Saturday 23 April 2011

It’s my birthday….and a giveaway!

Hip hip hoorah, today is my birthday.


I’m honoured to share my special day with the following luminaries:

The Big O
The Bard himself
The lovely John Hannah
And last, but by no means least, Lee Majors (the bionic man)

I’ve reached the great age of (mumbling into hand)….42.  Apparently 42 is the answer to everything, according to The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (or something like that, I never read/watched it). I wait with bated breath…

Anyway, I digress.  Here’s a jaw dropping fact: I appear to have amassed 200+ followers since I started this blog!!! I’m both gobsmacked and delighted by this, and would just like to say a huge, gigantic thank you to each and every one of you for your support and encouragement.  Your comments, suggestions and back patting have really spurred me on to bigger and better sewing. As a mark of appreciation (and because it’s my birthday), I’ve got a pretty special giveaway for you. 

If you’ve been reading my blog awhile, you’ll know I’m a fan of Colette patterns.  I love the vintage-inspired styling of the garments, the fact that the patterns look like little books and the idiot-proof instructions. So the prize for my giveaway is a bit of a no-brainer - a Colette pattern of your own.  Yippee!

One lucky sewer will get to choose the Colette pattern of their choice from M is for Make. M is for Make stocks a great range of Colette patterns, including the two new ones: the Violet blouse and the Ginger skirt. You can browse the collection here and check out the gorgeous fabrics whilst you’re at it.  Massive thanks to Kate at M is for Make for so generously supplying the winning pattern.

So, back to the giveaway…. all you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post, letting me know which Colette pattern you’d choose if you won. That’s
it!  The giveaway is open worldwide and closes at midnight GMT on April 30th 2011.  The lucky winner will be chosen at random after this date and notified by e-mail.  Good luck everybody, and have a great Easter.  xx



124 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! Now you are the first I am a follower of. If I win I would like the Violet pattern or the Sencha blouse...to hard to choose.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday. Loving the new Ginger skirt pattern as it would be fab for a beginner like me :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Birthday Jane!!! I hope your having a good one already! Whats all this about giveaway? Aren't you supposed to receive loads of stuff on your birthday? hehe!
    I think my collette pattern is likely to be Violet or the Beignet... Now if I can just get over my buttonhole fear...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Birthday! Have a lovely day, enjoy the sunshine!

    I'd love the parfait dress please! Thanks for giving us all something on your birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday to you ! What a lovely weekend for a birthday .

    I would love the Beignet skirt or the Violet blouse they are both on my wish list .

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday!! I love the in your photo, it's gorgeous. I only found your blog last week, and I'm going to make some of the Lavender Bags. Thank you for the chance to get a pressie for your birthday! I would love the Rooibos Dress pattern.

    Have a lovely day, and Happy Easter, Lynne :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy birthday, Jane! (You don't look 42, BTW, I thought you were about 35. But you're right, 42 is the answer to everything, so that's good.)

    Great giveaway - thanks to you and to M is for Make. Ooh which to choose if I won? Probably Violet, as it's new and so lovely.

    Hope you have a lovely day! x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Birthday!

    I have never sewn a Colette pattern but have been eyeing the Sencha Blouse for a while now

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy birthday! Yet to try a Colette pattern but in love with the parfait sun dress!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday!! working on Collette at the moment.....would love to try Oolong next... thank you for the generous giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yay, you have the sunshine to wear your Crepe dress. Happy birthday! You deserve all those followers, having been such a generous blogger with information and giveaways. Can I put my name down for the Macaron dress? I've always fancied having a go at that one. Thank you, Jane, and most importantly - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Looking good on 42, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Many happy returns, Jane. You're wearing well! And still two years younger than me, even after another birthday :-) If I won such a wonderful giveaway, I'd choose the Violet blouse. I can see myself wearing that for work, plus the pattern helpfully says "Beginner" on it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Birthday Jane! Have a wonderful day and easter x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday Jane! I hope you have a brilliant day. I absolutely love the dress you are wearing in the picture, the fabric is gorgeous! I would really like to try the parfait sun dress, if I were lucky enough to win! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy birthday!

    I would really love to try the Macaron pattern from Colette if I won!

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Birthday!
    I hope you have a marvellous day and that you're spoilt rotten by your nearest and dearest :-)
    Enjoy the sunshine and bank holidays.

    (if I win please may I have the Ginger skirt pattern?)

    Happymousefairy xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Jane & Many Happy Returns! I see you are rocking your lovely flowered Crepe in your picture :)

    What a generous giveaway. How exciting that Colette Patterns have released 2 new patterns, however I think I would like to try the Macaron if I win.

    Hope you have a lovely and sunny bank holiday weekend

    K x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Birthday! You really don't look 42!! Wow :)
    Thanks to you and M is for Make for doing a give away :)
    I think I would like the Violet blouse if I win, as I need more separates :)
    Ashley x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aw, happy birthday!! Hope you have a fabulous day, the weather is perfect for you!!
    I'd have to plump for Violet since I drooled as soon as I saw Sarai's version for the Spring Palette Challenge. I hadn't even realised until the other day that it had finally been released as a pattern. Yay!
    Px

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Birthday Jane!

    42? Pah - a mere slip of girl! ;)

    If I was the lucky winner I would choose the Rooibos dress pattern and attempt to make a dress that fits - eek!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy Birthday! I always enjoy your blog and love Colette's patterns. I think I am tempted by the new violet shirt.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day. What a very generous giveaway! I just saw the two new patterns today and am dying to get them. They are both adorable! And I have been meaning to buy crepe for ages.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Happy, happy birthday! Hope you have a great time! If i was the lucky winner I would go for the Sencha blouse. I have been eyeing it for a while.

    Thank you for hosting this fantastic giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy birthday, to you!!! We share the same birthday(except I am a few years older)!! The patterns are lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy Birthday! (I would not have guessed you were 42.) Anyways, I want just about every Colette pattern, but if I won I think I'd have to choose the Beignet skirt. I've been dying to make it for ages.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, giving a gift to someone else on your birthday is a great idea... I might have to try that. Happy birthday, and thanks for offering such a great prize!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd love the Rooibos pattern! Thanks and happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy Birthday Jane...whoop! Hope you have a lovely day, taking advantage of the gorgeous weather we're having.

    Congratulations on breaking the 200 follower mark, it's so deserved. I'd love to be in the running for your generous giveaway, as I've never used a Colette pattern before. If I had my choice, I'd go for either the Beignet (as every single version I've seen of it has been fab) or Violet (because I'm in love with peter pan collars).

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy birthday! ANd congrats on your following!

    If I were to win, my first choice would be the Ceylon pattern, but since M is for Make doesn't carry it, I would 'settle' for Crepe. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey! Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I hope you had a really wonderful day. Your blog is so full of wonderful things and helpful insights that 200 is not a surprising number for followers at all!

    I would love to be part of the list on this giveaway. I'm curious about Collette patterns and I would love to have a go at sewing one. If I were to pick, I'd love to get the Crepe or the Violet pattern. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your 200 followers! What a great giveaway you're having...but are YOU supposed to be the one getting gifts? But I won't quibble over that! I would love to have the "macaron" pattern. Perfect for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Happy Birthday! Your photo is just gorgeous.

    The whole Colette line is just great--but I've been pining for the Sencha blouse pattern for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I've been dying to try a Colette pattern after hearing wonderful things and following their blog. It's so hard to decide but I think I'd go for Chantilly. I have this beautiful vintage brushed cotton from the 50's with grey gingham and butterflies that would look adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I've been absolutely drooling over the Ceylon dress pattern for quite some time, I would looooove to win that!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy Birthday...42 is a very good age! I would love to have the Sencha blouse pattern if I won! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh yes! And Happy Birthday! I hope you have a fabulous day and enjoy that beautiful dress!

    ReplyDelete
  37. happy birthday! i'd choose the violet blouse. everyone looks good in peter pan collars, and there are nifty little fabric-covered buttons! - aimi

    ReplyDelete
  38. Happy Birthday! and what a wonderful giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Happy Birthday! I am right behind ya when you figure out the answer. :D I'd choose the Rooibos dress...I love it's subtle details.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Happy happy birthday and congratulations!

    I'd love a chance at the giveaway - I've been very interested in trying a Colette pattern and the Crepe dress seems like a great place to start!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Happy Birthday! I love Colette patterns and have several of them but I've been wanting to make a Chantilly. :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Congratulations on another birthday. I'm so in love with the new Violet blouse pattern, it's so sweet and lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Happy Birthday Jane! Yay! David had his birthday yesterday and he also turned 42--which is indeed the answer to the life, the universe and everything :) This is such a generous giveaway and as you know, I absolutely adore your blog (and you--hey, are we going to meet up in May?) so it's no surprise to me that you have so many lovely followers! I think if I had to choose one Colette pattern, I would probably choose the Ceylon pattern--it's so classy and very 40's inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  44. here's a picture of me in my version of ceylon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7932309@N05/4622714728/in/set-72157623972168315

    now i have my eye on the crepe. maybe in a color-fabric combo like your picture!

    happy birthday, and keep up the great work =)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Happy birthday!! HOpe you have a good day. If I was lucky enough to win i would choose either the Beignet skirt or the Negroni shirt pattern. Fingers crossed!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Happy happy happy Birthday ! As above - YOU should be getting spoiled, and not us !!

    And by the way, your crepe looks absolutely stunning. Yours was one of my faves when I checked out Gerties 'sew along', and seeing it drew me to your blog and your lovely sewing ! I love collette patterns, and if I were lucky enough to win, I would like to have a go a making the 'macaron dress'. Have seen it on Gertie, she did a cracking job, not sure mine would be to the same standards, but I would love to give it a go ! Have a great birthday, K xxx

    ReplyDelete
  47. Happy birthday Jane! And how lovely to be celebrating on a gorgeously sunny long weekend - hope it's amazing and the next year is your best ever!
    I would definitely go for that gorgeous new Ginger blouse - love it! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  48. Happy Birthday and Happy Easter too! It's really tough to pick a favourite from these patterns, but if I was sewing for my sister, I would choose the Beignet skirt, which she recently drooled over. For myself, I would choose the macaron dress, which looks so cute :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Happy birthday Jane! Hey, you also share your birthday with my little brother. You lucky thing! Congratulations on hitting 200 followers too, that's quite an achievement! If I won your lovely giveaway I'd like the Eclair pattern - my baby sister is getting married next summer and has asked me to make her bridesmaid dresses, and this pattern would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  50. crepe dress or sencha top, just can't decied. Happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Happy Birthday. I am following now! I would pick the parfait dress because it has a cute vintage style to it and I love pockets!

    Steph @ Tart Deco
    tartdeco at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I really like the Eclair Dress pattern because when I think of my becoming (I'
    m only 16 y.o) prom dress it's going to look exactly like that!
    I also want to say that I'm following your blog and I love it!

    sara.kampf@live.se

    ReplyDelete
  53. Happy Birthday! I've been drooling over Cinnamon and Nutmeg!

    ReplyDelete
  54. My favourite has to be the Macaron dress patten, it is so pretty! What a great giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Happy Birthday. I've been lusting after the macron dress for ages now.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I've been checking out Crepe for a while but the Beignet is very attractive too! Too many tough choice............ Crepe!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Happy Birthday!I think it has to be Crepe!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Happy Birthday! It's my birthday today, as well!

    It's a tough choice between Chantilly and Parfait, but I think Parfait would have more applications in my life right now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Happy birthday!
    If I would win, I would choose the Crepe dress. I love this pattern and wanted to have it for a long time now.

    ReplyDelete
  60. How awesome you have 200 followers!! Congrats.

    I'd love the Beignet pattern, did I spell that right? I gave away my copy as a christmas present to someone and I'd love to make it myself.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Happy Birthday! I love your blog, and know you'll get many more followers!

    I would choose the Violet blouse if I won. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Happy birthday!!!! I hope you have had a lovely day in the sunshine. How sweet of you to organise a gift giveaway - we should be giving you something! :)
    if I win the pattern I would love to give the new violet a go. I live colette patterns and have just finished my 1st beignet. x

    ReplyDelete
  63. Happy Birthday!!! I think I would pick either the Violet blouse or the Crepe dress if I won. Thanks so much for the giveaway and have a great day!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Oh wow Jane, a great giveaway! Hope you are having a grand old celebration. Please enter me for the Sencha top and have a slice of birthday cake for me : )

    ReplyDelete
  65. Oh gosh I've always wanted the Macaron pattern!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Happy Birthday.

    oh and happy shakespeares death day.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Happy Birthday! Love your dress and fabric choice. I can understand your passion for sewing, as I am taking 6 classes and still come home and sew. If I were to be the lucky winner, I'd pick the Chantilly dress.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Happy Birthday! Oh my, what a generous giveaway! I would either pick the macaroon or the rooibos dress... Hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Happy birthday and happy easter day - Love your blog - have just discovered it recently as I have just returned to the sewing world/craft world and am totally addicted to everything stitchy. I too am called Jane and have two boys!!! Anyway, the pattern I would choose would be the - Crepe dress - Thanksso much for the chance to enter this comp. - will keep everything crossed now. xx

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'd go for Beignet - can't do buttonholes so it'll be a learning experience!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Happy birthday, Jane! Hope you had a great day and congrats on all the followers! I quite like the look of the Violet blouse. Thanks to you and M for the giveaway :) x

    ReplyDelete
  72. Happy birthday! As bizarre as this is, it was my birthday too. If I won, I'd love the crepe pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Happy Birthday! I would choose the Sencha blouse. It's beautiful! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays ! Yet another beautiful creation and you look very fetching in it!

    May you receive your hearts desires,
    Elise

    ReplyDelete
  75. Great giveaway, and I love the macaron dress. Happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Happy Birthday and enjoy your holidays! Beignet for me please.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Happy Birthday! hope you have a great day!
    I'd choose the Violet blouse

    ReplyDelete
  78. Happy Birthday --- hope it was perfect :D! I would choose that fetching new Ginger skirt pattern --- it was love at first sight for me.

    ReplyDelete
  79. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and...
    I would love the crepe pattern from Collette!
    You can reach me at..
    robi06222000@yahoo.com
    TNANKS AND HAPPY SEWING : )

    ReplyDelete
  80. Happy Birthday! It's a tough choice between the rooibos dress and the parfait dress patterns. They're both so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Happy Birthday! I am interested in the crepe wrap dress, actually, and do not yet have it.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Hello! I hope you had a wonderful birthday and holiday! You look pretty fabulous, and I never would have guessed your age at 42. If I win, may I please have the Parfait dress pattern? I just can't get enough dresses.
    xoxo,
    Lunachick265

    ReplyDelete
  83. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Oops - too much chocolate yesterday, forgot to say, I love that new blouse pattern Violet. Happy Birthday
    What a great giveaway! I often read about the lovely things you make, now I follow too :-)
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  85. Happy Birthday!

    I would like Violet, if I should happen to win.

    http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/violet

    ReplyDelete
  86. I have Rooibos but am a a little bit scared of starting it! Ginger would be good for me.

    ReplyDelete
  87. well, i'm a couple days late but happy birthday! just started following your blog :)

    i love colette patterns & it is so hard to choose a favorite! oooh i would probably go with the chantilly or the ginger. all of their patterns are so gorgeous :)

    ReplyDelete
  88. Happy birthday! I would love to get my hands on a Ginger pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Great to discover your blog - I love the things you have made, which put my efforts into the shade! And I would love to join in the giveaway.

    Pomona x

    ReplyDelete
  90. Hi Jane, Happy belated birthday & a beautifully modelled Crepe dress by you! I have already got Rooibos & Chantilly in my queue so I would choose Violet should I be so lucky. Thank you for such a lovely giveaway xx

    ReplyDelete
  91. Yes, Happy Birthday! Thanks for letting us into your world of witty observations and British life. We Americans are a bit heartsick on our fellow red/white/blue cousins.....

    ReplyDelete
  92. Hi Jane and Happy Birthday. What a coincidence - I was 42 last December, took up sewing about 18 months ago and spend way too much time reading (and learning a ton) from sewing bloggers.

    I love Colette Patterns too and would pick the Crepe Dress - the wrap is great. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I'm now a follower!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Hi Jane,

    Hope you had a fab birthday weekend!! Lovely weather for it. What a fab giveaway, if I won I'd have to go with Ginger as it looks acheivable for me and my extremely poor productivity levels!!

    ReplyDelete
  94. 23rd April is a popular birthday - I'm recovering from my dad and boyfriend's dad's birthdays on Saturday! Your Crepe looks lovely so I think I would pick that and try and emulate your version!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Aw man. I have to pick a favorite? I'd probably say the crepe. That is such a gorgeous dress!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Happy birthday, I think I'd have to try the Beignet skirt, there's so many lovely versions out there.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Hope you had a happy birthday.

    I really like the parfait dress, not only is it beuatiful but very suitable for the climate in which I live - hot and humid for a lot of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Happy birthday Jane and congratulations on your 200th follower! I've been dreaming about the Macaron dress lately.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Congrats on 200 followers! I would LOVE the Crepe dress pattern from Collette. So pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Wishing you a belated happy birthday and congrats on your 200th follower! I would love to win the Negroni pattern, so I can try my hand at making something for my husband for once.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Happy Birthday!
    I'm wishing you a wonderful day.
    It would be great to win the Macarone dress pattern.
    Have a great party!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Happy Belated Birthday Wishes!
    I do like the look of the Violet blouse.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  103. I love the Crepe dress, I've been looking for an awesome wrap dress!

    ReplyDelete
  104. happy birthday 8-)


    I would love to try and make Parfait, perfect for the great weather we have been having here recently

    ReplyDelete
  105. Happy Belated Birthday. I am remiss on congratulating since I've been a follower for some time now. I'd love to try the Beignet.
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  106. Happy Birthday! I'd love to try the new Violet.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Happy Birthday Jane :) The Birthday giveaway is a great and generous idea - reminds me that when I started work there was a tradition of buying everyone a drink on your birthday.I'm a relative newbie in blogland starting my own blog in January and getting drawn into reading yours, Tilly's and Zo's for starters.
    PS The Beignet skirt would be my choice.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Happy birthday! I'd have a hard time deciding between the Rooibios and the Sencha blouse...

    ReplyDelete
  109. Happy Birthday! I think I would choose between Ginger, Beignet and Rooibos.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Happy birthday! You look great and I hope you had a fantastic time! Thanks for the generous giveaway, though next time we should all send you a pattern. I think I'd like to try the sencha blouse if I won...

    ReplyDelete
  111. Just discovered your blog through SewRetro =D
    am excited to spend the next hour or so looking through your older posts!
    I'd love the try the Sencha pattern
    -Shelly (you can reach me at michi2009@themak.com)

    ReplyDelete
  112. Just saw your b.day giveaway post. Happy birthday, a little late. Put me in for the pattern giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Happy Birthday! (or Happy Birthday Week :) Congrats on over 200 followers, very exciting! I can't wait to try your lavender bag idea, especially since I just found out we have a lavender farm nearby.

    I'd love to try the Violet blouse, it's a design that's grown on me I must admit! Thanks to you and M is for Make for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  114. Hi, you are now the first blog I actually follow "properly" (rather than just on my favourites...) If I win, I'd go for Crepe - No. 1013 - so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  115. Enjoy your birthday week! ^^

    I would also pick the crepe dress. I saw so many lovely creations made from that pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  116. Happy (belated) birthday!! I haven't been checking my blogs for ages so only just reading this post now. Hope you had an amazing day.

    And thanks for the lovely giveaway! I would chose the Beignet skirt if I was lucky enough to win.
    I follow you on BlogLovin, but I'll make sure I'm following you on Googlefriends too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  117. Happy birthday! Agreeing with everyone else in love with the Ginger pattern! For a beginner like me, it looks perfect--stylish enough to want to invest time and yet easy enough to not frustrate me too much!

    ReplyDelete
  118. Happy Birthday Jane!

    Like you, I'm a huge fan of Colette Patterns. Aren't the styles and instruction fantastic? It would be hard to pick between the Ginger and Violet, I'd be thrilled with either.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Hi Jane, so sorry I missed your Birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day!

    Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  120. Hallo, eek, I think I'm *just* in time to enter! I'm not sure I've done the following thing right, haven't really used it much before... Happy birthday, and I love your frock in the top pic :D

    ReplyDelete
  121. Happy (belated) Birthday Jane! I've been storing up my google reader posts until I could comment (I've been getting repeat error messages) so I'm sorry to be reading this so late but I do hope you had a l lovely day. Bethx

    ReplyDelete
  122. Very belated but happy birthday all the same!
    Have been away these past weeks, which means I have several of your posts to catch up on, hurrah!

    ReplyDelete
  123. hurray and what a great superlovely dress you are wearing!
    Love, Maaike

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...