Thursday, August 23, 2012

Ever, Clever, Friends!

Do you have clever, talented friends? 
Me too!
I see what they create and immediately you'll hear a string of "oohs" and "aaahs" as my eyes roll over the eye candy their talents offer.
My friend Allie - and let me tell you, I'm shining my 'friend' badge when I say that! - has been dabbling in design for a while now, offering sweet free titbits through her blog to bless all her readers. 
BUT, now she's stretching herself (yay!! 'bout time I say!!), and has opened a shop online to sell her very first, ready to purchase, design!
Let me introduce you to "Sailors Delight" by Allie Hartom...
 ....of 'Allie-oops Sweet Happy Life'!
I must tell you why I love this pattern by Allie, and it's not just because it's such a great design.
Read the verse...
My grandfather who raised me was a wharfie. That's what we called them here in Australia, but overseas you might know that as stevedores?
They are the men who used to swing up and down the sides of cargo carriers on roped nets, helping unload. Today safety is far more important than it was then, and they have machines that do a lot of the work my Pop did - but in his day, those men were incredibly hard working and brave. Even more so for my Pop because he'd never learned to swim! Yep, swinging from shore to ship on a rope and he couldn't swim a stroke. The good Lord kept him safe for 45 years.
Anyhow, my nana used to check the weather by the sunrise and the sunset before Pop's morning and afternoon shifts, and she would quote this little poem to me. It actually originated in the Bible! 

Matthew 16:2-3
"When it is evening you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red", and in the morning, "it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening".

All my life I have judged the weather on nana's poem, and every time I say it I remember my sweet Pop.
So you see, this new design of Allie's is really special to me.
If you'd like to purchase her design, click over HERE and visit Allie! 
~~~~~

And now to another of my talented friends, Helen from Bustle & Sew!
Helen Dickson is a fellow e-zine publisher and though our styles are very different, we both love what the other designs!
I'm so proud of Helen as she has just published a gorgeous book, and she sent me my very own copy!
"Rosie & Bear - Around the Year Quilt Book"
 This is a book that follows her daughter Rosie as a young girl with her faithful companion, Bear, through each month of the year. 
Every month is a stitchery, and the finished 12 blocks become a quilt at the end.
My favourite was May (which just happens to be Blossom's birthday month!)...
See Bear peeping over the top?
 
To celebrate Helen's book release (which is available as a PDF download or paperback from Amazon),
she is offering one of my blog readers the chance to own a PDF copy for themselves!
To enter this giveaway just leave ONE comment below, with a valid email address or blog address so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner!
You have until Sunday night, 26th August, to enter!!
I'll draw the winner on Monday 27th.
In the meantime why not visit Helen's blog HERE and have a look at more of her cleverness?!
Or if you'd like to purchase the book now, you'll find the PDF on her website, and the paperback HERE on Amazon.
~~~~~
I read recently that if you add more mental problem solving to your day you have a decreased chance of suffering dementia. 
I found my solution.
Cool, huh? ;-)
Have a great day!
Hugs
Jenny
xx



50 comments:

grandmarockton said...

LOVE this post! thanks for the giveaway

Cecilie said...

Looks like a lovely book, and i woud really like to have it, so i enter this Give Away and are yust hoping!

marygabriella said...

Salve, sono in tempo per il giveway?
Spero di si, il libro è molto bello!
Un abbraccio.
Marina

Bluebell said...

Hi Jenny, I have been reading all the posts I have missed on your blog, it has taken me a while. There are some beautiful stitcheries, my dad was a sailor so that one was lovely to see.
Lovely news about Blossom, I hope she enjoyed her stay in England and wants to come back, I am sure this will be a big wrench for all of you.
Love Jillx

Sue from Cyprus said...

Hi Jenny. The book looks really interesting. Thank you for the chance. I am going to pop over to the blog now!! I know it's abit late but I have been meaning to tell you.... I love your new look on your blog. It's so pretty.

Anonymous said...

such clever ladies,well done on your new ventures,i wish you both all the best.xx

Jo in TAS said...

Lovely work by Allie. I've been following Helen's blog for quite sometime and have purchased a few of her patterns, i love all her stitcheries, they're a little bit vintage and lots of fun.

Gill said...

I know the verse but we substitute shepherd for sailor!
Great giveaway! Count me in please!

Jeanette said...

Lovely giveaway. Always loved the saying on Allie's design. My Mum taught it to me. Love the crossword book. Hugs,

Solstitches said...

I'm a big Rosie and Bear fan and would love to enter the giveaway please.
I arrived via Helen's blog post.
Margaret

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

How wonderful to have such talented stitching friends, so glad to have "met" you online as well. I am also a fan of Helen's work!! Have a wonderful day.

simplestitches said...

clever friends! I'm off to have a closer look at that book, looks yummy!

retdairyqueen said...

I guess clever people attract clever friends

yquiltsalot@comcast.net said...

Love your site and Helen's book looks wonderful!

Yvonne

Deb said...

I love this pattern....would love to win. I love your blog and your style. Thanks for helping rekindle my love for embroidery.

martha said...

Some very talented friends! The pattern is lovely,thank you for the opportunity to win and get to better know your friend.
Martha

Susan said...

What a gorgeous design - thanks Jenny for the giveaway

Robin in New Jersey said...

More loveliness! I love coming here and seeing all the beautiful things you and your friends create. It's like a breath of fresh air.

My mom says the same thing about mental problem solving and dementia! She does a crossword puzzle everyday and plays Scrabble online!

My 19 year old son have started doing crossword puzzles together. One of us will start it, the other fills in a few more, and then passes it back to the other. Fun!

Allie said...

Thank you my darling friend for the shout-out - love you! I had no idea that came from the bible, my grandpa taught it to me, he was an avid fisherman...I spent many happy years out on his boat with him. He only made the mistake of letting me drive once!

Helen's pattern is just gorgeous - I love everything she does! Have fun with your crossword book Jenny, I really don't like crosswords - they make me feel so inadequate, lol!

Joyce Carter said...

Hi Jenny. I would love to win Helen's patterns. Bears are my favorite to stitch and applique.

I have a hard time trying to do crossword puzzle books, but I find I really enjoy the Find and Circle books. They are fun to do and keep me entertained for hours.

Thanks for a great giveaway.

Di said...

Isnt it lovely to have clever inspiring friendships like these. I would love to win a copy of Helen's book.

(By the way, Jenny, those Captcha words for leaving a comment are getting harder and harder to decipher. It's taken me around 7 tries to post my comment. Have you considered doing away with word verification and just using comment moderation? )

Ruth B said...

I love Bustle & Sew!! The patterns are adorable and I get the newsletters so I don't miss a thing. Really fun blog too!

Lynn M said...

Thanks for the chance!

Kathleen said...

What a lovely book. As I am just beginning to make for my first grandchild, I'd love to win it!

jofridsquilt said...

looks like a lovely book. Thanks for the chanse to win. Hugs Jofrid

Judy1522 said...

The book looks beautiful and what a nice post about your friends.

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Post lindo e caprichado como sempre,obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

hope said...

You introduced me to her website a few weeks ago and I just had to subscribe to her magazine!! Love this book and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.

Hope

Linda B said...

Hi Jenny! I love this blog! So glad that Helen sent me over!
Hugs,
Linda

Lisa E said...

I love the bear stitchery. Thanks for the chance to win. I was sad to hear that Blossom is leaving you. I know it's time for her to spread her wings, but I can't help feeling some sadness. Especially since she's moving so far away!

Karen said...

Hi Love Helen's designs.

chrissie said...

What a lovely giveaway. I would love to win this!

Teresa S. said...

I would love to have a chance at the new book! Thank you!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Thanks for a chance to win Helen's book. I love Allie's new design as well.

Donna Joy said...

Such a delightful book of embroidery, thanks for sharing. Love both your embroidery styles.

Dolores said...

There are just so many wonderful projects out there to make I wish the days had a few added hours to them. Or maybe someone could help with the housework so I could stitch all day???

Lydia said...

What a great giveaway! Count me in.

Saule said...

What a lovely book! I would like to have it. Thanks for a chance to win Helen's book.

Saule
saule_r2000@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny I like your site and will make it one of my favorites. Helen sent me over to check it out I enjoy her site too. Thanks for the chance to win Helens book.

Hugs, and Blessings,
Jan G.

jangunter@live.com

Paula said...

What a great giveaway! I would love to win this book!

frmpjr@juno.com

Charlotte said...

Thanks for the contest. I love Helen's works and I love finding new inspirational people to follow!

Beth said...

My mom taught me that poem, and I refer to it whenever I check the sunset.

Don't you love "everyday" kind of things that remind you of the people who have passed on? Such a sweet comfort.

Thank you for the lovely giveaway.

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Fleur Cotton said...

Would love a go in this giveaway if it's still open.

Fleur xx

Becky G said...

Such lovely designs! Thanks for the introduction to your clever, creative friends. Would love to win! Thanks for the chance. B

Anonymous said...

hi jenny i hope i win the book i love yor site. diane x

Anonymous said...

hi jenny i hope i win the book it looks lovely. diane x
ydl2010-1000@yahoo.co.uk

Nancy Lee said...

My family were sailors and fishermen in Newfoundland on Canada's east coast. We also always heard, "Mackerel skies and mares' tails, lofty ships, set low sails." For grey days full of wispy clouds...
The web site is looking more and more lovely. Hugs to all at the start of Blossom's great adventure. It is so difficult to see them go, and yet we are proud of them when the do...

Lee said...

I love the sweet sailor stitching and poem! thank you for the lovely giveaway!

Shawkl said...

Oh my, what a great contest! Love the photos!
Kathy

judy said...

wow looks like a great book
Judy