Things I Love Thursday: PRESENTS! (and Giveaways)

I have a lot to be grateful for.  The end of each year always causes some retrospect, doesn't it?  I did a lot of travelling to teach, met so many wonderful people, received an art grant, curated a gallery show, joined Handmade House, was juried into Dimensions once again, and was published 5 times in three different countries.  Isn't that unreal!?  I'm booked in to 2018, and feel like I have so much on the horizon.  I am so very grateful for all the support.  I'm proud to be supporting my family financially as well by doing something I love - something so personally rewarding and something completely addicting at that! : )  I'm grateful, though I am so very busy around the clock, to be working from home.  It's a big juggle to have a full house and a full time career, but I do love the challenge of working on demand for whomever needs me at the moment.

I could go on and on.. but thank you for listening!  : )  And with gratitude comes the desire to give.  And so, a giveaway it is!  Awe heck, how about three?  Here are the draw prizes.

#1
A signed back issue of Quilter's Connection.  Inside is my article on Postcards.  With it comes a postcard kit.  IF the chosen winner does not sew, the kit can be substituted for a blank art print card with envelope.

#2
A signed back issue of Stitch from the UK.  Inside is my article on Threadpainting.  With it comes an art print card of mine, blank inside with envelope.

#3
A signed issue of the current Noro knitting magazine.  Inside is my interview about stitching with Noro yarns.  With it will come some yarn samples in small skeins.  If you are not a fibre artist, you can request an art print card to accompany the magazine instead.

did I say 3?  Nah.  Let's go with 4.

#4
A signed copy of Machine Quilting Unlimited.  Inside is my article on Threadpainting.  With is comes an art print card of mine, black inside with envelope.

Wait - five.

#5

A 'Wish You Were Here' Prairie Postcard that I made.  Signed and numbered on back.  : )
I won't show you an image of what I select to send.  It will be a surprise.

There ya go!

Here's what you need to do to enter:

- Leave a comment here, ensuring you don't sign in as 'anonymous' or I'll never be able to find you.

- Tell me about what makes you feel good to give, whether it's a fond memory or an annual charity you support, how you helped out a friend or was kind to a stranger.  It's not meant to boast, it's meant to spread some stories of warmth and love in a pretty tough world full of tragic news.  Let's inspire each other.  Please do enjoy reading all the stories!  Be inspired.

*** The best story is not necessarily the winner.***  

We'll will pick five random names by Friday midnight.  I'll contact you all the following day and mail everything out Monday morning.  Hopefully you'll get things in time to put under the tree.  ; )

I'll go first.  My story?  If I have coins in my pockets, I can't walk past buskers or anyone on the street asking for change.  I make a point of saying hello, visiting or listening to a song, and emptying my pockets... and always when my children are with me.  They will dig up dimes and nickels from the van to give.  I think it's important to teach them to be kind humans.  I show them how easy it is to do, and that everyone deserves a smile and some friendship.  Everybody matters.

Last week, without my kids in tow, I was in a rush to an evening meeting.  I LIED to a young man I passed on the street and I said, 'no. sorry, I have no change'.  I was rushing, and I lied.  I felt SO shameful about it.  After the meeting, thank goodness he and I happened to crossed paths again!  Serendipity.  I was so relieved - I went straight up to him and told him I lied to him.  I told him I was sorry for rushing past, and I gave him my change.  I told him I was so thankful that we met up again.

That'll teach me.  I've never been a good liar.

So, you know, little or big - even little things are big to someone, right?  Tell me something happy, and good luck!  ENTER AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE, but include a happy story.  xo

Stitch U.K.

I have been waiting and waiting to tell you the exciting news.  Last year, while sitting at the kitchen table flipping through the UK Embroiderers' Guild Stitch magazine, I received an email notification.  It was the editor of Stitch, introducing herself, her magazine, and the regular article feature called, 'From Sketch to Stitch'.  She wondered if I had heard of the magazine, and would I be interested in writing an article?

I nearly fell over backwards.  I snapped a quick cell phone photo of the magazine, open to that particular article on my lap and wrote back within seconds, "Yes! and Yes!"   Is that crazy serendipity or what!?  What are the odds?

That was a year ago.  I was knee deep in the earliest stages of our home studio renovations and had to politely request a later date.  How embarrassing, but she was so very kind and agreed.  In September I finally wrote my article for, 'From Sketch to Stitch' and sent it in.  Last week the published issue arrived in my mailbox!  I am over-joyed.

UK magazine publication.  Stitch issue #93

I had a couple emails prior to seeing it from people in other countries.  They all said, 'what a great looking article.'  That made the wait even more exciting.  I have to say, I think they are right.  I opened my copy and gasped.  It looks REALLY good.  The printed colours are perfect, the photos are large and clear.  WOW

I just don't even know what to say.  This is a pretty big deal for me personally.  It's beautiful.  It's a magazine I highly admire.  Stitch has published so many well respected embroidery artists.  It's an absolute honour to be in these pages.

Thank you Stitch!  : )

Usually I purchase this magazine in Saskatoon at McNally Robinson Booksellers.  It's also at Indigo across Canada. Unfortunately, this particular issue has not made it to Saskatoon.  I had my issues mailed to me directly from overseas, but I have been keeping an eye out locally.  Too bad!  I did put in a request at both our big bookstores, so we'll see what happens.  In the mean time, I'm awaiting an order directly from the UK Embroiderers' guild.

Stitch (UK) magazine, article  published on pages 18-21 of Issue #93

If you would like a copy but cannot find it locally, they ship worldwide.  You can find the link HERE if you are interested.

WOW~  They aren't kidding when they put 'the WOW factor' on their cover.  !

Winners Announced, & One More Giveaway

Thanks for all your guesses!  I gathered all my postcards up - I'm sure I'm not missing any.  I counted... There are one hundred and six that I own from other people.  You thought there were way more than that?  I swapped madly for 2 years but then fell out of it as my art life began to boom.

Congratulations to Terri (yay!) who guessed 100, and to Andy Lloyd Williams (woohoo!) who guessed 111.  You will be getting a one year digital subscription to Canada's own Quilter's Connection magazine!  I'll need some info from you to pass on the people at QCmag.  You can email me at Monika@MySweetPrairie dot ca, and I will get your contact info at that time.

AND NOW...

IF you happen to be on Facebook, look me up at My Sweet Prairie Studio there.  

I'm having another giveaway there.  This time it's for a signed copy of the issue I was published in, along with a bundle of fibre art goodies for making postcards.  

To win, you'll need to guess the number of cards that I have made - ever.  

That would be all of the swapped cards plus my Wish You Were Here series and a few more here & there.  

See ya there!

So Summer, So Busy!

I'm really surprised that I'd have anything to blog about.  I fully expected to be in summer mode but things just keep happening.  Fiber Art Now magazine is on the stands in Saskatoon now which is great.  I'm going to pick up a few more copies (they had the call for entry that I made it into).  The very next day, Embroidery Canada magazine came out with the article I wrote last year for it.  What a surprise!  It's the magazine for the National guild... the same way CQA has their own publication.  (Sorry - not available in stores...)

Exploring the Prairies in Thread, Embroidery Canada magazine, Summer 2013 (3 pages)

Thanks so much to the members who have sent in emails to say hello!  That is so exciting - no one has ever done that before.  It was very kind of you to take the time to send a message.  : )

My lovely assistant Kari has now spent four days helping me out this summer.  It's been SO great to have her.  She put together embroidery kits for future classes, helped out my son with his projects, and did a few hours of slicing wool for me.  I bought all these rug hooking supplies from the Manitoba Craft Museum Stash Sale when I was in WInnipeg.  I look at the wool and think, 'oh if only it was sliced and ready to go so I can just make something!'.  Enter Kari...

Kari in the Kitchen

She worked on the counter because it was a good height.  It sure looked like she was making noodles!  ; )  So that's what I told the kids... When she was done, I had bags and bags of noodles sorted by color.  Oh wow - that was SO worth it.

courtesy of My Sweet Prairie's Kari ; )

I even got to run out to the dollar store for bags and pick up some take out lunch for the kids too.  I tell you, hiring someone to help me in the studio instead of hiring a babysitter or housekeeper makes so much sense.  Things are getting done and I feel like I have more free time for my children.  The children come first...

My oldest has his fist summer job.  My girl is enthralled with catching bugs and coloring.  My middle boy has dove full force into leatherworking.  He is so great at it!  He stamps and stains them, buffs and sews the leather, and then attaches the hardware like buckles and snaps all on his own.  Super!

Today, Kari agreed to help me do some taping for video tutorials.  (I'm caving to your pressure!)   Oh MAN was that hard!  We will keep working on it... but in the mean time, please enjoy these out takes.  It's the best we have to offer at this point.  lol  It's only 2 minutes and all unusable.  There's about 17 more minutes of unusable, but this is all you get for now.  : )

Have a fabulous weekend
...and stay away from those mosquitoes!

Mastering the Art of Embroidery

Pinch me if I'm dreaming.

Imagine:  a well know lacemaker for the future Queen of England picked your stitching to show off in an embroidery source book that will be permanently all over the world?

I am not dreaming.  It really happened!
I have been waiting FOREVER to announce this one.

Here's my story.  Last year I was 'scouted' by people gathering photos of embroidery for a new book.  That's very cool!  They came to me.  You have to love the internet for that.  However, what's even more amazing is the connections this book has.  The book's title is, "Mastering the Art of Embroidery".  If that isn't prestigious enough, you should know that this book is by Sophie Long.  Who is Sophie Long you may ask?  Sophie is a well known graduate of the Royal School of Needlework in the U.K. who was selected to embroidery on the wedding dress for Kate Middleton.  Kate is the Duchess of Cambridge and married to Prince William.  She will be next up on the throne as the Queen of England (if I have my facts straight).

stock photo online... photographer unknown to me

Sophie's book is now out and she informed me that that images of my work have been selected for inclusion in it!  Did your jaw drop?  Mine did.  I feel so honored, I just cannot explain it nor contain it.

Hot off the U.K. press:  Mastering the Art of Embroidery by Sophie Long

I'm not sure which cover was chosen, but I found this too... It is very different from the first.  Perhaps this is the North American cover.  (Anyone know?)

I pre-ordered this book months ago, so I don't have it in my hands yet.  I have no clue which images were selected.  I'll let you know when it arrives.  Trust me on that one!  I am equally honored to be among the pages with other highly esteemed embroiderers like Karen Ruane (known for her white on white) and the ever-creative Urban Threads...

PINCH ME!  Thank you so much Sophie for selecting pieces of prairie made by my hands.  What an incredible honor.  (and YES this book is available across Canada.  I just verified that McNally Robinson's is expecting it this week along with all other national booksellers.)

This Was Worth the Wait!

Over a year ago, I was invited to be a feature artist in the lovely pages of A Needle Pulling Thread magazine.  Late last summer I wrote up the article to meet the deadline.  That feels like soooo long ago!  This was worth the wait.  Here it is!  Copies have just arrived at my doorstep!

www.aneedlepullingthread.com

a peek inside...

There are three pages loaded with pictures.  It's such a beautiful spread!  Wow.  Pinch me.  I had to re-read the article because I didn't remember what I wrote!  I like it.  I like it better than what I have planned to say tomorrow.  lol  Maybe I should just crack it open and just read to everyone instead?  hehe

Creative House in Saskatoon will have over a dozen copies to sell at the open house event tomorrow (11:30 to 2:30... I speak at 1pm and will demo shortly after).  McNally Robinson Booksellers will have them in Saskatoon and Winnipeg, as will Indigo Books across Canada.  Our very own Wool Emporium should get them too!  When everyone runs out, I'm sure you can get back issues.  I've ordered lots.  : )

Spring 2012 - hot off the press!

To the editors Carla and John at A Needle Pulling Thread magazine:

 a BIG WARM THANK YOU for such a lovely honor!  

The article looks wonderful and I am so proud to have this accomplishment under my belt.  WOW.