It's 12:30 p.m. and I am still in my pj's. No work today (oh happy day!) and I decided to take my extra day and just have some fun sewing. Teeny projects like this mug rug, that I can finish in a couple hours. I found the tutorial for it at Pleasant Home where Jodi is showing us all cute stuff we can make with our fabric scraps.Don't let the mug fool you, I'm not ready for snow. Ugh! You can also see the pretty tea towel I won in a giveaway from Elizabeth at The Late Bloomer. Her own design and it's made with fabrics she designed herself. Gorgeous. I think that's next on my project list for today♥

I am having such fun just having this extra day, a bonus of sunshine and cold winds that keeps me inside doing what I love. I have already baked bread, sewed this scrappy mug rug, and done a little cleaning. Guess it's time for a shower and then a few errands, but I fully intend to come home and play in the scraps some more. What would you do with a free day?

A Gorgeous Give-away

My dear friend Becky has exciting news. She has designed her first sewing pattern and it is a beauty!  Becky's designs have always been incredibly beautiful. She is an expert seamstress and her choices of color and print are to die for.  Everything she makes just makes my heart happy and this darling bag is no exception.

 She is giving away one of her beautiful Sophies Bloomer bags in your choice of teal or pink.....

She is also drawing for one of her wonderful burlap runners (wouldn't that just make your Thanksgiving table special?) and a third winner will recieve a  free copy of the pattern.

Congratulations Becky! I am so happy for you. Your bag is wonderful. I wish you all the success in the world with this new venture:>) Head on over there right now and throw your name in the hat. There are lots of chances to win!

Catching up

Another week gone and can you believe November is knocking at the door? The garden is winding down, the last of the roses stand out from the backdrop of some perennial mums that I have had for at least 20 years.

 They aren't as full as the potted varieties but they come up every year and I love the rich color.

 My last soft pink rose, I wish I had gotten the picture before it began to lose petals, but I still found it beautiful...

And look what came in the mail this week! I won one of those fantastic CSN store gift card give-aways from Stacey's Place, a wonderful quilter I just found. Thank you Stacey! I have been wanting white dishes for ages. Do I need white dishes? Define need;>)  Free money means guilt free shopping in my book, so I got them.  Twelve plates means I have enough for a crowd, and they mix with everything. I am looking forward to dolling these up with all sorts of pretty napkins and table accessories, and I got them in time for Thanksgiving.  Who would think plain white plates could be so exciting?  I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Victoria will be home from college and Lauren will have her new apartment to decorate and I know she will want my help! Fun. What are you looking forward to this coming season?

Note to self:  Quit overindulging in sweets. You know you feel a little queasy after you indulge. The guilt isn't worth the momentary pleasure and if your body is a temple, well, lets just say the building program needs to come to an end.

Reply to self: Message recieved...but it seems like you could have reminded me of that before I baked the Apple Spice cake with chai spice cream cheese frosting just now.

Dang.

Sponsors and other ways to keep the fun going...

I thought it would be a good thing to discuss some of the ways we can make blogging pay without getting all "in your face" every time you visit.  I know that some don't like the commercialization of blogging, and I have been in that boat too. I hate the pop up ads I see when I go to some blogs! I struggled a long time with whether I should try anything that would make any money. I can tell you I am still far from raking in the dough here, but in our situation (underemployment) every little bit helps and I hope I have added some things that benefit more than just myself.  First, I am selling some small ads on my right sidebar. My latest advertiser is Sky Reve Fabrics.

 She has a beautiful etsy shop and some great deals on fabrics, including a sale section and free shipping within the U.S. on some of her items. I like to support the small cottage industries that have sprung up in blogland. We are all just regular people trying to make a litle pin money, kind of like our grandmothers did with the eggs they sold:>)

I also have an Amazon widget on my sidebar. Most of the books I have recommended are authored by bloggers. there are some very talented ladies out there. I just bought two of Sandy Coughlins Reluctant Entertainer books. One for myself and one for a friend who is starting a hospitality ministry in her church. It is fantastic. I will be passing mine on to my daughters. It is full of great tips and debunks all the reasons you think you can't entertain.  I get a small percentage when you use the widget to purchase from Amazon, even if you purchase something other than the items on my list! It's an easy and unobtrusive way to make a little money for the extras. If you want one of your own just click on the get the widget link on the bottom of my widget.

The third way I am making a little cash is through Swagbucks. I have their search bar on my computer, and their search widget at the bottom of my page. I have only been using it for a couple months and I already have enough "swagbuck" points for about $15 in gift cards. I will probably get Amazon gift cards, but there are lots of different kinds available from Starbucks, to itunes to travelocity and more. You can also use them for merchandise straight from swagbucks themselves. If you sign up with my referal code, yup, I get a little something out of it.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but to me, these ways of making the blog pay are some of the least invasive for you, my readers, and I don't see any reason not to make the most of our blogging.  I get to help out some small business women, and the other widgets are just there if you want to use them..

Please tell me, what do you think of subtle advertising on blogs? Would you do it?