Whimsy Couture Pattern Review and Giveaway

(giveaway closed:  comments deleted to protect commenters’ email addresses)

I was asked if I wanted to review a pattern of my choice from Whimsy Couture.  I’ve been wanting to make Poppy a jacket, so I thought the Hooded Jacket pattern for Boys or Girls (Reversible) was a great option. 

You are sent the pattern via email, which is very convenient.  The pattern and instructions were clear.  I love that it is reversible, though I didn’t have enough buttons the same size to make it so just yet.  I used a thick knit and a thinner knit for my jacket and it worked out just fine.  I believe the pattern recommends cotton for one side, and fleece for the other, but the knit worked great.  I think it helps that the turquoise knit was so thick. 

The jacket came together quickly after cutting the fabric out.  The only items I would change is to maybe taper the jacket out a bit so it isn’t so snug around the bottom (it has to fit around those cute toddler bellies!), and I’d make the hood smaller.  I’d also do a better job at placing my buttons, but that was entirely up to me and not by fault of the pattern!

I love how you can see the inside fabric on the hood, and by folding the cuffs. 

And of course we have to see if it pleases the most important critic… 

Yep, she loves it.  It’s been a while since I’ve sewn anything for my kids other than smaller things, so it was fun to make time for that again!

 

Whimsy Couture has SO MANY cute patterns!  Some that stick out to me are:

The Apron Twirl Peasant Dress

 

The Over Top/Dress (the apron part, not the entire thing)

or the Criss Cross Tunic

Lots and lots of great patterns. 

WANT A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR CHOICE OF A THREE PATTERN BUNDLE (WORTH $20.00) FROM WHIMSY COUTURE?

To enter, you must “like” Whimsy Couture on their facebook page, then leave a comment letting me know you did that, along with your thoughts on what pattern(s) you like.  Please leave an email address where I can contact you if you win. 

Giveaway runs through Friday, May 11th, at 5:00 pm MST.  Good luck! 

*You can also enter the code SAVE50 to receive 50% off your purchase in their PATTERN SHOP.  Yay!

Two Giveaways: My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software AND Cutting Edge Stencils

I’m so sorry if you are tired of giveaways!  I just can’t pass up these opportunities as it might help some of you out for Christmas time! 

Ok, so here’s what we have today!

First giveaway: 

Our first giveaway is a fun one. It’s from My Memories and it’s digital scrapbooking software. Now before you say, “But I don’t scrapbook…” stop right there! This is not software only for scrapbookers! You can also make photo books, cards, videos, and more!

Want to know the best part?  I get to give you a coupon code that provides a $10 discount on the purchase of the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software (version 2) from My Memories. The software also comes with a $10 coupon for downloads-a total value of $20! 

Just use this code:  STMMMS88234.  Awesome, right? 

But back to the giveaway!  One of you will win the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software!  Click HERE to enter!

 

Second Giveaway:

We’ve also got a stencil giveaway from Cutting Edge Stencils. You’ll get your choice of any one stencil up to a $50.00 value. Um, yes please! Check out the amazing things you can do with these stencils! From all over wall designs…

…to wall art. And lots more to choose from!

I think their stencils are GREAT! They offered me one to try out, but since we’ll be building in the next year (yes yes, we’ll all believe it when we see it) I will be waiting on that and hopefully try it out in my future craft room there. Can’t wait to try one then!

Click HERE to enter the Cutting Edge Stencils giveaway for a stencil of up to a $50.00 value, plus FREE SHIPPING. Yahoo!

Shortcake Reversible Romper & Dress: Pattern Giveaway from The Cottage Home

I’m excited to be part of The Cottage Home blog tour in honor of her newest patterns! 

As the title says, this was made using Lindsay’s pattern (The Cottage Home) that just came out.  It’s called the Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress.  I obviously chose the romper and I made it a size 4T,  just in case, so it would fit her next summer.  Since B just turned 3 in September, I think it would have been better to make the 3T.  But now it will just be worn for a lot longer!

The pattern was very professionally made and so easy to understand!  Lindsay did a great job on it!  I love that there are no exposed seams since it is reversible. I also loved that there are great pictures to go along with each step—don’t we all wish the store-bought patterns would do the same?!

So you know those photo shoots that don’t go very well? This was definitely one of them, but it could have to do with the fact that it was FAH-REEEEEZING while taking these. So even with the layers under this great reversible romper pattern, B acted like she was frozen in time. She would barely budge and would only take tiny teeny weeny baby steps when I asked her to do something different. It was kind of funny actually, but I’m sorry for the lack of better pictures!  But that’s also why you don’t see the reversed side—I just couldn’t put B through taking it off of her and reversing it in such cold weather!  But you can see what fabric I used in the first picture on the shoulder tie.

Sheesh… the girl looks in pain.  At least she tried to humor me with a grimace smile.

Interested in winning your very own Shortcake Reversible Romper and Dress Pattern?  There will be two winners!  Click HERE to enter.

 

And if you want to increase your chances of winning, here are the other bloggers hosting giveaways on their blogs.

The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns ~ Blog Tour Schedule:

November 8^th – The Cottage Home

November 9^th – Craftiness is not Optional

November 10^th– A Lemon Squeezy Home

November 11^th– No Big Dill

November 12^th – Kojo Designs

November 14^th – Aesthetic Nest

November 15^th – Girl.Inspired

November 16^th – Noodlehead

November 17^th – The Cottage Home

Bounce Dryer Bar Review and Giveaway

Laundry is one of those chores that just has to be done, over and over. You can get the entire household of dirty laundry cleaned one day, only to have basketfuls of laundry after everyone gets ready for bed that night. 

It’s easy to throw clothes in the washing machine (thank goodness for washing machines and dryers, right?), and I don’t even mind folding them that much, but what helps me while folding laundry is how the clothes smell. Sometimes I end up buying cheaper detergent, only to find that when I fold the clothes, they don’t even smell nice! Other times our clothes are stiff and seem to dry out my hands instantly while I fold them. Soft clothing is much more enjoyable to fold. I have not had either soft or good smelling clothes the last couple of months, in trying to get rid of the cheaper detergent I am using. Enter the Bounce Dryer Bar. This is such a great idea!

I opened the package and the smell was so fresh and clean. B even loved the smell.

I instantly put a load of clothes in the wash to try out the Bounce Dryer Bar. While my clothes washed, I followed the directions on the package and installed the bar in my dryer. So simple to install.

Here are some claims of the bar:

-With the Bounce Dryer Bar, it’s automatic -- just stick it and forget it!

-Months of automatic freshness, softness and static-control

I agree with it all! The smell is fresh. After my clothes ran through the dryer, they smelled really good—and not too overpowering either. Here are my kiddos smelling their blankets. They all commented that they loved the smell and how soft their blankies were.

My husband’s work pants are always so stiff, and they were soft! I didn’t have anything sticking together either like I normally do, so it definitely controls static.

I love that it lasts for about 3 months. That is 3 months of completely forgetting I even have something in my dryer doing wonders to my laundry with no effort on my part. In fact, I did another load of laundry and was pleasantly surprised while folding when I realized that the bar had made my clothes soft and fresh smelling, because I had forgotten about it!

The Bounce Dryer Bar is convenient, and it really does live up to its claims. I’m sold. To learn more about the Bounce Dryer Bar, click HERE to be directed to Bounce's page on Facebook.

Want to win your own Bounce Dryer Bar and a $50 gift card from Bounce and BlogHer? Here’s how. Answer this question: What is your least favorite thing about doing laundry?

Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Last day to enter is Tuesday, 12/6 at 5:00 P.M. PST.

For more opportunities to win, visit the Bounce round-up page on BlogHer.com to read other bloggers' reviews!

Shutterfly Greeting/Holiday Cards Giveaway: 3 winners!

I’ve used Shutterfly for some past photo book projects and have loved them.  When my kids turn two, I make them a book that tells all about what they were like at that age.  My kids really love reading theirs and it has been a fun way to remember the way they were when they were discovering the world around them.  I’ve also used Shutterfly to make a couple books for Grandparents, which as we all know, Grandparents love to have pictures of their grandkids around! 

Shutterfly has some AMAZING Christmas cards and stationary!  I spent at least 20 minutes browsing through, debating on which cards I would order.   They have a wonderful selection and a huge variety of styles. 

I know it’s a couple months away, but why not get your Christmas cards made and get something crossed off your ever-growing to-do list?

Three of you will win 25 free cards from Shutterfly.  I will send each winner a code that you’ll use during check-out. 

Christmas is an expensive time of year, so this is a great opportunity to save some money!  Can you tell I’m loving the turquoise and red ones? 

To enter the giveaway and see even more of their great cards, click HERE.  Giveaway runs through Friday October 28th 11:59 MST.  Leave a way to contact you, please! 

New Sponsor and Giveaway: Hadley Grace Designs

I am pleased to welcome a new sponsor, Hadley Grace Designs.   Stacey has a whole lot of patterns in her shop that are oh so cute!  I love the Janie Curved Skirt pattern the most, I think.  So very adorable!  (They are also on facebook).

Want to win a pattern to her shop?  There will be 3 winners—each one will get a pattern of their choice.  Click HERE to learn more and enter the giveaway.  Giveaway will run through Friday, October 14th, 11:59 pm MST.  Good luck! 

Purse Week Giveaway!

I am so excited to show you our giveaway for Purse Week.  When Stacie from jame asked if I would be interested in giving away this amazing bag, I jumped at the chance.  Isn’t it great!?


Seriously, it’s so creative—I absolutely love this bag!  And not only do you have a chance to win the actual bag, but there will also be FIVE winners of her PDF pattern for this bag, over at her blog.  Click HERE to enter the giveaway for the PDF pattern on jame. 

To enter to win the over.the.shoulder bag, click HERE.  Giveaway will run through Friday, September 30th, 11:59 pm MST. 

New Sponsor and Giveaway: Ryah Sofia

I am so excited to introduce you to my newest sponsor, Ryah Sofia.  Angie has been my friend for years and years and I’m privileged to have her as my sponsor.  Her business is amazing with such beautiful, unique, handmade items!

Need a beautiful hair accessory for some special gals?  kelly gorney photography 

What about newborn pictures?  UrbanAlli Photography

Aren’t those flower clips the perfect way to compliment the beautiful photography?  I love them!

Ready to learn even more about Ryah Sofia and enter a GIVEAWAY to win $25.00 towards this amazing shop?  Click HERE! 

Accuquilt Go! Baby Cutter: GIVEAWAY!

As you’ve now witnessed on this here blog with THIS post, the Accuquilt Go! Baby Cutter is amazingly easy to use.  And it’s your lucky day!  One of you will win this baby!

Not only will you win the machine, but you get your choice of 3 dies.  There are so many great ones to choose from! 

Giveaway will run now until Friday, September 2nd, 11:59 PM. 

To enter, click HERE. 

New Sponsor and Giveaway: From the Red Kitchen

Handmade buttons?  Can it get any cuter?  What a special touch this will add to your sewing projects!  Katie is giving one of you a $10.00 certificate towards a purchase from her shop, From the Red Kitchen.  I have some and can’t wait to show you what I’m sewing them on!  She’s also offering A Lemon Squeezy Home readers FREE SHIPPING this week, good until August 20th at midnight.  Just use the code LEMON while checking out! 

Click HERE to enter the giveaway and see more pictures of Katie’s cute shop!

New Sponsor and Giveaway: Lily Bella Fabrics

You are going to love my newest sponsor and giveaway from Lily Bella Fabrics.  This Etsy shop is very up-to-date with the latest fabrics and patterns from top designers!  Christy is offering you readers a $20.00 gift card to Lily Bella Fabrics! 

Lily Bella Fabrics also has a blog HERE, and can be found on facebook and ebay. 

Click HERE to enter the giveaway and find out more about this wonderful shop!  Giveaway ends Friday, August 12th at 5:00 pm, MST.

New Sponsor and Giveaway: Raspberry Creek Fabrics

People, you don’t want to miss this giveaway from one of my newest sponsors, Raspberry Creek Fabrics and Trims!  Diana has graciously offered one lucky reader 4 yards of fabric!

Click HERE to read more about this great Etsy shop and enter to win 4 yards of fabric!

New Sponsor and Giveaway: The Zipper Store

Did you know A Lemon Squeezy Home is now accepting sponsors?  Click HERE if you are interested. 

The Zipper Store has amazing deals on zippers—I mean seriously great deals.  And since a lot of you reading my blog sew, I knew you’d like to know about The Zipper Store on Etsy! 

These zippers below?  Ten 8” zippers for $6.00 shipped!  That’s a great deal, as many of you know! 

Giuseppe is the owner and is offering a $15.00 credit towards his shop!

Click HERE and enter to win.  International entries are welcome :). 

Pattern Giveaway: Lilac Lane

Melissa Stramel from Lilac Lane has just released two exciting and fun patterns.  Here’s a little bit about Melissa, if you don’t know her yet:

“In 2009 and 2010, Melissa designed patterns for the Moda Bake Shop and Riley Blake's Cutting Corners. Then in the spring of 2010, Melissa was inspired by her young daughters to try something new. She began designing fabrics to fill a void she saw in the industry. She wanted something beautiful and yet fun which could be enjoyed by women of all ages. Thus, her first line, HoneySweet was born, a culmination of childhood memories and her love of flower gardening. Another driving factor for this collection was a desire to make something unique, lovely and fun.  Melissa's fabrics are produced by Fine Lines fabrics and her patterns by QuiltWoman.com.” 

She designs fabric!  So cool!  And she’s a very sweet person, so be sure to check out her blog! 

One of you lucky readers will win both patterns!   

The Joy Bag:

AND you’ll also win…

The Bountiful Bag:

Click HERE to enter the giveaway! 

Impressions in Vinyl Giveaway and Discount Code

 

Impressions in Vinyl has a great variety of items!  You don’t have to own a Cricut or Silhouette Machine to enter the giveaway, as they have a lot of items already made for purchase. 

If you do have a machine that cuts vinyl, Impressions in Vinyl also carries vinyl for DIY projects.   Here’s what I did with my vinyl:

Click HERE to enter the giveaway and get the discount code!

Pepperberry Accessories Winner

Congratulations to Carrie, who said, “I like funky girl!” (number 35 won, but my comments aren’t numbered so if you want to check, you’ll have to count like me.  I really need to figure that out!)

I’ll get the two of you in contact so you can get your shop credit, Carrie!  Thanks for the fun giveaway, Heidi!  You make adorable items in your shop.  Be sure to check her out if you didn’t have a chance to yet!

Pepperberry Accessories Giveaway

Heidi from Pepperberry Accessories is offering a $15.00 credit to her etsy shop to one lucky reader! 

She makes adorable headbands, hats, and clips.  The Girls Night Out is my favorite:

 

Click HERE to enter the giveaway, which will run until Friday, January 7th at 6:00 pm MST.

Giveaway from Sew Grown

Remember during belt week, Steffanie from Sew Grown made this adorable belt that won 2nd place?  And remember how she made it out of an Anthropologie placemat? 

Well, she made this adorable clutch out of the remainder of that placemat, and contacted me to offer it as a giveaway for you lucky people.

Click HERE to enter!