Thank you. Words that don't seem to express nearly the gratitude that fills my heart after the last 14 days of this blog book tour for Because I Love You Sew.

The last stop on the tour is right here, today.

This book was most certainly a labor of love.

Many people think that sewing and design work is my "full time" job. Truth is, I have a long time career working in higher education and the environmental field which is where I spend the majority of my "work" time. This "Two Peas" business of mine is my passion. It's my creative outlet.

It's where I get to dream and imagine, draw and paint, create and sew, write and share. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have that outlet. It fulfills me and I'm so thankful that God created ART. I love it.

And I love this creative community that I am a part of - you are beautiful and you fill my heart to the brim.

So when I sat down to write this book, I did it on the weekends. After bedtimes late at night and during nap times on my days off. There were tears. And sleepless nights. And a lot of ripping out seams on stitches that just didn't work.

And in the end, came this. A book. With my name on it. Where I shared stories about my kids and our lives. Projects that I have loved making and I hope you enjoy making them too.

I am incredibly humbled that anyone besides my Mom has purchased this book and equally humbled and grateful for the kind words and reviews this book has received.

I want to tell you THANK YOU - with a big giveaway.I'm offering a signed copy of the book, Because I Love You Sew. A trio of my Two Peas patterns. A handful of wonderful threads from Aurifil. A pretty blue stack of fabrics courtesy of Dear Stella fabrics. A package of InsulBright thanks to the Warm Company. AND I'm giving away the handmade sample of the Sweet Tweet Bag from the book made in Bari J.'s gorgeous fabrics and made by me.

How to Enter:

1) Leave a comment here on this post sharing with me your most special handmade gift you have ever given.

2) For an extra chance, follow me on Instagram (trishpreston) and repost about this giveaway. Come back here and leave a comment that you have shared on Instagram and be sure you leave your Instagram name.

3) For one more chance, share this post on your Facebook page and tag Two Peas in a Pod and leave a comment that you have done so.

This giveaway will be open until DECEMBER 27TH, 2014. I will choose a winner using Random.org. Open only for domestic shipping in the US.

BUT for my international friends - we are having a 2nd giveaway for a signed copy of the book only so that you aren't left out.

Thank you for being a part of my community of friends. Be sure to visit all the previous stops of the tour and enter in the other giveaways for Because I Love You Sew.

Because I Love You Sew Bloggers Book Tour December 1st: Come visit with C+T Publishing December 3rd: My sweet friend, Heather Jones December 4th: Lovely Caroline Hulse of Sew Caroline December 8th: My creative friends at Generation Q Magazine December 9th: Quilty and fabulous Sew Cal Gal December 10th: My mentor, Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom December 11th: Fellow twins Mom Alison Little of Little Green Thread December 12th: Dear friend and amazing artist, Bari Ackerman of Bari J Designs December 13th: My industry partner (and fav sewing machines) Bernina December 14th: Love this girl! Karen Davis of Celebrate Life with Us

On the 1st day of my 14 Days of Doing Nothing Before Christmas...my true love gave to me...a plate of chicken and stuffing. Ok, not what you were expecting. But my hubby did make dinner last night and it was pretty good. And if you recall, he asked me to try and not do "anything" for 14 days. He wanted me to just relax with no deadlines or rushing around or delivering orders or whatever...I thought I'd blog about my 14 days to see how good I do.

On day 1:

Took the kids to school
Stopped at the coffeehouse where our art guild displays for sale items and set up my display.
Stopped at Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte - Venti size. Had to do it. It fills my tummy with happiness.
Stopped at McD's for a yogurt parfait and fed it to the baby.
Took care of business for our rental property. Of which I wish would be struck by lightening and burn to the ground. Long story - someday I'll share that "brilliant" business idea of mine of buying this place so I wouldn't have to work full time. Brilliant...not so much.
Stopped at thrift store. Bought 4 sweaters to make this

Went home. Ate lunch. Made 12 of these upcycled wrist cuffs / coffeecup cozies.
Went to work at my "office on campus" for 4 hours.
Home. Baby in bath and to bed.
Made 16 more wrist cuffs / coffeecup cozies.

I think I may have a problem. That was only day 1. I mean, there weren't any BIG projects in there.

And I did find this at the thrift store.

This is a Pendleton Vintage wool coat with a real rabbit fur collar. In the thrift store. It's in like new condition. Crazy. Just beautiful.

I wore it this morning but someone told me they thought it was worth a lot of money. Is it? It's really cute. But I could sure use some Christmas money so I'm going to list it on ebay and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

I'll be back with "Day Two" tomorrow. So far today - I'm doing much better at doing "nothing". (wink! yeah, right!)

And these little wrist cuffs / coffeecup cozies - these along with a gift card to your local coffeehouse would make a super teacher gift or for a friend, etc.

And I'm going to list some over in my etsy store shortly for $2 plus $1 shipping. A few more complicated ones will be $3.

DON'T FORGET!! Go here to the previous post and leave a comment to win this adorable bucket hat from Bows and Blossoms. AND you can still enter to win a purse, ipod accessory bag, owl pin and pattern from me over at Where Women Create until December 14th.

How's your day going so far? Hope it's a good one!

xoxo,

Trish

because I love YOU sew

Day one of my 14 Days of Doing Nothing Before Christmas...