1st Blogiversary and a Giveaway

Wow, I can hardly believe it, but it's one year ago today that I started this blog!

When I started blogging I really didn't have any idea what I was doing (and still don't mostly) or why I was doing it!  It's been an interesting and sometimes frustrating journey so far, but overall very enjoyable. 

I've met some lovely people, both virtually and in real life, taken part in several sew-a-longs and joined in some interesting discussions.

I can definitely say the quality of my sewing has improved this last year, I'm far more likely to spend time on the preparation and finishing than I was previously and I think that this shows in the quality of my finished items.

I've learnt new techniques ~ bound buttonholes for example ~ and also the "proper" way of doing things ~ this week I put in my first truly invisible zip. 

Here's a selection of things I've made this year that I'm particularly proud of.



Laurel dress, Vogue 8548 coat, Mother of the Groom outfit,
Simplicity 1652 dress, Cat sewn image, Ramona sweater

In order to celebrate my first blogiversary I've decided to have a little giveaway.   You've almost certainly seen my appliqued and embroidered pictures featured here over the last year, and I'd like to give one away to one of my lovely readers.

The sewn image I give away will be unframed, but mounted and ready to frame.  The reason I've decided to give an unframed picture is that I know I can safely post it anywhere in the world without a frame getting broken.  The picture itself will be up to 8 inches by 10 inches in size. 

All you have to do is comment below by Monday 1st July and tell me what you'd like a picture of. 

Giveaway is now closed, thanks to all who entered.

I'll then randomly pick one commenter and contact them for a bit more information.   Please leave your email address if it's going to be difficult for me to find your contact details easily.

Here are some examples of what I've done so far to give you some ideas, but you can choose what you like.


This giveaway is open to anyone, no matter where in the world you are located. 

All that remains for me to do is to say thank you to everyone who has read, commented, supported and suggested over the last year.  Your comments really do mean a lot to me.




33 comments

  1. Congrat's on the one-year-blogoversary! I am glad you have enjoyed the past 12 months and that you have learnt a heap of new things. Blogging is such a personal thing, and we all do it for different reasons. Your mother-of-the-groom outfit would have to be the most brilliant outfit - I take my hat off to you for creating this (your friend must have looked stunning wearing this). And I look forward to seeing what you do over the next 12 months...J

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    1. Thanks Judith. The Mother of the Groom outfit will be worn this Saturday, so I'm hoping to have some photos to share with you next week. It does look lovely on her!

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  2. Hi Sam - congratulations on your Blogiversary!
    As one of the people who has been lucky enough to meet you in real life I'm so pleased you started your blog. Your makes above beautifully illustrate your creativity and skill. Please don't put my name in the giveaway - I am already the proud owner of the fab sewing machine picture above. I know the lucky winner will be thrilled with whatever picture you make. Big hug x

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  3. Oh goodness - how generous! And, a whole year - congratulations :)
    Hmmm now, tea cups or knives and forks ... I think it has to be tea cups. I do hope I win! fingers crossed :)

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    1. Thank you. I can't believe its been a year.

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  4. Happy Blogiversary, Sam! Gosh I love that Simplicity 1652 dress - I hope you are getting some wear out of it!

    What a fun giveaway! If I won, I think I'd like a picture of something sewing-related to hang near my sewing things - but no idea really what exactly that would be!

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    1. I haven't worn the Simplicity 1652 dress yet, but planning on giving it it's first outing at my boss's leaving lunch on Friday. I've got a post prepared on it too - it took quite a bit of fitting!

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  5. Happy Blogiversary!! I'm fascinated by your sewn images and think they are adorable. I'd love to hang a sewing themed picture in my sewing room. :)

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  6. Ahhh yes!! I love your embroidered work so much! I love the hot air balloon and the cupcake, too. Actually, I love them all. Happy blogaversary!

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    1. Thank you! The hot air balloon is a recent design and one of my favourites (at the moment!)

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  7. I love that black and white dress - so graphic! And the sweater. I am new to knitting so that is still beyond my comprehension! :)

    Happy anniversary on your lovely blog!

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    1. Thank you. I'll be posting more about the black and white dress tomorrow.

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  8. Congratulations! I absolutely love your pictures, especially the teacups.

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  9. Happy blog anniversary.. I love your embroidered sewing machine.. What a pretty picture in a sewing room.. Thank you for the nice give away. my email address is on my blog. kennycoke@ripleycable.net

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    1. Thanks very much. I need to do a sewing machine one for myself actually, to hang above my sewing table.

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  10. Happy Blogiversay! I am a new reader of your blog (since the Style your Stash sew along) and how lucky to meet you as you are doing a giveaway. I'd cherish those teacups or the sewing machine-really cute and interesting work. Fingers crossed, Mary

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  11. Congrats Sam, a fab milestone and an opportunity to take stock and look back on a great year of sewing and blogging! I love your embroidery and would loooove a happy badger!! But if that's rather a tall order I've always loved the stacking cups, so something teapot / stacking cups related ie pretty tea china related picture would be awesome.

    My email is scruffybadgertime ( at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks Winnie! Oooh a happy badger, that would be a challenge!

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  12. Hi Sam, I really hope this comment posts because I have tried in the past on your blog and it hasn't worked! Anyway, first off, congrats on your first year as a blogger. You really have made some lovely things. I love your Laurel and also the Simplicity dress (I have that pattern too...will wait to see it on you first), and also LOVE your jumper that you knitted. Well, I would love any of the applique art, but maybe a vintage looking applique dress, or a pair of applique shoes would be lovely to hang in my "dressing room" (i.e. new spare room). Happy blogging! x

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    1. Sorry you've had trouble commenting in the past, as you can see, it's worked OK this time. I'll be posting about the Simplicity dress tomorrow with more pictures and the alterations I made.

      Oooh, a vintage looking dress or shoes would be fab to turn into applique. Love those ideas!

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  13. p.s. did my last comment post or not?!

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    1. Whatever the glitch was it seems to have sorted itself now!

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  14. Hello Sam! Happy blogiversary! You have made some lovely sewing and handmade projects. I love your black and white printed dress and I'd love to win your tea cups picture:)

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  15. Happy blogiversary. Love your pictures but unfortunately wouldn't have anywhere to put one. They are lovely though.

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  16. Happy Blogiversary! It must feel great to reach that stage. Your pictures are beautiful, I would have to ask for a turtle though, for obvious reasons!

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    1. Thank you Claire. Oh yes, a turtle would be great!

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  17. Hi Sam, I've just caught up with this news! Happy Belated Blogiversary - I'm thrilled that your sewing has improved - I think blogs are good for that sort of thing, they sort of keep you accountable to yourself, more than anyone else.

    Your sewn images are absolutely gorgeous - I am sure your lucky winner will be thrilled :)

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Thank you so much for your comment, every one is read and appreciated. It means a lot to me that you take the time to read and comment on my posts.