Giveaway Day: 1 Yard of Free Spirit Della Flannel Owl Friends

If you've never visited MRL before Welcome!  I'm in the midst of *slashing my stash* and what better way to do it than by giving some of it away?

What am I giving away: 1 Yard of Valori Well's Della Flannel Owl Friends

Winner can choose Warm (pink, yellow, orange) or Cool (blue, green) colorway...

 

Who can enter: Anyone!  Domestic US or International!

How to enter: In my Sewing Machine Adultery series I try out different machines and write up a review of what I thought as well as ask others to leave comments about their advice/opinions on that model machine or brand.  (FYI - next review is of the Juki TL-2010Q, it'll be a 2 Parter!) 

Leave a comment telling me what sewing machine sewing machine I should try out and why?

Giveaway closes May 10th 5p.m. PST

Winner will be picked at random!

Be sure to stop into Sew Mama Sew and see all the other amazing giveaways going on this week!!!

MRL Anniversary Giveaway!

Today is my 5 year wedding anniversary.  5 years married almost 15 years together...

Whew hew!  

It is also my 1 year, 2 months, and 1 day blogging anniversary at makingrebeccalynne.com  

I was writing a year in review blog post documenting some of my favorite posts over my first year.  The things I've learned, the things I've enjoyed, the things I've disliked...but whenever I sat down to finish this list I can't seem to encapsulate everything.

Instead, I've decided not to try.  

Instead, I'll tell you that over all I've really loved blogging MRL.  Even though it is a lot of work, takes time, and requires a lot of diligence, I would never trade the people I've met, the support I've found, the inspiration I've discovered in our awesome blogging DIY community.  

For Example, when I picked out this bundle of FQs at Sew Fresh Fabrics I excitedly told Peg at Sew Fresh Fabrics that I was buying it to post as a blog anniversary giveaway bundle.  I never expected her generosity when she decided to send me the bundle for free!!!  

My Point?  Celebrate Loud and Celebrate Often...Share Your Ups with others when you have them and Help Others Through Their Downs.  And more importantly...

HELLO! GO CHECK OUT SEW FRESH FABRICS.  GO!  RIGHT NOW!

So.  Giveaway anyone?

Three Chances to win...Three like my Three Lovely Girls...

Leave a comment below telling me the following:

1. Let me know you follow MRL

2. Blog/Facebook/Tweet about the MRL Anniversary Giveaway

3. Tell me how you found out about this giveaway (MRL version of 6 degrees of separation)

Giveaway Closes Tuesday September 18, 2012!!!

Drama Free 2012 - Giveaway Winner!!!

So, I was going to pick the winner based on whose story had me laughing out loud the most while I was away at my Grandmother's funeral.  But, honestly, I could not pick!  Plus - that would not take into account all of the wonderful links I received for Thursday Think Tank that week.  Therefore, I turned to the trusty Random.org True Random Number Generator and came up with:

Drum roll...  (come on...you can do it...imagine a drum roll...)

Alright, I'm counting...and who do we come up with...

Sana Saroti!  

What makes this so funny is that Sana thought, based on her reading of Kelli's message, that I was in some serious trouble and was in prison!  Sana, what I want to know is exactly what you thought I might have been in prison for!!!  Now that is a story we should blog about...a fictional story...this former prosecutor and current county attorney has not been nor is she going to prison!  Hahahahaa...  (Hmmm, unless Sana knows something I don't?)

Kelli still has to pick her winner so stay tuned and pop on over to Seriously...I think it needs stitches...she said she was going to get to it later this afternoon.  Fingers crossed for you all!

If you don't win this time don't worry - Kelli and I will be doing more Drama Free Giveaways throughout 2012.  If there is something you'd especially like to win do tell us by leaving a comment below.

- rebecca lynne

TTT~and a GIVEAWAY!!

Hello everyone!  My name is Kelli, and I blog over @ Seriously..I think it needs stitches.  Today I am honored to be guest posting for the first time ever and guest hosting the Thursday Think Tank for Rebecca Lynne, while she is out of town attending to something very important.


So I hope some of you will link up and share what's been on your mind this week, or what you've been up to. Quilty, crafty or otherwise.  Anything goes in the Think Tank.


What's been on my mind today is this pillowcase that I made HAD to make.  A few weeks ago, I let my son pick out a yard of fabric for a pillow case that I would make him.  He was so excited.  Then he wanted to pick out the border for it.  The fabric was on sale, I had a weak moment, and I let him choose, on his own.  I'm all for letting kids have their own creative license and all that.. but I REALLY REALLY didn't like the two fabrics he chose to put together.  But he had his heart set on them.  The other day he asked me where his fabrics were and described them in detail. I figured it was time to face the fabrics.  


So today, I sat down and sewed it up.  At least pillow cases make for a speedy project.  Something about the fabric colors and little bones.. UGH.  I love dogs and so does my son, but these two fabrics just seem to clash! I feel bad for hating it so, when my son is so in love with it, but it actually makes me cringe. At what point do you say to a 5 yr old.. "that's not such a good combo", or "sleeping on that might make you dizzy and throw up"?  I didn't have the heart to, so I just sewed it up.  

He wanted his finger in the picture. 




I don't know.. something about the color combos.  ACK!  I don't know whether I'm going to have a migrain or chest pain looking at it.  But you know what?  He loves it.  LOVES.  And I love that he loves it.  Because I love him. I guess that's what it all boils down to, right?

He insisted on putting it on his pillow immediately. And I have to admit, it's much cuter with his head on it.  Although I might have to read bedtime stories with my eyes closed sometimes.  Which may be difficult. ;) Maybe it will grow on me.


In the meantime, let's get to the giveaway!  Rebecca and I have been planning a tandem giveaway in honor of our Drama Free 2012 pact that we made at the start of the year.


SO, on each of our blogs today, you can enter to win a Little Apples layer cake by Aneela Hoey.

You can do so many things with a layer cake. There are lots of ideas at the Moda Bake Shop.


And as an added little prize in honor of our drama free year, you can also win a peace, love, quilt coaster from Cafepress.com  :o)

The giveaway will be open until Feb. 25.  To enter, just leave your comments on this post, and you can have more chances than one to enter.


1. The giveaway is open to our fun fantastic followers.  Leave a commment saying you are a follower.


2. You can have an extra entry for linking up to this Thursday Think Tank post.


3.  If you wish to share the giveaway with your friends and blog about it leave a comment stating you did for an extra entry.


4.  And for a fourth chance at winning, let's try and make Rebecca laugh and/or cheer her up, since she is attending to some stressful business right now.  Leave a comment with something funny that has happened to you recently or a reason that you love her blog. :o)


Good luck!  When you're through, head over to my place @ Seriously..I think it needs stitches. and enter over there.  We are each giving away the same prize so you'll have double the chances of winning!! :o)  May you all have a peaceful, happy and healthy, drama free year!


(Don't forget to link up your Thursday Think Tank post!)

WINNER & I'm Back

Hi Everyone!  I feel like I've been gone forever...but I guess I really haven't...I mean I only missed a few days of blogging and thanks to the amazing help of my friends Erin and Lucy it was as if I was barely away.  Thank you so much for filling in for me while I was away dancing my face off at my friend's beautiful wedding (yes, yes, pictures soon I promise!).

I don't know about all of you - is this a Fall Feeling or something - but I am starting to feel very overwhelmed.  As though a very strong need to prioritize is pulling at me.  Although I am dying to run to my studio and finish the H&H Quilt tonight I am looking around my house with complete dread.  My recent absence and lack of prioritizing my household duties is obvious.  Sigh, this is due to procrastination and now that we will be having guests for the next two weekends I am now paying for it big time!

After quickly catching up on the links for the most recent Thursday Think Tank it seems that I am not the only one feeling the pull of obligation.  A few of you mentioned needing to get some real life responsibilities off your plate.  I hope we can all rally together and help each other keep the creative mojo going even when we only have 5 or 10 minutes a day to do anything creative.  I am going to rely on you guys to push me through while I battle laundry vomit (clean, folded laundry that needs putting away) and miscellaneous we need a home items living on my table surfaces!

So, without further ado, if you've even read this far instead of skipping ahead, ahem whatever not judging eye roll, it is extremely appropriate that the 55 Followers Giveaway go to one of the Original 55 (seriously, I think she was one of the Original 25!) and someone who based on her recent TTT Post is also feeling the real world encroaching on her creative time...

CONGRATULATIONS JANINE!!!

Thank you all for playing.  I cannot believe that I now have 106 Followers - whaaaat???  I know, I know, I am going to have to do another giveaway soon.  Whew.  What could I possibly giveaway next?

For all of you who have commented on MRL's posts last week I am so sorry if I haven't emailed you a reply.  Catching up with 656 unread blogs (yes, I do love me some long list of blogs) and over 100+ emails (no not all comments, although how rocking would that be?).  I promise I will try to visit you all via blogland or email soon!!!

so, so, so glad to be home and feeling much loved, thank you!

- rebecca lynne

Fifty-Five Followers Fun Giveaway!

MRL Fifty-Five Followers Fun Giveaway

Okay here it is!  The Making Rebecca Lynne Followers appreciation giveaway!  Why?  Because I can and more importantly because I want to show you all how much I appreciate you!

So what is up for the giveaway...?  This Echino Madrigal Peach Pouch created by moi & some destash!

I was debating whether to make a pouch this size for myself and decided to see what I could fit inside and show you all.  It fits perfectly in the hand, so cute!  Plus, I was able to fit and close the pouch with my phone, earrings (big to some), lipstick, hair-clip, and keys with my massive keychain inside.  Pretty good don't you think?

      

Destash includes some Amy Butler, Heather Ross, Tina Givens (great for fussy cutting), Kokka Hippos, bits (varying sizes) and some random fat quarters that I have no idea what the names are.  But one of them is dots!

What to do...

Please leave a comment PER ENTRY because I will be using a Random Number Generator to Pick the winner!

1. BONUS entry to my current 55 Followers.  Because there would be no Fun without you...if you are one of the first 55 then please leave a comment stating Bonus Entry.  [This idea came from Helen so do pop onto her site and leave her some thanks!] 

2. Follow MRL and leave a comment, OR if you already do then leave a comment to remind me

3. Become a Fan and Like MRL's Facebook Page and leave a comment to let me know

4. Blog about the Fifty-five Followers Fun Giveaway and leave me a comment with a link

5.  Tell me how you feel about Sampler QALs.  Is it something you like to do or do you prefer to QAL a different kind of quilt altogether.  Or do you not like QALs at all?  Spill the dirt...

Mr. Random Number Generator will help me pick a winner at Midnight Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday October 12th, 2011! 

Whew hew!  Good Luck!

- rebecca lynne

Giveaway: Pay It Forward

I really am a true believer in Paying it Forward.  In fact, I am already trying to decide what to do with the free fabric I won in a giveaway by giving it away...or keeping it and giving some other fabric of mine away.  I know crazy.  It may be related to the huge amounts of guilt I seem to suffer when something fortunate happens to me.  I don't know why, my mother certainly doesn't do the Guilt Trip thing, so I can't even blame her!  In fact, she teases ME about feeling guilt all the time.  Sorry, I digress...

I saw this lovely idea on Erin's Blog. Heheh, in fact, I am one of her PIF folk!  Here is your chance to win something free made by me!  Well, I am excited...are you?  Okay, here are the rules:

1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and you will not know when it will arrive
2. I will have 365 days to get this surprise to you. The catch? To get a goodie from me you must play along too! Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goody to the first three people comment on your blog post.
3. You must therefore have a blog! 
4. After commenting on my post, you have to go post this on your blog.

Don't stress if you are like me and new to the whole handmade swap thing, or to the handmade thing full stop! I am not guaranteeing anything incredibly amazing, and if there is something you've seem me create that you'd really love to have...well hints are permissible.  No matter what, I promise it will be made with love and definitely a lot of hand wringing anxiety as to whether you will like it on my end!

One more thing...if you have a Flickr Account please feel free to join the Flickr Group for Handmade Pay it Forward here.  

- rebecca lynne

GIVEAWAY WINNER: My Memories Suite Version 2.0 Digital Scrapbooking Software

DRUM ROLL PLEASE......

Congratulations to Erin of Missy Mac Creations!  Who said: 

Visited the My Memories website - and would like the Purple Party digital scrapbooking kit (http://www.mymemories.com/store/display_product_page?id=LJKD-CP-1106-3173). 

Initially I'd love to have a play to create a nicer blog (because, let's face it, my header etc is shite).Thanks for all the chances. :)

I will be contacting you personally, Erin, to tell you more about how to receive your Free My Memories Suite Software!

- rebecca lynne

GIVEAWAY: My Memories Suite Version 2.0 Digital Scrapbooking Software

Anyone notice a difference in my blog layout?  Hunh...nudge nudge, wink wink...  See the buttons I've added on the righthand side?  I whipped those up last night using the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software!  Seriously, it was so simple.  I really liked this digi scrapbooking software and had fun using it.  If you scroll down you can see how to enter the giveaway to receive your OWN copy of the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software for free.  Plus, I have included a Coupon Code for $10 OFF the My Memories Suite Software and $10 OFF My Memories Merchandise!


In my last post about the My Memories Suite Software I wrote about the Word Art Designer and Photo features of the software.  I also demonstrated how I created the Thank You image below using solely imagery found on my computer and the Word Art Designer tool.

Thank You Card using making rebecca lynne imagery

No templates needed.  I simply used a blank album format.  In fact, the Blank Format is pretty key so I am adding two screenshots to show you want I mean...

First when creating a new Album you can select Design Your Own (highlighted in orange here)

Then when creating your album page you can select Blank Page and start with a bare page!

What I failed to mention about creating an image like the Thank You above is what you can do with it next.  If you'd like to learn more about how to create cards, albums, iPod movies, DVDs, and photo albums watch this clip from Lisa Jurrens at My Memories.

Here’s what’s on the video –

·         Software Screen Tour – finding your papers and embellishments.

·         MyMemories.com website tour (and description of different types of products on the site)

·         Beginning information on album creation

·         Introduction to SOME of the tools (and references to the other video tutorials that are available)

Welcome to the Family! from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

Before getting to the giveaway portion I'd like to point out a few more cool things about this software.  Unlike my last project I decided that this time I was going to shop a bit in the My Memories site where you can find embellishments, frames, templates, and lots of other goodies to create your digital imagery.  I was very impressed by the amount of variety at the shop...and...cheap person that I am...I loved that there was a Free Downloads section as well as a Dollar Store.  This means I was able to spend very little money to create my projects!

Also, I liked being able to get into the My Memories shop while working within the software.  If you look at the upper lefthand corner of the screenshot of the My Memories digital software below you will notice a shopping cart button.  Clicking on that baby gets you right into some of the latest and greatest in the My Memories shop.  This is a live image from my computer not one given to me by the My Memories folks...and look...in the first three rows are FREEBIES.  So, that was cool too, it wasn't just all about shoving more product to buy in my face.  (Personally, I downloaded the freebie found furthest to the right in the third row down...the masks...I love using frames in my digital imagery.)

After picking my items I downloaded them to my computer.  (To learn more about the downloading please refer to the video above.)  I use a Mac and found that I could download my goodies and literally place them wherever I wanted to.  Looking at the screenshot below you can see me installing the Happy Go Lucky papers into the My Memories folders on my computer.  But, once I got going, I downloaded them right into my "Scrapbooking" file which is where I keep all of my digital scrapbooking imagery.

Now, once I had my goodies in my Scrapbooking file, or in the My Memories folders in my Applications folder, I was looking around to get the items into my project.  At first I was using the standard method of the Control Panel within the My Memories Suite software (see video).  Below you can see my screenshot of the Control Panel method of searching for images on your computer.

My Memories Suite Control Panel browser for files on your computer

Then, quite accidentally, I discovered I could drag and drop the image I was looking for into my project!  I was trying to find a specific frame I downloaded (yes...I downloaded quite a few!) and was going a bit mad because I couldn't find it.  Using my Finder I located the frame and thought, pssht why not, and tried dragging and dropping and VOILA, it worked!  Well, that sped things along quite nicely because I could search my Scrapbooking file by image and simply drag and drop what I wanted to use next into my project.

Smaller Window is my Finder and I have mask2.png highlighted; if you look behind the smaller window you'll see the larger window displaying the My Memories Suite software and the same mask2.png in my project after I dragged and dropped it there.

In case you are on a Reader or in the case of my changing my imagery, here are the blog buttons I created tonight using the My Memories Suite Software.  What do you think?  Do you like them?  I was going for something simple, easy to read, but fun.  Thought my blog could be a bit more structured and organized...  Of course I have more buttons to make - like a digital scrapbooking one - duh!  But so far...do I have a thumbs up? 

My Final Thoughts on My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

All in all, I am really glad that I was able to try this digital scrapbooking software.  I felt extremely comfortable using it because the tools are simple to use and very clearly marked.  Unlike other digital scrapbooking software I have used, I did not feel pressured to spend a lot of $$$ on a bunch of digital scrapbooking merchandise to use the software.  Instead I was very happy using a combination of My Own Imagery & My Memories downloads...many of which were freebies!  Also, the digital scrapbooking merchandise that was available is awesome and I already have a wishlist under my My Memories account for future reference.  ;)  And, most importantly, as I hope I have demonstrated above, this digital scrapbooking software does not require you to use a template!  I created both the Thank You Card and making rebecca lynne buttons using a Blank Format meaning us creative types can really have the freedom to do whatever we want...which, you have to admit, is exactly the way we like things.

Without any further ado...

******** GIVEAWAY & COUPON **********

Here is your chance to win your own My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software!  The My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software is easy to use, fun, and awesome software to create one of a kind digital scrapbooking pieces!  It would be really great for the beginner digital scrapbooker as well as appeal to a more experienced digital scrapbooker who already has a stash of their own imagery.  My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software would be extremely useful to anyone interested in making invitations, cards, photo albums, and as you've seen me do imagery and buttons for blogging!  

G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y

You will each have five chances to win the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software giveaway hosted by making rebecca lynne: 

• 1) Become a follower of making rebecca lynne and let me know by leaving a comment below.  If you are already a follower, well, then you rock obviously, and leave me a comment telling me as much!  ;)
• 2) Visit www.mymemories.com and choose your favorite My Memories scrapbooking goodies (papers, kits, templates) and leave me a comment about what you'd create with your favs.
• 3) Facebook the giveaway!  Copy this:  
• Comment for a chance to win a digital scrapbook software giveaway at http://makingrebeccalynne.blogspot.com
• Then leave a comment with your Facebook ID to let me know!
• 4) Follow the My Memories Facebook page at Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite  Then leave me a comment with your Facebook ID to let me know!
• 5) Twitter the giveaway!  Copy this:  
• Comment for a chance to win a digital scrapbook software giveaway at http://makingrebeccalynne.blogspot.com
• Then leave a comment with your Twitter ID to let me know!

Winner will be chosen by Tuesday August 30, 2011 9am (EST United States)

Please no more than 4 comments/entries per contest post. Also leave an email or account ID so I can contact you when if you are a winner.

C-O-U-P-O-N

If you are interested in Buying the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software NOW  then you are in luck as making rebecca lynne readers will receive $10 OFF the My Memories Suite software AND $10 OFF My Memories merchandise using this blog's exclusive coupon code!  That is a total of $20 in savings.  (Wow, I sound like an infomercial.)  Simply use the following Coupon Code: STMMMS92078

Thanks for playing!  Good Luck!

- rebecca lynne

<<<<GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED>>>>

What? Me? No Way!

Autumn Nest FQ Custom Bundle from Fabricworm

I am proud to report that I was last week's Fabricworm Giveaway Winner!!!  I know, can you believe it?  I have never ever won a giveaway before...how cool.  And to win from basically my favorite place to drool ever makes it that much cooler!  Whew hew.  I should be receiving the Autumn Nest Custom Bundle of 8 FQs in the mail.  Sigh...how awesome.  And look, fabric with a bird, one of my favorite things to sew for the girls.  Fabulous, dahling, simply fabulous!

Still on Cloud 9...

- rebecca lynne

COMING SOON: Digital Scrapbook Software Giveaway!!!

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking

I am always looking for ways to enhance my digital scrapbooking...be it by collecting vintage clipart here and there or searching high and low for better scrapbooking software.  As fate would have it My Memories contacted me and asked that I try out their digital scrapbooking software - My Memories Suite.  

Better yet...My Memories has offered to give a copy of My Memories Suite software to one of my readers in a giveaway hosted here on making rebecca lynne.  If you are interested in digital scrapbooking STAY TUNED and STAY CONNECTED as I plan on writing a review and launching the giveaway this Friday August 26, 2011 and picking a winner Tuesday August 30, 2011.

Spread the word about the upcoming giveaway with your friends!

- rebecca lynne