Freschetta is Proud To Support Pink with a Giveaway

Freschetta Pizza is Proud to Support Pink!

October is National Breast Cancer awareness month and Freschetta is proud to support pink and do their part to support research to fight Breast Cancer with project "Make This Pizza.  Make a Difference".  From September 25-October 31st when you purchase specially marked packages of Freschetta pizzas and Artisian Pizza Crusts you will be helping them reach their goal of a $50,000 donation to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  These specially marked pizzas packages are printed with codes that you can enter on www.ProudToSupportPink.com.  For each code entry, Freschetta will donate $1 to the support breast cancer research, up to $50,000.  How great is that!

Freschetta wants everyone to get excited about this and join the bandwagon to support research.  What a simple idea that can make a BIG difference.  You feed your family with Freschetta and $1.00 is donated because of it.

Not only are they donating $1.00 for each pizza, they're also giving away 50 pink iPod shuffle players each week in October as part of a giveaway on the site to encourage participation and continuous sharing of the program.  In addition, 50 pink iPod  Shuffle players will be donated every week in October to four cancer centers around America for the patients!

As an added bonus Freschetta is providing the goods for me to have a giveaway for Ya'll too!  One of my readers will win a coupon for 1 FREE Freschetta Pizza and 2 pink headphones that will be perfect for your own ipods.  That's right not 1 but 2 headphones.  One is for you to keep and the other is to giveaway to a friend or family member!

As a reminder girls, or guys you remind your girls,  early detection is so important.  I just had my mammogram last month.  It was fast and simple and painless.  I was one of the lucky ones.  Nothing was detected and I'm good for another year.  Many, way too many women aren't so lucky.  Please help support research for a cure for breast cancer any way you can.

 Now for the rules to enter the giveaway (you know we gotta have 'em):

How about some extra entries?  Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each one, telling me what you did.  If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

• {1 extra entries} Become a GFC follower of Cotton Pickin Cute.  If you are a follower just leave me a comment.
• {3 extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog.
• {1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
• {1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.
• Like or Friend Cotton Pickin Cute on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.  Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Oct 7th, at 11:59pm EST.

Disclosure:  As a member of the Freschetta Fresh Connection Team I was provided the product to review and to share with my readers but all opinions are strictly my own. 

Cozy New Pillows for a Cozy Fall Spot

I made a fun primitive fall pillow yesterday.  Can you tell I had Linus from Charlie Brown on my mind.  I also made the other pillow a few weeks ago but forgot to show you.

 

I made the bigger rectangle pillow in the back in a pillow sham style with flat edges.  The chenille fabric is so soft.  It was upholstery fabric that I bought at 60% at Joanns a month or so ago.  It only took a half  a yard.  I  already had a tightly packed down filled pillow to put  in it.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

This is the back (or front, whichever you prefer).  It's actually the same fabric but just the opposite side.  I just  thought one side was as pretty as the other.  I don't even remember which side was the right side at the store.  I think it was the other side.

I lightly stuffed this little square primitive pillow that I made yesterday. The top was all hand stitched.  Only front and back were machine stitched at the edges. 

Best of all it was a no cost project because I had all the scraps already.  The little leafy berry print was a scrap of the softest flannel that I stuck on top of a woven plaid gingham fabric.  For the top piece I used our trusty drop cloth fabric, left over from a drape project I never posted about.  I used some old tea stained muslin for the back. The orange plaid was from an old shirt.  

So it just goes to show you can make something from nothing.  

Just look around and see what you've got to work with.  You might be surprised.

 Here's a couple of close ups of the way I edged the pillow.

To make this pillow it's simple.  

• Cut 2 pieces of fabric the same size.  I measured the pillow form that I had and measured out an extra 2" for each side plus a 1/2" for the seam allowance.  So I added an extra 5" total for width and 5" total for length.
• Next with right sides of the fabric together sew 3 sides together with 1/2" seam allowance.  Partially stitch the 4 side (narrow end) leaving an opening to insert pillow form.
• Insert pillow, centering it with 2" around each side.  I put a pin in to keep the pillow from shifting.
• Using your zipper foot.  Stitch as close to pillow as possible
• And finally turn under edges of open end and slip stitch closed.

 Give it a try.  It's really much easier than you think.  And if you have any questions, just asked, I'll try to be a little more clear.




I'll be linking up with parties throughout the day and listing them below:

I'm having a ball with fall ya'll.  How about you?

OX's....Tracy :)

A Mermaids Crafts is Having a Cricut Giveaway

A friend of my is celebrating her 6 month anniversary of blogging.  It's Lisa @ A Mermaids Crafts.  And in that short of time Lisa is almost up to 700 followers.  Wow!  She's a sweetheart with a Cricut loving soul.  She designs beautiful cards and is so creative.  I hope you stop by and visit her just to get to know her but she's also having a giveaway you'll enjoy.

Happy Blogiversary Lisa!!!

My Vintage Inspired Apron Reminds me of Jane Austin

Do you remember this apron?

This was the apron I made last year.  It's a one of a kind.  I used lots of vintage handkerchiefs, vintage doilies, handmade flower and an soft old sheet.   I can't imagine cooking in it but what a special hostess apron it would make.  Or perhaps a hostess gift for someone special that you have your upcoming holiday dinner with.

If I was a vendor at a fair or market or had my own little shop I would have loved to kept this one.

I'm taking orders for specialty aprons and pillows.  If you're interested in having something totally unique made, I love to create one for  you.  You can also visit my Etsy store, Cotton Pickin Cute here.  I'm just starting to list some new/old things.  You can email me here @ cottonpickincute@hotmail.com,  if you'd like to talk about something you'd like that's not in the store now.  Take a peek at these items in my shop.  (sorry about the big spaces - blogger doesn't seem to be cooperating with my photos today).

I've linked to the following Parties.  Have fun ya'll.

New Look Button

I'm so glad you could stop by and visit me today.  If you enjoyed your visit I would love to hear it in a comment.  They really do mean a lot to me.

Hugs...Tracy :)

Jack-O-Lantern Door Hanging Ready for Halloween

Here is another up-cycle with an old item.  And it didn't cost me a dime.  Now that's my kinda price.

All you need is a half a pumpkin.  A faux pumpkin that is.  And I had plenty of those.  So up to the attic I went and came down with 2 garbage bags full.  No, I'm not a pumpkin hoarder.  Really, only about 10 pumpkins fit in 2 bags.  I've never cut one of these but how hard could it be?  

Yippee, it was my lucky day.  There was a pumpkin just waiting for me in the bag.  The heat of the attic must have gotten to it.  It was the only one in the bag that was already split apart right at the seams.  No cutting for me.  But I certainly would to make this cute guy.

I already had the black acrylic craft paint, the crow from the dollar store last year and old foliage and berries.  Yes it was a copy cat craft.  No it wasn't my brilliant idea but why change perfection.  I fell in love with this as soon as I spotted it last week.   The only problem was, once again I can't remember where I saw it.  I really would like to leave credit, so let me know if this was your design.  I saved the picture so I could repeat it but didn't save the name.  Bad me.  I  am trying to change that.

I'll be adding parties here throughout the day that I'm linking up to.

If you create one I'd love to see it.

Happy Fall Craftin' Ya'll

xxx's....Tracy :)

Tutorial for the Burlap Halloween Table Runner

Some of you asked about how I made the table runner yesterday, click here to see the post.   I wish I could say it was all my idea but nope, not the case.  It was a copy cat project.  I have another CC post for later today, so watch for that.

I saw this project on the HGTV site.  It's just a matter of cutting the fabric 20" wide and 20" longer than the length of your table so 10" hangs off each side.  Sew a straight stitch 1" from all four edges and then pull the threads to unravel the edge to that stitch.  You can even find the stencil to print and easy to follow directions, with their post.  I used black acrylic craft paint and heat set it once it was dry with the iron.  I don't think it would be washable but I haven't tried.
You can get the HGTV tutorial here.


Thanks so much for your sweet comments.  They really do make my day.  

No go have a blessed day ya'll!

There's a Florida Panther Loose On My Side of Town

That's right I said a panther.  

No kidding!  Roaming our side of town!

They're beautiful but I have no desire to see one in person.  These photos were taken off the internet.  There have been two sightings of one being spotted this weekend, in a very populated area of town that is less than 4 miles from my house.  YIKES!!!  An attorney who lives over there said he walked outside one night, heard rustling in the trees, looked up to see a huge Florida panther in the tree, with a stray cat dangling in it's mouth.  He didn't have a problem saying he scream, grabbed his dogs and ran for the house.  If I saw that, you would have a hard time getting me out of the house, especially in the evening. 


My brother-in-law caught a wild bob cat once and they are way smaller and believe me they are vicious creatures and terrifying to be near even in a cage.  The attorney who saw the panther said there was no doubt this cat was over 100 lbs.

There are only approximately 100 of  these beautiful endangered subspecies of the cougar left in Florida.  They live in the forests and swamp of Southern Florida.  Maybe somebody should tell this one that he's in wrong end of the state, considering I live in Northeast Florida.


The Florida panther was chosen as the Florida state animal in 1982. 
The males can weigh up to 160 lbs.  The Florida panther's diet is mainly white tailed deer and wild hogs but can also include smaller prey such as mice, birds, rabbits and small alligators (if necessary).


And finally we got some rain.  It was almost 7:30 and the rain started pouring.  Rain we really needed.  Thunderstorms which I love and the strangest most beautiful sky I've ever seen.  You can't tell but it's pouring.  I wish I could have gotten a better pic.  I love the crane just sitting still in the showers.  

 

It's not feeling a whole lot like fall here except in spirit. It's been in the high 80's and going to be about 90 all week.  I sure would enjoy a little chill but I'm grateful to have the rain.

Hope you enjoy all the blessing in your life this week.

Tracy

Winner of the Betty Crocker Fun da-Middles Giveaway

I've been so busy this weekend that I forgot to announce the winner of the Betty Crocker Fun-da middles cupcake giveaway.

And the winner is.............
Rasha (pronounced Russia) @ Champagne Taste Beer Budget.  Congratulations Rasha!!! You have 48 hours to respond.

I hope ya'll stop by to visit Rasha here, she has down some great makeovers.

A Simple Fall Table Runner

I love the simple ease of making this table runner.  I also love the simple clean lines of  it.  This is one of those projects that's just plain relaxing to do.

Minimal tools needed for this quick Sunday craft.  Burlap is perfect but I wanted a little cleaner look so I used a very loose weave cotton. Actually I think this was the lining for a shade.  Love to up-cycle.  This project cost  me maybe a $1.00. I already had the black paint.

I saw this project on the HGTV site.  It's just a matter of cutting the fabric 20" wide and 20" longer than the length of your table so 10" hangs off each side.  Sew a straight stitch 1" from all four edge and then pull the threads to unravel edge to that stitch.  You can even find the stencil to print and easy to follow directions, with their post.  I used black acrylic craft paint and heat set it once it was dry with the iron.  I don't think it would be washable but I haven't tried.
You can get the HGTV tutorial here.
There are so many great fall and Halloween ideas out there right now.  I'll love to see what you've found.

I hope you'll check out the great parties I'll be linking up to.

Take the time to do something special for yourself today. 

Hugs, ya'll...

Things I Love - It's As Simple As a New Papercraft Inspirations Magazine

I found this magazine at Joann's fabric store last time I was there. I couldn't resist and had to buy it.

I've always had a love of magazines.  They give you the greatest inspiration.  I wish I could put all the wonderful blog parties in a magazine so I would take it to bed or my private reading place and enjoy.  There's just something wonderful about sitting back and relaxing with a magazine.  I get worn out on the computer after awhile, where as it's just pure relaxation to kick back with a book.  In my early years it was all about fashion with Cosmo and even GQ.  I loved opening a brand new glossy magazine that no one had touched the pages but me. 

Now it's all about decorating and crafting.  And I never even knew about all the great magazines outside our own country.  Like this one from the UK called Papercraft Inspirations from Future Media With Passion.  Wow, it's so colorful and full of fun designs. Just look at all the cool stuff they publish.

There were other UK magazines there too.  Probably from the same publisher.  But I could only get one that day and the choice was hard.  This one was $9.99.  But that's really not a bad price when you consider that it came with a free gift.   Yep, these 9 clear stamps "Build a Country Scene" were included.  Actually they even had a few pages of scrapbook paper inside that you could tear out and use or copy so you have more.  You can even go to their website and download free papers.  How cool is that!  The other magazine had a package of free paper with it.  See what I mean?  It was hard to decide which to buy.

I love these cute cards with the basic instructions for you to make one too.

There's great articles and even a bloggers section. You have to love a company that realizes the importance of us bloggers.

I don't even have time to make cards lately but I dream of it a lot.  More things to add to my list.  I just wanted to share this with you because I liked it so much.  No sponsor here, just me.

Hope you have a perfect autumn weekend.  

Hugs...Tracy :)