some awards are better late than never

I'm pretty late to this party! I was nominated twice for 2 different awards. I'm going to go through them all in one post. Hey, you are lucky to even get one post. Sorry y'all. (yep, I'm channeling my days of living in the South)

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Heather at Handmade By Heather B and Joanne (who I call Jo) at Sew Little Time. Thank you, ladies, for nominating me! I am honored.

This award was is for blogs with less than 200 followers. There are 11 questions you have to answer from the person who nominates you. You are supposed to then give 11 random facts about yourself, and then nominate 11 other blogs. I think everyone I know has received this award, so I'm not going to nominate anyone. Sorry. :/

I'll start with Heather's 11 questions:

1. If you didn't spend your money on sewing stuff, what would you buy?
I would probably buy handbags and shoes. A woman can never have too many of either.

2. What song/album/artist are you really into right now?
I love Automatic Loveletter (who's singer, Juliet Simms, was on the Voice but we've been listening to them for years)  and The Material. I love strong female vocalists.

3. Is there some place you must visit or your life will not be complete?
I would love to visit Europe. I hope I can one day (especially Germany).

4. What's your favorite naughty snack/treat?
My favorite naughty snack is probably Oreos. They are so tasty, but not homemade- and they aren't really something you can make at home. I've tried, but it hasn't worked well.

5. Who are your pretend boyfriends? I know you have least one!
Well this could get me into trouble....  When I was 16 it was Val Kilmer. Nowadays, it is Adam Levine (but I will deny it).

6. What's the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?
I don't think I've really had anything all that weird happen to me, so I will tell you about the most surprising thing. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter I worked at a fabric store in Alexandria, Virginia. A lady came in to buy some fabric and I chatted with her about my soon to be born child while I cut her fabric. The next day I went to punch my time card in the break room and found an envelope on the pin board with my name written on the front. Inside was a check for $100 with well wishes for my baby. It being a check, I had her name and address. She was the wife of a very prominent senator.  She had been through some tough times and yet had taken the time to leave a gift for a random person she met one day. I'm sure it was a small gesture to her, but it was a huge one to me.  I wrote her a letter, thanking her. I have thought about this many times in my life. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers.

7. What is your favorite guilty pleasure song? You know the one that isn't "good" but you love it anyway.
I loved the self titled 8 track John Travolta when I was a teen. We didn't have many options, just whatever we could find at Goodwill (so I had Three Dog Night Naturally, Carol King Tapestry, and John Travolta). Razzamatazz and Never Gonna Fall In Love Again were my favorites.

8. What's your favorite pattern?
My favorite pattern is the old NYNY pattern, McCalls 4730. I made the jacket, top and skirt (exact same colors and everything) when I was 16. Yes, I wore this back then, but only to church. I still have it hanging in my closet. I wish I had tried the pants. They look great!

9. What movie have rewatched the most?
I think I've rewatched Cool as Ice more than any other movie (but that means I've watched it 4 or 5 times). It has an actual story line under all the Vanilla Ice-ness, and it is also a comedy if you watch it with the right mindset. Mostly, though, it has great sentimental value. My brother and I used to quote lines from the movie in jest.

10. If you had the skills to sew anything what would it be?
I'm not really sure. I think I probably have the skills to sew just about anything I set my mind to, it is my self doubt that holds me back.

11. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Wow. This might be the hardest! My favorite thing about myself would have to be my eyes. I love when they become really green (although it mostly happens when I cry and my eyes are all red, oops).


Jo's 11 questions are:

1.  What is your favourite film of all time and why?
My favorite film is Summer Magic. We always fast forwarded through the title song, sung by the mother in the middle or so of the movie, as well as the ugly bug ball song.  I also really love The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band and The Happiest Millionaire. I love the old live action Disney movies!

2. What kind of holidays do you like- beach? city break? raving in Ibiza? Do tell!
The beach, for sure! I love the ocean air, the sound of the water, and the sand between my toes. If there is sunshine, it is like heaven.

3 I spend a lot of time commuting- if you had a spare hour on the train, what would you do?
I would read a good book. I don't get much time to read for fun these days.

4. What is the best sewing book you have read?
I haven't read many sewing books so I can't answer this one.

5.  Knits or wovens?
Chanel boucle. That is all.

6 What is your favourite blog?
Posie Gets Cozy Blogger Alicia Paulson is such a wonderful creator of beautiful things. When she writes it is like poetry. Her pictures are beautiful and welcoming. She makes the most delicious looking foods. I found her blog years ago- probably the first blog I ever read.  I sometimes wish I could live her life (but that might seem a little creepy, even though it really isn't).

7 What other crafts do you do and which is your favourite?
I don't do many other crafts. Sewing is my favorite.

8 What is your karaoke song?
Toy Soldier by Martika

9. Sweet or savoury?
Sweet.

10. What is your favourite accessory?
My mom's bead necklace. It probably isn't worth much monetarily, but it is priceless to me.

11. If I gave you £50 ($78 US, $82 Aus) to spend on fabric, patterns, or craft supplies, what would you make from it? Links please!

I would definitely buy this green silk jersey from Mood. I would make a wrap dress DVF style.

Now for the 11 random facts. Umm...

1. I've never had any pets.
2. I prefer to be hot rather than cold. No one ever seems to feel the same.
3. I always wanted to be a famous singer.
4. Or a famous model.
5. I belt out songs in the car. I just can't help it.
6. I love my Apples- iPhone, iPad, MacBookPro, iMac- I just need a Mac Mini (we had one but sold it when we were desperate during Jeff's unemployment).
7. I hate lima beans.
8. My first car was a yellow Plymouth Horizon. The doors didn't work, so we had to go in one side and out the other. It had an 8 track player. Like this, but yellow.

9.  My favorite vegetable as a child was cooked spinach.
10. My 2nd child is named after Alannah Myles. I was planning to spell her name the same way, but when the nurse came in and asked how it was spelled it came out Alona. It just happened! My husband was not pleased with the unexpected change.
11. I am one of 11 children- all from the same parents.


Now for the other award. I received the Super Sweet Blogger Award from Sandra at Sewist Stitch and Sally at Sally Bee Makes. Thank you so much ladies!

The rules for this award
1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated you.
2. Answer 5 Super Sweet Questions.
3. Include the Super Sweet Blogging Award in your blog post.
(I'm skipping 4 and 5.)
4. Nominate a baker's dozen (13) other deserving bloggers.
5. Notify your Super Sweet nominees on their blogs.

The 5 Super Sweet Questions

1. Cookies or cake?
Cake, and I prefer it with very little or even no icing.

2. Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate - except when it comes to ice cream, then I choose vanilla.

3. Favorite sweet treat?
Cheesecake is my favorite of all time, but I do love me some ice cream.

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?
Every single waking moment.  I have a problem.

5. Sweet nickname?
I hate when people call me honey and I don't ever use it in reference to anyone else. I don't think I've had a nickname since I was 5 and I don't really use them for other people. I'm weird like that. My parents were all about nicknames so I'm not sure what happened.


If you made it through all of that, thank you!