What better way to start off November than with a giveaway?
Can you sense my excitement and happy dance from your side of the screen? I have finished my first draft of Franchise and Follies and am awaiting feedback from my editor. While I understand reaching this goal post does not mean the race is over, considering how much I’ve struggled this past year to complete a project, this milestone signifies meeting a personal goal.
Now, although I should be focused on making more progress on some other writing projects sitting in my queue, I’m taking a tiny break to enjoy the fall and focus on my other hobbies and interests. During this time, I also tried out two new hobbies: glass mosaics and quilting.
I recently returned from a visit with my sister. Her city was alive with the colors of autumn. I understand those of you in New England might be accustomed to seeing fuchsia foliage, but it still takes my breath away.
Anyways, she makes beautiful glass mosaics and has a home studio in which to work. While visiting her, I made two tiny mosaics. They were my first, and it shows. Still, it was nice to experience the process. Now, I know how much work she puts into her creations, and when I visit again, I will have a list of mistakes to avoid. Also, I only cut five of my fingers.*
I’m not a very talented seamstress or quilter, but quilts are my sister-in-law’s passion. She created a bunch of these little fall-themed table runner kits and invited me over to her house to complete one. Here is how mine came out:
It was super fast to put together, even for an inexperience sewer like me. I think it took me less than four hours to finish. I had so much fun; I bought a second kit so I can see if, now that I know what I’m doing, I can put one together even faster. To give you a sense of the colors, here is the second kit which I have yet to assemble:
You might wonder why I am telling you this. Well, I am offering two lucky Austen Authors readers the chance to win one of these cute runners. The prospect of winning is always fun, so this way, you can feel some of the excitement I have over finishing my latest novel. Unless you prefer to do your own sewing, I can assemble the second runner before shipping it off. To enter, just comment below before November 8, 2021.
Unfortunately, because of shipping costs, this contest is only open to those in the USA, but if you are selected and live outside the USA, I can send you the kindle version of my next book as soon as it is ready as an alternate prize.
Good Luck to each contestant and enjoy this beautiful fall.
*I’d offer the mosaics but they feel like they are made of lead, so shipping would be price prohibitive.
Loving thise fall colours! Nice job on the runner.My edging never lies so neat and flat!
Gorgeous runner!
Thank you!
how beautiful~
Thank you!
You did a beautiful job with the quilted runner. Quilts have decorated our homes and kept us warm for centuries (yes, even Jane Austen). Thank you for the giveaway. It will be perfect for Thanksgiving.
Can you imagine? They would have done all their sewing by hand. I’d love to try some regency embroidery, but must admit, while doing it by hand might be fun once (for something small) I couldn’t be more grateful for all the help of machines.
They look so pretty!
Thank you! And thanks for entering. Good luck.
These are simply gorgeous — Thank you for the opportunity to win one!
Thank you! What a nice thing to say.
give one to me. My house has no color, and we’re related
I got your back, bro. If you don’t win. I’ll make you a winter/ Christmas themed version so you can use it through the rest of the year.
This is impressive. The runner is beautiful!
Thank you! Good luck!
Wonderful author and person!
Thank you. I still have miles of room for improvement but am lucky enough to know many women in my life who are great role models. Thank you for being one of them.
The table runners are beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win one! ??
Thank you for the kind words and you’re welcome. Good luck!
You are so talented and creative !!! Fall is my favorite time of the year ?. I love all of the colors you chose. I admire that you are able to accomplish so many things !!!
I can’t take the credit for the colors. My sister in law gave me all the pieces for the one and helped select half the pieces for the other. And while I’d like to believe I can accomplish a lot, realistically, it’s only because I don’t have a job and my kids are older so they don’t need my attention. Having lots of free time makes a big difference in pursuing hobbies.
I am so excited to read your new book! These runners are so pretty, anyone would be lucky to have one!
You’re so sweet. Thank you.
These runners are beautiful. Winning would be a blessing. Thank you for a chance to win.
Marion
You’re welcome and thank you for the compliment. Good luck!
The colors are beautiful and so appropriate for the season.
Joan
Thank you! I love fall colors.
What lovely runners. Thank you for this giveaway.
Marilyn
You’re welcome. Good luck!
So excited for your next book
Thank you!
Oh goodness! That’s lovely. Love the colors.
Thank you! I do love everything fall. I wish I lived somewhere where the leaves were brighter when they turn.
Gorgeous! There’s just something so satisfying in looking at a finished piece that you made!
That is so true! I don’t actually have any use for most things I make, but that joy of satisfaction is addictive.
I used to quilt while attending college and even made my first babies their own quilts but haven’t done much in the past few years.
I hope your babies saved those once they got older. The things you make for your children become so special.
Beautiful glass work and the runners are lovely for fall. How creative and artistic. Thanks for your giveaway.
Thank you! I admit, for the glass work, my sister sometimes has extra pieces left over from projects she has made, so I used her flowers and the top of the palm tree was hers as well. Plus, the mosaic I was trying to make just did not work out. I was aiming for a three panel design, but the first panel was so bad, I abandoned the plan. Like anyone, I would improve with practice. But, since I live pretty far away from my eldest sister who has the studio, it won’t happen. I wish I could make some of the gorgeous things she does. My nieces who live in that area also make some amazing pieces. But it’s fun to try new crafts even if the results are a bit wonky.
I began quilting almost 20 years ago. You did a great job!! Enjoy your new hobbies!
I love that you say mistakes add character. I did the second quilt. (I can buy another kit should the winner opt to make their own). But there is one pretty obvious flaw. There is a reason behind it, but now, I’m going with, “I was adding character.”
Such beautiful colours! I’m not so good at sewing as my Mum and my sister-in-law excel (Mum lost her sight so is no longer able). I concentrated instead on knitting and I taught myself to crochet. I used to make table mats, bookmarks, coasters and baby clothes but now tend to stick to blankets.
I wish I’d tried quilting as it looks so lovely, alas I have too many books to read now to spare the time to learn! 🙂
I hope your second attempt is as successful as your first. Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I’m in the U.K.
About a year ago, I taught myself to crochet as well! I had tried it long ago and had trouble figuring out where the next stitch was meant to go, but with the dawn of the internet, learning became so much easier. I haven’t tried to make clothes, but I crochet blankets, hats, shawls, and dolls. Of course, I live in a place that never gets cold, so mostly the stuff I make (other than dolls) sits in drawers. I envy you living in the UK. So green, and I love rain. I used to think I lived somewhere that had greenery, but I visited the UK and when I came home I realized what I thought was green was really more of an olive. Any how, I’ve started to be able to look at something and crochet a copy without using a pattern which has been really neat. But crocheting a sweater still gives me pause. I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I just love doing crafts. There is something so fun about making things.
Wow. Love the fall theme (fall is my favorite season) Love quilts but cannot do one. Thank you for this giveaway
You’re welcome. I’m struggling with my first quilt as well. But I’ve been told mistakes get hidden as you finish up. We will see. Good luck on the raffle!
They do get hidden! Keep going. The Amish always made sure to include a mistake in their quilts to show that people are fallible but God is not. I include them accidentally but they add character.
Lovely fall colors. If I am so fortunate to win, I’d need a finished product as I don’t sew, but envy those who do! Best wishes on the publication of your new work after the edits.
Thank you! I’m not much of a sewer either. Thank goodness this is all straight lines, and the machine does 99% of the work. I’d love to learn how to make clothes. It would be fun to make a regency ball gown for one of those recreation balls.
I love the autumnal colors! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. I love fall colors too. So warm and cozy. Good luck!
These runners are lovely. Very pretty for fall. Thank you for the chance to win one.
You’re welcome! Good luck and thank you for the compliment.
Lovely! Shots of the mosaics would have be lovely also! That’s something I missed last year, buying homemade items at the fall/winter craft events. Thank you for the giveaway.
Here they are… I learned a lot and could do better next time. I didn’t know you needed to put the glass in the kiln before you stick it on the wood. My sister reminded me the wood would burn. duh! So I didn’t get the nice smooth, fused piece I was imagining.
Second one…
They are lovely. Thanks for the giveaway and I look forward to the release of your book.
Thank you! Good luck.
Lovely idea for a fall giveaway.
Thank you!