Friday, February 26, 2010

Sew and Tell - and a giveaway!

Well, this is my 50th post! I've decided to celebrate by having a little giveaway. Make sure you scroll down for the details.

But first, I have to share my finishes from this week for Sew and Tell!

I have two finished projects this week. The first one is something totally hilarious. Get ready for this...I sewed 6 chicken saddles. Yes, you heard right, chicken saddles!

My sister has a bunch of chickens, and some of them were getting a little torn up on their backs from the roosters jumping on them and scratching them up with their claws. In order to protect the chickens' backs, you can make (or buy) these little chicken saddles! See here for an example!

So my sister bought a few of these saddles for her chickens, and then asked if I could make some more for her.  So we headed to Joann's, she bought the fabric and all the necessary notions, and I've been sewing them for her.  This week I finished 6, bringing my lifetime total to 10 chicken saddles. ;)

Here's what one looks like (it's just missing the snaps that attach the straps under their wings).

And here's a picture of one of her chickens wearing one, you can just see it:


Isn't that hilarious?

My next finish this week was to finally make a carrying case for my Nook!

I used this tutorial at the Moda Bake Shop for the basic dimensions and directions as to how to make it, although I didn't do the strips and applique as they set it out.  I used only scraps left over from making the Perfect 10 quilt top.  I also took this opportunity to finally try out free motion quilting! I stippled my little cover, and after a couple of rough starts, and lots of unpicking and retrying, I finally managed to conquer it!  My stippling isn't great, but it's halfway decent! I'm so proud of myself! Check it out!




I completely machine stitched the binding, and so that part didn't come out the greatest, but I still think it looks cute.  I needed a cover to protect the Nook, and I now have one that is super cute, plus I got to learn some new skills while doing it.  What's better than that.

Okay, now on to the giveaway!

In honor of this being my 50th post, and to celebrate the recent completion (and successful gifting--they loved it!) of my Pinwheel Baby Quilt, I am giving away a set of supplies to a lucky reader so that you can make your very own version!

Included is one Wee Play charm pack, as well as the remaining ruler and green numbers fabric that was left after I finished my quilt (about 5/8 yd of the green numbers and 2/3 yd of the rulers).



Just add in your own white cotton and you should have what you need to make the quilt top, binding, and a pieced backing with the leftovers of the two fabrics.

If you'd like to win, just leave me a comment below!  Also, you can get another entry, for a total of two, if you mention this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or if you just tell a friend! Just leave me another separate comment telling me you did so.  I will accept comments through Midnight Eastern time on Tuesday, March. 2.  After that, I will use the random number generator to choose a winner!  I'll ship anywhere, so anyone and everyone can enter.  Thanks to everyone for stopping by, and good luck!

Okay, phew! I think that might be my longest post ever!

32 comments:

Kimberly Tripp said...

what a hoot, that is hilarious!! and I thought dogs in sweaters were funny... chicken aprons, even better! Love the nook cover too. I've been wanting a nook/kindle/whatever. Not that I read a lot, I just want one. Well, I LOVE the wee play fabric, I'd LOVE to win :) Congrats on your 50th post!

Leslie said...

honestly i had to go back and read it again, because when i saw chicken saddle i thought for sure i had read it wrong. thank you for the giveaway, you are super generous!! congrats on all the posts

Anonymous said...

What a cute post - those chickens are absolutely strutting around in style.

Thanks for your your giveaway. :)

Mary said...

Congrats on your 50th post! I love your Nook case - your fabric choices were awesome! I have the bird fabric in black and white and I'm waiting for the perfect project to use it on.

rachandcarl said...

love those chicken saddles! definately one of the weirdest things i've ever heard sewn. thanks for the great giveaway

pinksuedeshoe said...

OK seriously? Those chicken saddles are HILARIOUS. I mean, I can see that they are useful and help the chicken out, but I can't get over the giggles over here! So great. I'd love to win your giveaway, I've been eyeing those fabrics for a long time now!

Karen said...

That is funny. I had never heard of a chicken saddle before. Great giveaway.

jlk said...

Chicken saddles? Totally hilarious! And cute, too. I love Wee Play -- sign me up!

Dee said...

I love learning something new every day and this one was well...it takes the cake!

Chicken saddles. I now have "Back in the Saddle Again" stuck in my head! Thank you very much! LOL

The birds are adorable!

Most unusual Friday Finish I've ever had the honor to see!

Day before Michelle said...

LOL! Love the chicken saddles..just too funny ;)

I think you did a great job on the nook cover.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

Those chicken "saddles" are too funny! I love the fabrics in your Nook cover and it is a good idea to keep it protected.

teaginny said...

Great giveaway!
The chicken saddle is the weirdest, funniest thing I've heard all week!

Jennylou's Projects said...

Never heard of a chicken saddle before, what a hoot! :)

Kristen said...

I see some of my fabric going towards a laptop cover with a little pocket on the side for the mouse. This is a fabulous idea. Wish I had a Kindle or Nook!:)

Michele said...

OK, so I love the fabric, and please enter me in the giveaway.

But. The chicken saddles are priceless! They kind of look like little chicken aprons, if they were worn the other way.

Nina... said...

50 posts!! I have a month or so to go to get to that number, congratulations. I love your projects, the little carrying case is lovely!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

I love those chicken saddles; how cute!
Please enter me into your giveaway too. Thanks!

QuiltyBee said...

Hmmm, I wonder if my dad's chickens need saddles? Never heard of that, but what a good sister you are. I bet you're the chickens' favorite auntie! Your nook holder is great--I love the lovebird fabric AND your choices to coordinate. Very cute giveaway--I would love to make a pinwheel quilt! Congratulations on your 50th!

trish said...

My sweet little hens would look cute in a saddle like that! :o)
Your little bird fabric is darling! Your projects are great!
Thank you for hosting such a nice give a way. :o)
Sincerely ~ Trish

amylouwhosews said...

I think those are going to be the best dressed chickens in town! Maybe I should make some for my sisinlaw who has chickens.

Love your cover! I made something similar for my GPS that I keep in my bag. It slid out once and I was lucky to get it back. Now it is safe and sound!

What a nice giveaway! Congrats on 50 and thanks for joining us at sew & tell!

Aunt Spicy said...

The Nook case is excellent! And I am such an American Jane fan, sign me up for the Wee Play!

By the way, love your blog, very fun!

Family said...

oohhhh.... I just love chickens and really wish I could have some (some day..) Love the fabric, thanks for a giveaway!!

Marcia said...

Chicken Saddles....my something new for the day today. I'd so love to win your giveaway. Thanks for setting one up. It is very generous of you.

Quiltpiecer said...

Chicken saddles! I've never heard of this, but then again I am a city girl ... just too funny! But poor little chickens with scratched backs ... I'm sure they appreciate their saddles! I'd love to be entered in your giveaway - so very generous!

Susan said...

This is my first time to visit your blog, and I must say I got the biggest laugh from the chicken saddles! LOL It looks funny, but I'm sure the chickens appreciate them. Cute, cute fabric you're giving away; I'd love to be entered!

em's scrapbag said...

Chicken saddles too funny. Ride 'em cowboy! You did a fine job with your machine quilting.

carol said...

Chicken saddles, funny. I love the ruler fabric. I tried to buy some today, but the quilt shop was out. They had used fabric in a cute little purse.

Anonymous said...

Oh those chicken sadles made me giggle :) Practical and pretty, what more can a chicken want!

Diane said...

Blogs are educational, but I never thought I would learn about chicken saddals. We had chickes when I was a child so I know exactly what you are talking about in regards to them getting all beat up, but it never occured to us to make them backwards aprons :)

Tellico said...

Hey Jennifer, Pat here from Mod guild. I love the chicken saddles. Just made one for my sister's chicken. I think she will be surprised that such a thing exists.
Love your blog.

bingo~bonnie said...

what cute fabrics you are parting with - someone is going to be a lucky winner! ;)

Your baby pinwheel quilt is soooo cute - love those prairie points for the inner border! Totally makes the quilt!

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

*krystyn* said...

Oh that Nook holder is absolutely adorable!!