Gadanke Review and Giveaway

Today I have a fun little giveaway for you guys.  Katie, from Gadanke, is giving away one of her "The Little Things - A Journal of Thankful Thoughts" to one of The Cottage Home readers.  She graciously sent me one of these journals to review and we will be sending out one to the giveaway winner.

I thought this was an appropriate giveaway for this time of year since Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Personally, I use to keep a gratitude journal, where I would write down the five things at the end of the day that I was thankful for (be it big or small).  Well, that never seemed to last too long, but I did enjoy it.  This is kind of a more simplified version that would definitely be easier to keep up with.

So, this is the package that arrived at my home from Gadanke......

I have to admit that I am all for anything that is calling me "fabulous", but I just thought this envelope was so cute!

Inside the envelope was the journal and a very sweet note from Katie, owner of Gadanke.  Being a small business owner myself, I love seeing others packaging - so I thought you might like to as well.

Here is the bound journal that is covered in 100% recycled Italian patterned paper.

The journal is stitched down the center with German cotton thread that holds all of the pages together.

Here are some examples of the interior pages.  There are spots for you to write down the things that you are thankful for in your life.  It also brings to light that it is not always the most noticeable life events that truly make us happy - it is in the small, every day things that can bring us true happiness and we should give great thanks!  I can see this journal being something, once filled out, to look at daily to remind ourselves that no matter how bad the day, there is always something on the brighter side.

Katie's goal with her company, Gadanke, is to help you create the type of journals you'll treasure - whether they're about you, where you live and travel, or someone you love.  She believes we all have stories your story is worth celebrating.  Her goal is to help make your writing process more enjoyable and meaningful.  That way you can really dive into the ideas that give you a zest for life.

To find out more about Gadanke and the products they have to offer, please click HERE. 

Katie and Gadanke can be found here:

Blog:  www.makingthishome.com - Simple and Handmade Home

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/makingthishome

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/gadanke

Gadanke and The Cottage Home are giving away one "Journal of Thankful Thoughts".  

Here's how to enter:

 Check out Gadanke and leave a comment letting us know what products you like.

Giveaway will be open until midnight (central time) Wednesday, November 17, 2010.

Cottage Mama's Note:  No compensation was received or exchanged for this review and giveaway.  Gadanke has provided The Cottage Home with one journal for review and one to giveaway.

{ The Bedroom ~ A Poll }

The bedroom is coming together nicely.

I have had these Chambrey blue curtain panels up for a few months now, along with the bamboo shades.

and I love them...

only I don't know if I love them with gray walls I recently painted.

Scenery 2...

I also have drop cloths left over from our last house that I haven't used anywhere yet.

What do you think?

Whatever the panels are there will still be bamboo shades under them, and

honeycomb shades under them.

{they were there when we moved in and I really like how the 3 layers of window treatments create total darkness}

Remember, here's my palette for the bedroom

with all white cotton bedding.

{those blue prints are just small accents in the room}

Here's a picture of the inspiration room I used when creating this room ~

{source unknown}

So, I'll love to hear your opinion...

I've installed a poll 

and I'd love it if you'd vote for your favorite.

the polls are open for the next 48 hrs, so get out and vote people!

Thanks, can't wait to see the results.

which is it?

the chambrey blue or the drop cloths?
{the poll is on the top right in the sidebar}

Fabric Organizers

Back in August I posted about my new sewing studio.  Since then I have had quite a few people emailing about the fabric organizers I use so I thought it was time to give you the scoop on my favorite sewing organization tool of all time!  With Christmas around the corner, these would make a fun gift for anyone you know who is a true fabric lover or a fun gift for you from your husband or family (just forward them this post and say "hint, hint").

The organizers come in two sizes - large and small.  The majority of mine are large; however I do have about 25 of the small ones for smaller pieces of fabric and trims.


Here is how they work.......

You pop open the two tabs and place then end of your fabric underneath and lock them back into place.

Then you wrap your fabric around the organizer, pulling nice and tight for a snug fit.

This is what one yard of fabric looks like after you have wrapped it around your organizer.  The organizers hold up to five yards of fabric each.

I secure the ends of my fabric with two straight pins and then place them on my fabric shelves.

Here is some of my trim on the smaller organizers.  I find these to be really nice for ribbons because it prevents them from getting any creases and they are easy to see when you are designing.

 Here are some of my smaller organizers behind my little trim basket.

My fabric use to take up so much space, but since I've been using my organizers, it fits nicely on two large shelves.  And I have a LOT of fabric!!

I considered making some of these organizers when I needed to order more, but I found the cost of making them would have been as much, if not more, than buying them.  I love how light-weight the organizer is - fabric can be really heavy, so the organizer itself doesn't add any weight to the shelves.  If you try to make your own organizers be sure to not use any material that will hurt or damage your fabric.

Here is one of the shelves in my studio filled with neatly organized fabric.

Now while you may not have the shelf space for all of your fabric, you can certainly fit these easily into large plastic storage containers.  Then you can slide them under a bed or in a closet if need be.

Being able to see all of my fabric neatly organized inspires me to create.  So if your fabric stash has gotten overwhelming and is inhibiting your creativity, I highly recommend you get some of these organizers and get organized!!  You'll be glad you did!

Click HERE to order your fabric organizers.

Cottage Mama's Note:  I have no affiliation with this company, I just think they have a truly great product!

To view my past studio reveal click HERE.