GIVE-A-WAY!
November 21, 2011 Happy Monday!
I know, I know what's to be happy about with no more quiltlets, is probably what you're wondering. Well, as a sort of olive branch offering, I have another giveaway for you. You're welcome. ;)
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Ok. Do you remember what it was on Etsy that you had to have so badly that you became a member just so you could buy it?
I do.
It was this adorable set of pin toppers - impossibly tiny sewing notions ... IN PINK! (You may have noticed them in my banner photo up top.)
I've bought many pins from this artist since I discovered her 3 years ago. And I've even managed to keep a few for myself. But these pins have become my go-to gift for crafty family members, dear friends and very special people who mean a lot to me.
Now, I'm normally a little shy when it comes to introducing myself (I know, you're probably surprised - but it's true. My natural tendency is to be introverted.) But I was so excited about starting my blog I wanted to tell her that I'd included her pins in my banner. So I emailed her and a conversation started.
(Are you serious? LOOK at this little mushroom!)
This past summer, my family spent several weeks in California very near - it just so happens - to where she lives. So at the risk of making her think I was a crazy stalker person, I asked if she was interested in meeting. She said yes.
(I'm dyin' here ... now I need to make myself a pink tomato pincushion! You know I'm gonna. See what she does to me?)
We got together a few times - for breakfast, hanging out, burgers and yes, crafting. I begged her to come to our place with all her pin-making paraphanelia just so I could watch her work.
(Dude ... !!!!!!)
I gotta tell you, it was the absolute weirdest, out-of-body, "pinch-me-I-can't-believe-I'm-sitting-here-with-HER" time of my life. HER as in SHE MADE ME SIGN UP FOR ETSY HER! (Can you tell I'm a little excited?!)
(Can't you just imagine THESE in your pincushion?)
I mean, of all the merchants and crafters with shops on Etsy from all around the w.o.r.l.d, SHE'S here. Drinkin' my Pellegrino and hangin' out with me.
She's amazing. She is Gigi Minor of Pinks & Needles.
I am just SO HONORED (you really have no idea) to have this opportunity to share Gigi's fabulous talent with you because she's designed this exclusive 4-piece pin set especially for one of my lovely readers.
Gigi suggested making something that reflected my style. Naturally, it had to be pink. :) My favorite beverage is tea and I always blog with a cup beside me. So she started with this sweet little cup of tea, complete with a tag and string from the teabag! (Omg, can you beLIEVE her?)
A tiny pale blue blossom that she was inspired to make when she noticed the blue flower in the fabric.
A spool of thread because, well, you know ...
And then the piece-de-resistance, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! This rose - the quintessential symbol of pretty, romantic, shabby chic, flower sugar ... everything that makes my heart so happy. (I watched her make this rose and I still don't know how she did it, but to quote a very famous Vulcan, "Fascinating" - except I have to add these ... !!!! ... even though Vulcans don't have emotions.)
She even fashioned a pincushion out of a little pink egg cup and a scrap of fabric from my stash.
She makes every single pin - one at a time - by hand. Incredibly tiny, detailed and no-holds-barred ADORABLE! And let me tell you she is a perfectionist. She takes great pains to ensure all her pins are flawless.
So here's the deal (still with me?). To enter the draw to win this 4-piece pin topper set PLUS eggcup pincushion - all hand-crafted by Gigi Minor - go to her Etsy shop, have a browse, come back and leave me a comment telling me which are your favorite designs ... and I'm warning you - it's impossible to have just one!
I've already done some Christmas shopping myself ... and it's possible everything I bought will end up in my stocking from Santa, just sayin'. ;)
Comments will close Wednesday Nov 23 6:00pm PST (west coast United States) and I'll announce the winner Thursday Nov 24th.
PLEASE double check your email address to make sure it's spelled correctly when you leave it for me.
And now I'm going to try to calm down and hope no one enters so Gigi will send the pins to me.
Kidding!
Probably ...
:)
Reader Comments (264)
I LOVE the Polka Dot Tea Party. They are all so cute. your were right, it was hard to choose.
one of my faves is the red tomato. it reminds me of the abundance of tomatoes that my husband grew this summer. we reaped a harvest well into the fall. when i asked him why they were so particularly abundant this year, he told me that he prayed over them everyday....blessed tomatoes!!!!
ps...i am new to your blog and have really enjoyed your writing and pics!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Mermaid Candy. So sweet.
OMG!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Like you said it is too hard to just like one. What delicate and beautiful work of art
OK - seriously delicious! I am torn between the pink cupcakes and the shabby mushie and the gumdrop mushrooms. Dear Lord! now I have to write a new Christmas List!!!
Her work is amazing. I love the everything especially the sewing machines! Her shop is incredible. I can see why you are so excited and happy about working with Gigi! The set she designed for this giveaway is beyond beautiful. I love the teacup and the spool, oh my!
Absolutely TOO adorable!!! What an amazingly creative gal. I love tea too, so I would say that the polka dot tea cup pins would be my fav. At least for this moment :-) Thanks for the most generous giveaway!!
Those are SO cute and could definitely push me over the pastel edge!
I laughed at robot butterfly and sighed at little aqua bird. These are amazingly beautiful. She was gifted with patience and talent. I would treasure one of these.
Janet
Pink sewing machine, flag bunting, and ALL the sewing items you highlighted above!! Seriously- swoon!!!! :) How lucky are you to know her!! :)
Wow! Thanks for giving me another reason to shop on Etsy. I love the Alice in Wonderland collection.
Wow...gorgeous work! I love the little pink sewing machine...it's amazing. :-)
Her work is so pretty! My fav has to be the pin sewing machine - LOVE!
Love the Alice in Wonderland set! Thanks for the give-away!
I love the gingerbread house. So so cute!
I love the teapot and cup and also the bunting. Just fabulous!
I love the little aqua sewing machine! Those are too cute-I've never seen anything like it before!
Without a doubt, for me, the Alice in Wonderland collection!! These little cuties are just out of this world!
They are all too cute for words. But I really fell in love when I saw the Rustic Pottery Inspired Vase with Roses. Uber romantic shabby chic!
You are so right Kristyne, so much gorgeousness but my fav has to be the black rabbit ~ cute!!
Vivienne x
Okay, you're right it's impossible to have just one favorite. But if you'd force me to choice one it'll be the Cat Pin Topper (just love cats;-) And about the etsy thing? I finally became a member last week to order some cute embroideries from Miss Tasha!
Hildy
So hard to choose! I'd have to say my favorites are the tomoato pincushion or the scissors...or maybe the robin's egg nest. I don't know - they're beautiful. Thanks for the chance - I absolutely LOVE the ones she made for the giveaway!
Oh, that Wine Lover's Cheese Plater is so very cute. I think I might have to spend some quality time at Gigi's Etsy shop.
Those are incredible! Love all the sewing things, love the vegetables, love the pine tree, love the tea cups, etc etc etc. Oh, you said one favorite? Does one of each work?
Thanks for the give-away opportunity. They are the cutest things ever! I had noticed them in your header and wondered where you got them.
i love love love the peppermint swirl lollipops, this is such a fabulous giveaway thanks!
I love the red polka dot tea set, actually, I love all of the adorable pins!
Oh boy....very hard to choose they are all yummy....but I just love love love the Baby Hedgehogs, they are the bomb!
I am smitten. First choice after looking and studying every single one, would be the little pknk sewing machine. Second would be the polka dot tea party. But to be perfectly honest, I absolutely love the one you are giving away. If I happen to win, and I really, really hope I do, then I would look forward to you coming to my house and visiting them. :) Kristy
I love the tiny sewing machine, the dress form, the tea pots, the gingerbread houses, the cotton candy...OMG I love it all!
Too cute!!! You were right - it was hard to choose just one. I would choose either the hedgehog or the vintage sewing machine.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Well how cute are you? I love Gigi's designs, I have a little hoarded stash myself! I love all her wonderful mushrooms. That's what I own!
EKkkkk!!!! ADORABLE!!! I like the strawberries, pink sewing machine and spools of thread the best....but would love them all :)
I love all ... but I heart this "Alice in Wonderland LIMITED EDITION Pin Topper Set 32/50"
WONDERFUL
Well, I have to say I think the robins eggs in the nest are so cute. Maybe its because I am already looking forward to Spring! Very cute.
You're right - so hard to choose! It's either the mini button cards or the spools of thread and I can't choose between them...please don't make me!! Thanks for the introduction to such a talented artist - I've bookmarked her Etsy shop so I can go back when I have some pennies! Thank you so much for the giveaway, the prize is incredible!
I just love the gingerbread houses, oh heck I love it all.
I liked the Polka Dot Tea Party the best, but now I don't see it on there. The Darkly Shabby Halloween Lollypop is cute. It is hard to choose.
How could you possibly choose? I'll take a shot at it - mannequins, sewing machines, scissors, button cards, thimbles etc etc
The mini thread spools and the button cards are just adorable! She is amazing!
Love these pins, my favorite is the sewing basket but it was very hard to choose, they are all lovely!
Well, I'm not sure if I should thank you for introducing me to her Etsy shop or not, LOL. I could be in some serious trouble here!!! I have been sitting and staring at the various choices and the thing that keeps running through my mind is "How does she do that???" OMG she is incredible. Your right, I love them all, but I just keep going back to two of them, being a tea drinker of course the little tea cup complete with tea bag has stolen my heart, as well and the polka dot tea set, BUT...if you tied me up and said choose one right now, I would pick the either one of the Sewing Baskets, I love the lighter one, as well as Granny's darker one equally. Incredible...*shaking my head here*, just incredible. Thanks so much for a chance to win this beautiful collection. Hugs... (OH and those little pastel button cards, complete with a hole in the top where they hang on the display rack!!! Incredible...)
Oh my ! How do you pick a favorite. Love the little sewing machines and the button cards and the thread spools and the little sugar cookies and the cupcakes.
They are all so adorable. Thanks for the chance to win some of these little masterpieces.
Yup, impossible to love just one. They are amazing! I do love Alice, however, so Alice in Wonderland it is =)
Ooooh!!! You are right, there are too many cute ones to call just one a favorite!!! I loved the small tomato, carrot and corn, and the dressform, and the aqua sewing machine, and the beautiful candy treats....I think I could go on!! Hope I get lucky!! Thanks for offering a darling giveaway!!
ALL OF THEM whooooo no choice making for me this is a great give away. Best blog give away ever , please enter me please please .
Hugs from over sea's
Vikki
So adorable! Love the little gingerbread houses!!
OMG, you got to meet Gigi? I'm so envious. ;-) I love everything in her shop but right now I'm loving her personalized buntings. SO CUTE!
They are all so adorable, I can see why she is your go to gal for pins! I really love the Christmas Cookies with sprinkles :)
Ok, so what to choose.... they are _all_ amazing!! I'd have to say I am partial to the Pumpkins, and I also think the Give-away tea set is adorable too!
Everything was gorgeous!!
I love the reels of thread!