Wednesday 11 April 2012

Of Rainbows and Give-Aways

It always rains at Easter time on the east coast of Australia. A huge statement I know, but it's mostly true. This year we had the best weather that I can ever remember instead. Sunny warm days and light breezes. My husband and the kids camped out in the backyard and had a fabulously DRY time.
Then yesterday the usual Easter weather arrived. The temperature plummeted by at least 10 degrees. The usual combination of thunderstorms, rain and wind. But when I woke this morning there was a rainbow. Very special. The kids and I all admired it. 
Yesterday I received a well wrapped parcel from the talented Christine of Lavenderlore. Frances and I gleefully unwrapped each hand knitted outfit for Florrie and one of them was this gorgeous rainbow top. I will show you some more of the outfits in later posts as well.
WiP - Zakka Style House Pouch

I had doubts about whether I would join in on this week's Zakka Style Sew Along item - the 'House Pouch'. It's not really my style at all but I was keen to try something a little less demanding than last week's tote. I am also at a point of severe indecision about my next quilting project. I have cut out all the fabrics, fused the interfacing and pinned the applique features ready to start sewing tomorrow.

I am linking up with...
Turning 50 Charm Give-Away

My favourite QCA blog buddy from Quiet Play, Kristy, and I both hit 50 'followers' today. (Small cheer to you all for bothering to show up each day). So we've devised a tandem 'Charm Pack' give-away to mark this significant occasion for our small bloggys.

You can pop over to Kristy's Give-away post today and see what charm pack she is offering. Here's what's on offer from Finding fifth...
                                          Petite Odile Charm Pack
The gorgeous 'Petit Odile' by 'French General for Moda. In keeping with the Quilt Club Australia theme, I found this one at 'Want it, Need it, Quilt' online store run by fellow QCA Quilt Jane. Even with postage, her prices are equal to anything I can get in from overseas. 
                      jpg-petite-odilecollage.jpg
Isn't the range lovely in these colourways? I may have trouble parting with this Charm Pack.

Kristy has written the entry details below...

So how do you go in the running for this? Easy. You have three options - each one gives you an entry.
1. Leave a comment of any sort on this blog post.
2. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me so.
3. Become a follower of Kristy's Blog 'Quiet Play' and leave a comment here telling me too :)

Entries end in one week - at 8pm Wednesday 18th April (Aussie time).  

That's it! Do one, do all three - your choice. This is open to everyone - happy to post internationally. Please make sure that you leave a separate comment for each entry. And!Most importantly! Make sure you are not a no-reply blogger! I need some way to contact you in case you're the lucky winner :)  If you're a wordpress user and can't follower via Google Friend Connect, you can subscribe via RSS to your preferred reader. It's all about options! 

236 comments:

  1. have just started following your blog :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. found you on QCA on Facebook. came over to have a look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (*waving to you) Thanks for stopping by Kaitlyn.

      Delete
  3. Started following Quiet Play as well. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations on having 50 followers. Thanks for the chance to win. I love the color palette (sp?) of this charm pack. Does spelling count?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am already a follower of this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am already a follower of Quiet Play. Don't I have good taste?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the rainbow! I can't wait to get my Zakka book so I can see what the fuss is all about!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As well as being quite practical it has a lot of visual appeal.

      Delete
  8. I am a follower of Kristy's blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The fabrics in your charm pack giveaway are stunning (as are all the French General fabrics, I think!). Thanks for the lovely giveaway opportunity. I am looking forward to reading more of your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree - the 'French General' solid I used for Zakka Style 'zig zag tote' (see yesterday's post) is a dream to work with.

      Delete
  10. 50 followers for both of you - well done! I would have trouble parting with that gorgeous charm pack too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another follower for you - I just signed up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a beautiful blog!! Glad I found it!! That charm pack is gorgeous, I love all of those colors! Congrats on 50 followers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just signed up as a follower!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also signed up as a follower to Kristy's blog.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. My Mum loves this collection and has just purchased a charm pack!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your mum has great taste as always. I wish she had a blog!

      Delete
  16. I am already a follower of your wonderful blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Because I am a QCA girl, I am also already a follower of Kristy's blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Zakka quilt along looks like a lot of fun. Maybe you'll end up liking it when it's done. If not - it's always good for a gift. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am already a follower of your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. And I'm a follower of Kristy's blog too :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. And congratulations to you both on 50 followers!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Replies
    1. Have you been here Mike...just popped over to your blog yesterday too.

      Delete
  23. I am following Kristy's blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's been wonderful joining QCA and meeting so many lovely fellow Aussie quilters and bloggers!! Congrats on reaching 50!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a supportive group for me too. Isn't it fun visiting all their blogs and getting the background to their work?

      Delete
  25. What a good time to become a follower, hey?! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. And am also following Kristy's too!! Thanks ladies :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Don't give up on the bag making hun, you have to start somewhere, and it turned out alright in the end didn't it? I've never seen magnets being put in with buttonholes before, so you've even taught this semi veteran (Been making them for over 4 years now)bag maker a new trick!

    Hugs
    Naomi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah that was due to the tutorial I found. It might be a while before I do another bag though.

      Delete
  28. I follow your blog :o)

    Hugs
    Naomi

    ReplyDelete
  29. I also follow Kristy's blog.

    Hugs
    Naomi

    ReplyDelete
  30. That rainbow is beautiful. I have had to work every Easter for the past 7 years. Maybe this would make up for it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well nearly every Easter has been wet for us...so this was our first dry one. Sorry that you have missed out on many. Are you in a profession that never rests?

      Delete
  31. hi Fiona, what a great giveaway you and Kristy are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I already follow your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. and I already follow Kristy's too!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi have just found you on Australian Quilters I would love to receive Petite Odile by Moda. I'm about to start a quilt for my girlfriend of 40+ yrs and its in blues and burgandy's on a cream back ground. Margaret Sth Australia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is gorgeous isn't it? I think it might match quite nicely with Moda's 'Hope' that I still have in my scrap bag.

      Delete
  35. Well I have become yours and Quiet Plays new followers. Love your Zakka colors. Look forward to following your blog. Thanks for the give-a-way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to our crazy bloggy worlds then Martha.

      Delete
  36. Hello - glad you decided to give the house pouch a go - you inspired ME to [eventually] do the tote :) Great giveaway - thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny how it was YOU that inspired me to do this project.Hehehe

      Delete
  37. I'm a follower :) Many thanks for the chance to win your giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  38. charm pk is awesome (your blog so very intresting ..)
    cheers bev roberts heading away for the weekend ..

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love the giveaway. Hope I win some designer fabric. we still don't get them in India.
    Loved your post on the zakka bag...have been facing some challenges myself with it so missed the deadline.Will look forward to your other posts on zakka.
    leena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was nowhere near the deadline either - let's hope the rest of the projects are easier.

      Delete
  40. Am a follower .
    leena
    India

    ReplyDelete
  41. Am a follower of Kristy's.

    Leena
    (India)

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a fabulous giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Replies
    1. I am looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.

      Delete
  44. Proud to be one of the 50 followers! Yay.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Congratulations on 50 followers......oh, 61 now! Well done! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Make that 62! I'm now following!

    ReplyDelete
  47. ANd I follow Kirsy's blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I stalk...I mean *follow* kristy too ;)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Such a pretty charm pack. Thanks for the giveaway chance and congrats on hitting 50!

    ReplyDelete
  50. what a lovely blog,love the pic of the country side that is your header.xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah that's the view of the Tumut River valley that we used to have from our rental home. I miss it.

      Delete
  51. I'm also a new follower of Kristy's!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I came here after checking out your Zakka house pouch. It's fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh great that you found the think through. The ZSSA is great to get to know new bloggers/crafters so thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  53. This is my first visit, great blog you have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Jan...I hope to get by and see all the linked blogs from these comments.

      Delete
  54. I love the prints on the fabrics. So cute.

    ReplyDelete
  55. And I'm a follower of Kristy's blog to.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am following your blog - subscribed to posts with Google Reader & RSS.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'm also following Kristy's blog on Google Reader and RSS.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Just become a follower here.

    ReplyDelete
  59. And following Kristy's blog

    ReplyDelete
  60. I've been following you for a little while now. Can I just say that I love the photo up top of the countryside :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it too...maybe one day I will get a large print copy of it for my wall.

      Delete
  61. I've just started following Kristy's blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Finally thank you for offering up such a great charm pack and also for such a great blog. The fingers are itching to get sewing now LOL

    ReplyDelete
  63. Congrats on reaching 50! I hope to get there someday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The first 50 took nearly a year...this competition has added nearly that many in 4 days! I think having a blog buddy give-away was the trick and also linking to other pages. Also Samelia's Mum lent a huge hand. But I think it is nice being a small blog.

      Delete
  64. Thank you for the chance to win. Grats on reaching 50 followers.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Came via QCA...you and Kristy are to be congratulated...lots of Happy Followers.... well done! The Charm pack is beautiful.... Petite Odile... such pretty colours..... thanks for the giveaway! Your tote tute was superb.

    ReplyDelete
  66. New follower of Kristy's Blog 'Quiet Play

    ReplyDelete
  67. Congrats on reaching a follower milestone! I love the fabric charm pack thatyou are giving away. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, it looks like a sweet one to win.

      Delete
  68. I am a new follower of your blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I also began following the Quiet Play blog.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love French General. Congratulations on hitting 50 (now 74) followers, and thanks for the great giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I have only worked with the solids before but I may need a few print lines now too.

      Delete
  71. I am a new follower of your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I am following Kristy's blog too.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Congratulations on 50 followers! I am looking forward to spending time on your blog. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nice finding a new blog...like a good library book really!

      Delete
  74. Oooh, I love that charm pack, Fiona! Congrats on hitting 50. It'll be 100 before you know it! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is nearly 100 already - my jaw nearly hit the ground when I looked last night. See you on Friday at TGIFF.

      Delete
  75. I'm also a follower of Kristy's blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. LOVE YOUR GIVEAWAY=NEAT FABRICS!
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU!

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. HAPPILY FOLLOWING KRISTY TOO!

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. What pretty fabric! :-) And, backyard camping is so much fun!! Some of my most favorite childhood memories are of camping with my Mom & Dad! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  80. Thanks for the lovely giveaway and your WIP photos. The fabric for the Zakka project is cute. Also thanks for including international for the French General charm pack (USA).

    ReplyDelete
  81. I follow Quiet Play as well! Thanks so much! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  82. I'm now a follower of yours! Thanks for the opportunity, how nice of you!

    ReplyDelete
  83. What a well dressed dolly! Thanks for a chance at your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  84. New follower. You're charging towards 100!

    ReplyDelete
  85. And a new follower at Quiet Play.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Thanks for a great giveaway! Have a happy weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  87. I'm a new follower of yours! :)

    ReplyDelete
  88. I'm a follower of Kristy's! :)

    ReplyDelete
  89. Hi and i like finding new blogs to read and now you are at 80

    ReplyDelete
  90. I also now follow Kirsty

    ReplyDelete
  91. I have recently discovered French General and would love to add a little bit of this. congratulations on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I have recently discovered French General and would love to add a little bit of this. congratulations on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I can imagine a picnic basket, apple pie and this quilt besides :)

    sandra _ mitr at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Thanks so much for the giveaway. Is there any quilter who doesn't love new fabric?

    ReplyDelete
  95. love the knitted rainbow top on Florrie.

    ReplyDelete
  96. love the thing you are making angchappell@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. following you blog angchappell@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. also following Kristy's Blog 'Quiet Play you girls have some very nice stuff thank you for the giveaway angchappell@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. We've had funky rainy weather over here in California too. I wish I woke up to a ranibow. They never cease to enlighten your entire day.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I'm a new follower. I look forward to, um, following you.

    ReplyDelete
  101. I'm a new follower of Quiet Play.

    ReplyDelete
  102. Loving the colours in that charm pack!!!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Was stalking your blog before via a tab on my blog but now I'm a follower <3

    ReplyDelete
  104. Hello Fiona, love the Zakka projects, I may well invest in the book *one day*!

    ReplyDelete
  105. I already follow Kristy too!

    ReplyDelete
  106. Got to love that Easter weather. We were nearly blown away over the Easter weekend. Love the rainbow though. That always makes me smile.
    Thanks for the great giveaway and congratulations on the 50 followers.

    ReplyDelete
  107. How lucky to catch a beautiful rainbow like that!! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  108. I am now a follower! Congrats on 50 followers (AND MORE!!) I am at 40!

    ReplyDelete
  109. I'm happy to be a new follower of your blog-- I just loved your pictorial on the Zakka House Pouch!

    ReplyDelete
  110. I'm surprised how much I like this Petit Odile line-- the muted tones are just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Hi Fiona. I love the picture of the rainbow. We had one at our house a couple of weeks ago and it was gorgeous!It just kept getting bigger and bigger until it finally vanished.
    Thank you so much for a wonderful giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Love this fabric line. I also love the little house pouch you made...it's just so charming. Have an especially blessed day! Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  113. I've just become a follower of your blog. I get such inspiration from seeing the works of other crafters. Each is so unique!

    ReplyDelete
  114. I also became a follower of Quiet Play. Just lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  115. I also follow Kristy's blog at Quiet Play.

    ReplyDelete
  116. I like Petit Odile - especially the letter print. Cute!

    ReplyDelete
  117. I follow Kristy's blog now, too!

    ReplyDelete
  118. thanks for the giveaway, I love this fabric, its typically what the french like to use in their patchwork

    ReplyDelete
  119. ohh these fabrics are wonderful. thanks for the opportunity to win. love the pictures at the beginning of the post. hope you had a wonderful easter.

    ReplyDelete
  120. thanks for the chance in the giveaway, love french general, found you via Sameilas Mum :)

    ReplyDelete
  121. Found you via Samelia'sMum -congratulations on your blogging milestone!

    ReplyDelete
  122. Hi Fiona - I'm here from your Zakka sew along link - I did see your link somewhere the other day but when I tried to visit the page wouldn't open so glad that I could read your blog today ! and I see that you live in Alstonville so just had to comment - my mum was born there ! cute little house pouch btw :)

    ReplyDelete
  123. What a smart way to get new followers! Great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  124. And I have also become your follower. I have spend a year in Australia and you brought up my memories, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  125. Just visited Kristy and I'm her follower too.

    ReplyDelete
  126. I am a new follower - looking forward to your future posts!!

    ReplyDelete
  127. Love this line of fabric - the colours are rich and warm!!

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.