After Christmas Give A-Way

After Christmas Give A-Way

I've never hosted a give a-way on my blog and thought it might be fun for my first one to be an after Christmas special.

The give a-way is pictured here; it is a brand new pattern that has not yet been added to my product line or to my website. The winner will receive the finished doll and her pooch pictured here.

If you would like to be included in the drawing for this cute little Annie and her pooch, simply send me an email with your name and address to - lilliemaescrafts@yahoo.com.

But....visit this page first so you will have a complete understanding of the give a-way -

Give A-Way Terms

The drawing will be on February 1, 2011.

Good luck everyone...and have a Very Merry Christmas

Brenda

My Christmas Gift to You

Problems with Newsletter

Hello everyone,

I sent out the December newsletter today and this evening noticed that several newsletters were returned that I believe should have gone through.

I believe there may be a problem with the software that sends out the newsletter. So....if you were suppose to receive a copy of the newsletter and failed to receive yours, please let me know so I can take the necessary steps to correct this problem.

Remember you can always go to my site, Lillie Mae's Crafts, and look for the "Newsletter Archives" to download this months' newsletter.

Wishing you a wonderful day,
Brenda

Sadie Sunflower

Sadie Sunflower

I wasn't expecting to finish this pattern quite so soon, but here she is. She's quick and easy to put together as well as her sunflower and her crow. Need a quick little gift?....then this is the Annie pattern for you.

To download this pattern either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Sadie Sunflower."

New Free Patterns

Hi Everybody,

Here's Lillie Mae's December newsletter complete with 3 new patterns and, as a bonus, an "Annie Speaks; Annie Journal." Curious???...check it out.

To download newsletter, either click on the link in the title above or click on the pictures.

Blessings everyone,
Brenda

December's Free Patterns

Don't miss the new free patterns .....

The December issue of the newsletter will be sent out within the week with more free patterns. So far I have 2 new patterns and I'm working on a third and will try to get it done in time for this newsletter.

Even if you don't subscribe to the newsletter, you can access it here; including the archives.

Have a great evening,
Brenda

Spice; Tiny Shelf Sitters

I love these little tiny Annie's. Made to sit perfectly on a shelf, curio cabinet, etc., you will love them too. They bring just the perfect amount of tiny prim to wherever you choose to display them. Made from the same pattern, they are easy to put together and require few supplies. Approximately 7 inches tall when finished.

To download this pattern, either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far left. Look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Spice; Tiny Shelf Sitters."

Enjoy everyone!!!

Your Help is Needed

All of you, who know me well, who have visited this blog often as well as my website, and who have read my newsletter know that I was never able to have children. Though my husband and I tried every recourse from fertility medication to artificial insemination, we had to come to terms with the fact that children of our own was not in our future.

I was so lucky though to have two wonderful nieces to whom I could spoil and love. Debbie, who is the oldest of the two, is the focus of this note. That's her and I, pictured above, at her wedding.

Our family has had, in the last couple of years, struggles that have shaken us to the very core. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, my husband had coronary artery bypass surgery, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and my youngest niece, Pam, was diagnosed with Grave's disease. However, Debbie's family was dealt the worst deal of all. Not only was Debbie herself recently diagnosed with diabetes, but both of her young children as well. When her youngest, Hayden, was diagnosed with diabetes she was told that the chances were very, very slim that her other child, Elisabeth, would be diagnosed with diabetes as well. However, it was just within a few short months that Elisabeth became another Juvenile Diabetes victim.

I just this evening received the following e-mail from Debbie and hope that you will all let her message into your hearts and minds. Look to your young children and be so grateful that they are healthy...something we all used to take for granted, but no longer do. Please help her and my family reach this one small goal. Thank you....from the bottom of my heart.

And here is her message:

Support Steve & Debbie Couch in the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes

This is the last email to remind you about our walk in Military Park in Indianapolis for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We are trying to raise $2000 and we have $75 so far. If you could please help us raise more money please visit our site and place a donation. If you know of someone else who would like to donate please forward this on. We only have till the end of this week to raise more money. Thanks so much!

Both of our children were diagnosed within the past year. Elisabeth who is 8 was diagnosed her last day of school and Hayden who is 6 was diagnosed this past October. We want to help raise funds for JDRF.

Many people think type 1 diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with type 1 diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by the disease.

The good news, though, is that JDRF is making steady progress toward a cure. In fact, JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date. And JDRF funds more type 1 research than any other charity worldwide.

I'm writing to ask for your support because now more than ever, EACH of us can be a part of bringing about a cure. Each of us can make a real difference

Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as you're able?

Together, we can make the cure a reality.

Thank you,

Steve & Debbie Couch

Please visit my Walk Web page if you would like to donate online or see how close I am to reaching my personal goal:

http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87720795

Follow this link to make a donation:

http://walk.jdrf.org/support.cfm?id=87720795

Drawing for FREE Scrapbooking Materials

Hi Everyone,

Well...I guess it's time to throw in the towel and finally admit to myself that scrap booking is just a craft that I can not get into. It's just a real shame I didn't figure this out BEFORE I bought out Hobby Lobby. I'm cleaning out my workshop and some stuff just has to go.

My birthday is Sept 20th so in celebration of my birthday and in the interest of cleaning out my workshop to make room for more "stuff" I'm having two drawings for all the scrap booking materials. There is also a round cutter that goes with each bag.

So....look carefully at the scrap bags and if you think you would like one of the bags, send your name and address along with a short paragraph on scrapbooking. It can be how you first got into scrap booking, the project you enjoyed the most, etc. Send to - lilliemaescrafts@yahoo.com

I'll draw out a name on October 15th and I will let everyone know then who the two lucky ladies are. Also please remember that these items are from my workshop so they are not new, probably not used or used very litte, but not new.

Have a great day everyone,
Brenda

Ben's Story

Good Morning Everyone,

As many of you know, my husband and I do a small amount of animal rescue here in our own small hometown. Consequently we have had to adopt several pets that we've rescued that were not able, for one reason or another, to be adopted out. As such, over our 27 years of marriage, Bob and I have had to help many of our "babies" cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

Recently we had to help Ben, our little rat terrier, cross over. I will miss my baby, my little shadow, forever. Please join me in reading about Ben and seeing his beautiful pictures. Either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Pet Stories" and click on "Ben's Story."

New Free E-Book

Good Evening Everyone,

I hope everyone's having a great evening. Here in Indiana it's rain, rain, rain...I'm so very sick of rain, lol.

I wanted to let you all know that I have a new free E-Book available for download. I've packed it full of tips, projects, and 2 full size patterns.

It's available on my sister site, Pins & Needles, on the tutorial page, Stitchin the Day Away.

And, once again, drop my site for more free patterns, Lillie Mae's Crafts.

Blessings everyone,
Brenda

Doodles Set #1

Here is a set of 6 delightful doodles. You may feel free to add these to another doodle, put them on a pillow or picture, or anything else you like. You may NOT sell the doodles themselves, but other than that, they are yours to use in any craft project you desire.

To download either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Doodles Set #1."

Love Blossoms Stitchery

A sweet little stitchery, perfect for a gift or for yourself. To download this pattern, click on the link above or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Love Blossoms Stitchery."

Teacup Nightlight

This is a beautiful shabby cottage teacup nightlight. You will love making these. You'll want to make more and more so I would suggest purchasing your teacups and saucers at thrift stores, rummage sales, flea markets, etc. Perfect for the kitchen, guest room, etc. An absolutely perfect little item for craft shows as they are quick to put together and require few supplies. I made this one in about an hour. Approximately 12 inches tall with the lampshade. For the instructions for this gorgeous teacup nightlight, click on the link above or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Teacup Nightlight."

And...don't forget to drop by my website "Lillie Mae's Crafts" where all patterns are absolutely FREE!!!!

Bits & Pieces, Annie Hair Designs

For those of you interested in designing your own Annies, I have just today finished the second in my free Bits & Pieces e-book series, Annie Hair Designs. Combine that book with my two free tutorials, Primitive Annie Rag Doll Tutorial and Facial Transference Tutorial as well as the first in this series, Bits & Pieces, Annie Doll Designs and you have your Annie business well on the way.

Just click on the link above and download your free e-book today.

Free Patterns Should All Be Working

Okay everybody. The computer problems have been fixed, however, there were a few pictures and patterns that were on my last computer that were completely lost when that computer went down. So....I did have to remove a few patterns, but just a few. If anybody comes across a pattern that has no picture or patterns, please email me and let me know. Otherwise, all the free patterns in the "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" should be working.

Again, let me invite you to visit my regular site, Lillie Mae's Crafts, which is now a totally free site. Come and check us out. We have e-patterns, e-books, as well as tutorials.

Blessings everybody...have a great day,
Brenda

More Free Patterns

NOTICE:

I'm terribly sorry that some of the pictures and patterns in the free patterns are not working. I'm having some computer problems and it's affecting my blog as well.

HOWEVER - - - My regular website, Lillie Mae's Crafts, is now an all FREE site. So until these patterns are fixed, why not jump on over to Lillie Mae's Crafts and pick up a few free patterns over there.

Pictured here are just a couple of my new patterns.

Spring Flower Shabby n Chic Can

Perfect for craft fairs and bazaars as it is quick to create and requires few supplies. This little flower arrangement is absolutely gorgeous...you will love this pattern.

To download this pattern, go to the columns on the far right. Look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Spring Flower Shabby n Chic Can."

Back up....Back up.

Yesterday I learned a valuable lesson when my computer went down...back up!!! It was always on my mind, always a thought in my head, but something I was always going to do tomorrow...when I could find the time. It is something I will ALWAYS find the time to do now.

I am a computer girl. Everything was on my computer, both personal and business, I put everything on my computer. Letters, journals, graphics, lists, memos, etc. Then, and most importantly, my business items such as patterns I had yet to finish or were finished but not yet put up on my site, my newsletters and the template for it, pictures, business forms and information, a web set that I paid dearly for and was still working on, software that helped me with my patterns, and the list goes on.

What has saved me from tying that noose around my neck, lol, is the fact that my husband, who does most of the work on my site, has most of the patterns that are up on my site on his own computer. So at least I did not lose those.

So, now that the shock is starting to wear off, I can now begin the healing process. The process of trying to accumulate once more what I can. I was fortunate, since my husband is completely obsessed with computers, we had an extra I can use. It is actually a newer computer than my old one was, but will take some time to get use to.

I will always find the time now to back up. In retrospect I have learned this; I will never take for granted that what I have now I will always have. In the blink of an eye it can be gone. I believe though that everything happens for a reason and until this happened I was not completely aware of exactly how much time I was spending on the computer. I think the phrase is "take time to stop and smell the roses." So I will get up, every now and then, from my computer and venture out into the world. So....look out world, here I come.

Celebration Annie

This Annie's body is made from a 32-ounce soft drink plastic bottle, and she stands approximately 17 inches tall. Holding a bouquet of roses makes her perfect as a gift for Mother's Day or Valentine's Day, but she would make a great gift no matter what the occasion or holiday. Quick and easy, even the roses, you will absolutely love this pattern.

To download this pattern either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Celebration Annie."

Tear Drop Teressa and Kittens

I designed this doll after a friend of mine. She loves animals as much as I do and so a doll who is shedding tears because she has to sell her beloved kittens seemed so appropriate.

To download this pattern, either click on the link above in the title or go to the columns on the far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts" and click on "Tear Drop Teressa and Kittens."

Tiny Valentines

These tiny valentines are perfect for so many projects. Use them by themselves for bowl fillers, to display on shelves, or add cords or ribbons and use as peg hangers. Add them to other valentine projects, on wreaths, etc.
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For this pattern click on the link above in the title or go to columns on far right, look for the column titled "Free Lillie Mae's Crafts Patterns" and click on "Tiny Valentines."