Recently the manufacturer who produces our cork increased their prices. That, along with increased shipping costs means we have no choice but to increase the cost of our cork beginning on Dec 7th. If you've had your eye on any of the over 60 varieties of cork we stock, now is your chance to snap it up before the price increase. If you're new to sewing with cork, now is a great time to give it a go! We have a video to help you and some lovely colors to choose from. Current pricing through December 7th applies to in-stock cork only.

Cork is a really great way to put a different spin on a bag or pouch. I'm making my therapist a book cover for Christmas using Navy cork. We talk about books all the time, so I hope he'll love it!

What are you making for holiday gifts this year?

-Sara

We recently posted a Polaris bag on our social media pages that wowed me with the bright pink piping. When I searched through our Facebook group to find some more examples, there weren't really that many! Piping looks really beautiful on a bag and makes it look more finished and professional. You can add it to any project - even if the pattern doesn't call for it! Sara has a video to show you her method which makes the process quick and easy. Your piping will look crisp and professional!

"The Buzz" from Bronwyn

In October, Heléna Blomstrand and I decided to make a quilt together. I'm in New Zealand and she's in Sweden so not so much of the "together" and more of the "check in weekly to compare blocks"!! We settled on "Stomping Ground" by Wendy Sheppard and the friendly competition was afoot! Firstly Heléna talked of a practice block and project bag. Of course I had to make one too! I used the I-Spy pouch pattern from minikins season one and simply made it bigger - easy peasy! Then there was talk by the over-achieving Swede of a design board - which naturally I copied! We had all week to make our 4 blocks but SOMEONE always made hers the first day leaving ME to always be playing catch up! I'm proud to say we both stayed on task, completed our blocks, supported each other and even drew the attention of the quilt designer who encouraged us from the sidelines each week. Making a quilt with another person is the best way to achieve your goal - I never wanted to 'fess up that I hadn't completed the weekly assignment! Thank you Heléna for being so over achieving and giving me something to strive for!! I can't wait to do it all over again - but next year!

Every month there will be new challenges and you'll have all month to get your entries in. You can enter one or both but can't submit the same entry! One randomly chosen winner for each challenge will be awarded a $50 gift certificate for Sew Sweetness and be announced in the next month's newsletter. The winners of the November challenge are #52 Elaine and #71 Xiomari!

The Minikins Season Three challenge this month is to make the Newfoundland pouch. This pouch comes in 3 different sizes and features an accordion divider in the lining. Perfect for keeping all of your tools separate and
organized!

As we round up 2021, the other challenge this month is to make any of the stand alone Sew Sweetness patterns that were released this year. Remember - the challenge is to make it in the month of December!

Chickadee backpack
Starling bag
Stingray bag
Sky Harbor tote

I made my Sky Harbor tote using some very favourite Tilda fabric that had been waiting for the perfect project! Turns out my friend Michelle thought it was perfect too and was the lucky recipient :)

So choose your Sew Sweetness pattern and when you've finished, upload your photo to the blog post. One entry per person and no reposting from previous months please! If you have trouble uploading, please email your picture to bronwyn@sewsweetness.com and I'll happily help you.