.  Bird
30.  Christel Hutson
31.  Lavender Dreams
32.  Maggie - Off My Rocker

Congratulations Prudence. You asked if a bear could enter the giveaway, and not only can she enter, she can even win it. You should see how excited Bellamine was when she found out your entry was chosen.

Okay, now this is such a coincedence! If you look you'll see that this is also my 100th post and that must be celebrated too. 

I'm having my son reach in the bag and select another number for another winner.

The second winner is.....(you know the drill, insert drum roll)......

20.  Jan Laughing Dog Arts

I wish all of you could have won. I know everybody says that but I really do mean it.

Thanks again for making my first year of blogging such a wonderful time for me. Thank you for your encouragement and friendship and for being such a lovely bunch of people.

Prudence and Jan, please e-mail me your mailing addresses. I will be sending your prizes out within the next few days.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,
Maddy

21 comments:

yoborobo said...

Maddy - I was SOOOOO close - hahahah! I love seeing your bunnies, and your sewing machine. My mom had one like that when I was little (it was her grandma's). It was the first sewing machine I ever used. I wish I still had it! Congrats to the winners and happy Blogversary - xox Pam

The Bear's Blog said...

Oh, Miss Maddyrose,

I am so excited - thank you. When Mom called me to come over and read your post we had no idea that I had won. We sat here at the "puter" and just stared at the screen. We are so excited, and can't wait to see our little precious bunny in person.

We love your sewing machine(s), I guess in the North Pole your power goes off because of all the big snow storms. At least you can sew by candlelight (giggle).

Maybe Bellamine & Wendy will sneak in the packing box - (o:

Big hugs, and thank you.

Prudence

The Bear's Blog said...

Congratulations Jan. I know you are as excited as we are.

Hugs

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Maddy,
Big Congratulations on your two winners♬♬♬ Oh, how lucky they are!!!

And thank you very much sharing your "Maddy trivia". It always is a pleasure for us to know you better, my dear friend.
I might have said it before, but your sewing machine really is nostalgic for me, reminding me of my mother making me some of my clothes when I was little.

Again, happy for your 2 friends who won ♪♪♪

Love you always from east, xoxo Miyako*

Jan Conwell said...

Thank you for serving. As a military wife & mother (three of four kids) and a prior AF instructor myself, I know what that life is about and appreciate any and all who serve.

LOVE the treadle sewing machine. I'd love to have one and actually use it.

Ascension said...

Enhorabuena a las ganadoras y muchas gracias a ti por darnos la oportunidad.
besitos ascension

Katy Cameron said...

There, see, I always knew you were a fascinating person, and we've learned more about you today :o)

Congrats to Prudence and Jan!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Congratulations to Prudence and to the lovely Ms. Jan. Lucky ones all. I envy you your treadle. Had my grandmothers but way back when....needed to pay the rent and traded it to the landlord. Yours is lovely and obviously in good working order.
And why yes I can see you being a cop......well at least riot control, tee hee.
xoxo Oma Linda
Congrats to you as well for joining the craziness of the blogosphere.

Jan said...

I am so excited to have won! Thanks in advance, Miss Maddy! I will give this gift a special place in my home. Isn't blogging a wonderful community? I can hardly believe the great friendships I have made through blogs and I was like you in the beginning. Who would want to look at my blog? I was so surprised when strangers (now my friends) began showing up and leaving such kind comments.

Fun learning these new facts about you. What an interesting life you have lead and continue to lead. You do all your machine stitching on the treadle, eh? I have two of them myself, if I had more space I would keep one set up to use but I don't. It is there for an emergency but I do love my electric machines.

Thanks so much to your sisters for encouraging you to start your blog. It is always so much fun to stop in and look and read your amusing posts, see your amazing creations. Tell your son thanks for picking my name out;-)

Maggie said...

Congrats to Prudence and Jan! I know that you'll love your prizes, Maddy is a great seamstress.
And Congrats on your 100th posting, Maddy.
Hugs

Carole Burant said...

Well, if I couldn't win I'm so happy that it's Prudence who did! hehe Congratulations to both Prudence and Jan:-)

I had the same thoughts when I first started blogging, about no one being interested in what I had to say...look at us now:-) Blogging is an amazing thing and the friendships made through it are priceless. I so enjoyed learning more about you! Also loved seeing where the magic happens, where you make your delightful critters:-) xoxo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the drum roll! Congrats to your winners! I know they are thrilled! That Prudence is so spoiled...but in a good way! heehee! Thanks for the fun and enjoy lots of happy blogging...and creativity! ♥♥♥

Ann said...

congratulations to the winners!!
my mother used a tailors thimble!!

Cobblestone Creations said...

I always enjoy my visits here ~ and so nice to learn new things about you. It amazes me how many of us still have the old sewing machines. I must confess to not really using mine ~ they just serve as tables around the house. :O

Congratulations to the winners!!!!

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Dear Maddy:
What a lovely rabbit you offered in the giveaway. Thanks for having it.
Congratulations to Prudence and Jan.
Prudence wants a bunny of her own so much and look! she has one.
Hugs,
Susan

Kays Kids said...

Hi Maddy, I loved your post and learn't more about you which is all good. The bunnies you are making look so good. I learnt to sew on a treadle
sewing machine I wish I had it now.
Congratulations to Prudence and Jan I'm sure they will treasure your give away.
Hugs
Kay

Hill Top Post said...

Enjoyed your 100th post, just like always! I have my grandmothers old White treadle machine, which is a vibrating shuttle. If I had room, I would have more. Adore your giveaway bunny - congrats to lucky winners!

Lois--Huckleberry Lady said...

Congrats to the winners.

Congrats to you for your blogaversary!!!! Glad I got to know you and learn more about you!!!
I remember my grandmother's treadle sewing machine. My cousin has it now.

Lois

Christel said...

Congratulations Prudence, and Jan! Maddys delightful gifts are sure to bring many smiles, for years to come! Maddy..you've come a long way baby! This old gal is also amazed at how many wonderful friends I have made through my blog..so glad you are one of them! Bunny hugs..tehee xoxox Christel

Anonymous said...

Sending a huge congratulations to Prudence and Jan! Lucky, lucky ladies.

Maddy, it as been such a pleasure and a privilege to have met you in this blogging world and I am so glad you decided to give it a go...happy 1 year anniversary and 200 posts!

Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and giving us a peek into Maddy. I love your sewing machine. WOW! It is amazing, as is that adorable pin cushion you made when you were 18. Your bunnies are too sweet! You are just a well of creativity, my dear friend. Hugs to you always.

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

I absolutely love the old sewing machine! Love all your bunnies too.

Happy Blogversary !!

Hugs
Iris