U-Handbag Crafty Clearout Giveaway #1

Awwwwwww!! Thank you everybody for your lovely comments about my book and for welcoming me back to the crafty fold. And thank you to everyone who has purchased or wish-listed my book.  I'm touched that you trust me enough to go ahead and spend your bucks on some of my writing :)

  This is for you; a big fat virtual 'squhuggle' (a squeeze, a hug, and a cuddle all rolled into one).

Sorry I couldn't reply to all of your comments, but for what it's worth I read every single comment that you lovely folks leave for me - always have, always will.

There were a few questions from your comments that I can answer here:

• What's the publication date?  September 2010
• Can I use that author photo for the blog? Yep, I sure will use one of the  fancy pants piccies when I know which one my publisher will use on the book cover.
• Will I be doing book signings?  It's very likely that I will (oooh!!!) My publisher is going to try and have some advance copies ready for the Festival of Quilts in Aug. If my publisher manages it, I will be book signing on the same stand as Amy Butler (The Cotton Patch stand). Fingers crossed! It would be ace to see ya!  I'll keep you posted.
• For the step by step photography were there several bags already made in varying stages or did you have to make each bag from scratch and photo them as I went along? I made one of each bag.  I wanted the instruction shots to be close-up detailed shots (you don't get to see a wide view). This meant I could (to a point) make up various different parts of a given bag for the various shots without necessarily having to complete the bag. That said, I did have to do a fair amount of sewing, but Jack was very patient so I didn't get (too) stressed about having to make him wait in-between shots.  As I mentioned in my last post, a lot of thought can go into creating an instruction shot.  It has to look attractive, be well lit, but importantly it must illustrate what you want it to say in a quick and impactful way (that made me sound ever so nerdy).
• Will I be selling signed copies in my shop?  Thanks for asking!  Yep I sure will.  All copies sold from U-Handbag will include a friendly paw-print from me.  But you still might want to pop into Amazon because it will cost less (they buy books by the truck-load so they can get hoooge discounts whereas I can't to the same level). 
• A baby quilt?  Yes Linda, you're right.  I will have to get on with making a baby quilt - at some point soon (but not just yet!)

So now book writing is finished the publisher is busy putting the book together by amalgamating the photos with the text.  I will then have to begin editing the whole thing at the end of this month.  That leaves me with a little bit of a breather to get on with life things and shop things. It goes without saying my in-box has big fangs and my stock room over-floweth.  You know how I am moving house this summer? (she says that with such certainly even though she hasn't started house hunting yet - EEEKKK!!!)  Well, I have to clear out loads of my crafty gumpfh to help  lighten the load.  To be honest I'd much rather do some sewing than answer emails and clear out my office. I have mad urges to sew my first quilt and sew some summer dresses.  But duty calls. Phoooooey! 

I will having a good few of these crafty clear out giveaways over the next few months until I can see the floor of my stock room again... I couldn't think of a better home for it all to go to - yours! 

  My 1st crafty clear out consists of: 3 Sewing World Mags (one of them current. I'm not in any of these). They are a mine of sewing information with full-sized patterns too; 1 Quick & Crafty mag with a sequins & glitter pack; 1 Artist's Cafe Iss 1 by Somerset Studio; a yummy pair of metal 3D floral ring handles (perfect for weddings), a small sew-in purse frame and a piece of my very fave type of fusible interfacing. Phew that's enough to keep anyone anyone busy for while!

Contest Details (please read carefully)

I'll send the all of the crafty gear in the picture to one winner.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Telling us what you really fancy making/learning craft-wise this year. 
• Only one entry per person please.
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. We'll randomly draw the winner in 5 days time - 24th March and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck!
   
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
   
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)