Thursday, September 23, 2010

Spotlight on AWEsome! Meet the EclecticArmadillo, and a Giveaway!

Welcome to this month's "Spotlight on AWEsome"!  This time around, we'd like to introduce to you to Sarah,  one of the founders of the AWEteam, who is also our fearless leader!  Sarah runs two distinct shops on Etsy, and both are equally AWEsome!   For  Meditation Cushions~Home Decor Pillows~Buckwheat Hulls
 take a peek at eclecticarmadillo, and if you are yearning for Handmade Cathedral Windows Pillows or quilting supplies,  visit sarahsquiltsncrafts!  You'll be glad you did!  Sarah's roots are very evident in her work!

Introducing Sarah...
My name is Sarah spelled with an "h". I grew up on a working farm in a closed community of the horse and buggy Old Order Mennonites in eastern Pa. I made my final exit at about age 28, but that's a story for another time and place....a whole book, in fact! Suffice it to say I know what it's like to live by the seasons, grow and preserve food, work in the fields baling hay and straw, and planting tobacco, like one of the boys when necessary, strip tobacco on winter evenings after school, and of course last but not least, the arts of keeping house and sewing.



Cathedral Windows Pillow Cover Happy as the Grass is Green


Influences...
My mother taught the three of us (including my brother) how to sew-first by hand, using a thimble. Next we were permitted to use the Singer treadle, and finally her electric sewing machine; working with cotton fabrics leftover from her sewing projects to make quilts, then on to other functional items. A grade school teacher gave me a bag of fabric scraps leftover from her sewing projects. I remember how thrilled I was! I designed "English" dresses for our dolls without patterns. At age 15 I began a 20 year business in furniture reupholstery. And now, more recently getting back to making quilts as art and home decor, etc.



Inspiration...
Some of my inspiration comes from the colors and shapes and smells (the good ones!) in the natural world around me. Some of it comes from wanting to be a useful human being by making things that others can use and enjoy in their everyday lives. Some of it comes from seeing potential in things that can be recycled, repaired or repurposed rather than just throwing them away. Like many others, I'm always having to bittersweetly sort out which ideas to pursue, and which to just let disappear into the ethers.

Meditation Pillow Cover in Terra Cotta Jacquard

Little known facts...
~ I whimper and jerk a little when I'm falling asleep. Sometimes I can hear and feel myself as I'm drifting off.
~ I crave pizza. (Maybe more people know that than I had suspected.)
~ I secretly thought for many years that I must be an alien because I didn't fit in too well at times. (I  now     know that many people have thought the same thing.)
~ At age 14 I was riding to school on my bicycle and was hit by a car that didn't stop completely at a stop sign. I received 25 stitches in my right ear, and have a tender spot on my right leg to this day.
~ I dream frequently of trying to fly by levitating-sometimes I can!

The Giveaway!
Sarah has graciously offered to share one of her gorgeous creations to one lucky winner, and it's a winner's choice!  The winner gets to choose to receive either the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Pineapple and Star Mandala or the Cathedral Windows Pillow Cover in Rust and Olive.
This giveaway is open Worldwide!  It is also open to AWEteam members as well!

#1. leaving a comment on the blog feature article  of which pillow cover you would like  if you win!
                                                                             
                                                                        For Additional Entries:
                                                                                          #2. follow the AWEteam blog , that's this one!
Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala

     #3. "like" the new FFAW facebook fan page

     #4. join the AWEteam

     #5. follow AWEteam twitter

    #6. Make a purchase from either of Sarah's shops for one entry each purchase. Post your Purchase here!

    #7. refer a friend to participate in the giveaway
                           
   #8. follow Sarah's  blog
Cathedral Windows Pillow Cover in Rust and Olive


The giveaway is now closed!  A
winner has been selected using random.org.
The winner will be posted when I hear back from her!
One lucky winner will be drawn during our next First Friday Art Walk on Etsy, Oct. 1, 2010 
Lotsa Luck!

Join us tomorrow!  Sarah shares with the world her favorite recipe!

Wishing you an AWEsome Day!

93 comments:

  1. Really nice article about you Sarah! Best wishes to a very lucky winner!

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  2. That was fun to read about you, Sarah! I knew you are the salt of the earth person which is reflected in your beautiful, quality work.

    That Star Mandala pillow reminds me of a kaleidascope I used to adore when I was a child in Germany. It belonged to my Opa (Grandpa) and I was allowed to borrow it to gaze at it for hours while the adults talked (back then we had no TV.)

    Doris
    www.SturmDM.Etsy.com
    www.CrochetinginGeorgia.blogspot.com

    p.s. sometimes I have to post under Anonymous because I have Google issues - or Google has issues with me ;-)

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  3. Gorgeous Pillows! So cozy and so artistic!

    thank you,
    Irina
    www.IrinaSztukowski.etsy.com

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  4. Beautiful work! Love all your creations! Kerrie

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  5. Thanks everyone for your comments, remarks and compliments. Sarah

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  6. Love article, I love reading about the artists! Started to follow the AWE team on twitter and now on your blog. Such a fantastic name ;) Sarah my favorite pillow has to be the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala, its so gorgeous the colors compliment each other and it reminds me of a snowflake. And I love snow! It's probably just me but then again I am a bit crazy ;). Have a fantastic day, and it was great to read about you.

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  7. I would love to have the mediation cushion cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple Star Mandala. It is beautiful and I have just the place for it.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

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  8. I would choose the Meditation cushion! It is so pretty! Thank you!
    ms.johnsonmahs at gmail dot com

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  9. Please sign me up. Sarah, I appreciate all that you've shared and can say yes--this life is quite a journey. The Meditation Pillow has won my heart. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  10. I would love to win the Cathedral Windows Pillow Cover in Rust and Olive! I love the fabrics and the floral motif!!

    ruricloth[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  11. I would like the Cathedral Window Cover.

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

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  12. Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'd choose the Star Mandala, but both are lovely!

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  13. I love the meditation cushion!

    http://christiecottage.etsy,com
    http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

    <><

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  14. Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala is AWESOME!
    igea777@gmail.com

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  15. I "like" here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Friday-Art-Walk-on-etsy/126995814016699?v=wall
    igea777@gmail.com

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  16. I follow sarh blog as "orchismoria"
    igea777@gmail.com

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  17. I follow your blog as "orchismoria"
    igea777@gmail.com

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  18. How am I supposed to choose? Oh, decisions...I guess the Cathedral windows cover in rust and olive.

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  19. peripatetic33
    peripatetic33athotmaildotcom
    i like the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Pineapple and Star Mandala

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  20. I love the meditation cushion cover...it is the perfect thing for my meditation nook! Just what I have been looking for...here's to hoping!

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  21. I would choose the cathedral pillow cover.

    boswife @ gmail . com

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  22. i'd like to win the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Pineapple and Star Mandala

    ksumpte1 at kent dot edu

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  23. i am now following this blog via gfc as ravencolours

    ksumpte1 at kent dot edu

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  24. i am now following sarah's blog via gfc as ravencolours

    ksumpte1 at kent dot edu

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  25. The pillow cover-so pretty.
    All of her work is wonderful!

    http://Whatshername.Etsy.com

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  26. I followed this blog.

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  27. I tried to followed. Not sure if it did or not.

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  28. Sarah! I love your Cathedral window pillow. The work that went into it shows so well now, I can only imagine how it will look in my hands.

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  29. I "liked" and "favorited on my page" FFAW facebook fan page

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  30. OH!!! I joined! You must be one of the test groups. I LOVE how easy it was to join and I look forward to getting to know my new friends.

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  31. I love the Meditation Pillow Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala.

    megancrose at gmail dot com

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  32. PrimCookieHugs is now following AWETeam on twitter

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  33. I follow this blog via FB (www.facebook.com/megan.crose)

    megancrose at gmail dot com

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  34. I like First Friday Artwalk on FB (www.facebook.com/megan.crose)

    megancrose at gmail dot com

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  35. I follow AWEteam on Twitter (megancrose)

    megancrose at gmail dot com

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  36. I follow Sarah's blog with GFC

    megancrose at gmail dot com

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  37. PrimCookieHugs tweeted about this giveaway to all her twitter friends/

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  38. Hmm...I love your Cathedral window pillow. Hope it's my lucky day =)

    heritage_indonesia@yahoo.com

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  39. I would definitely choose the meditation cushion cover. Beautiful work! Thank you for making this possible.

    mDOTkurokoATgmailDOTcom

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  40. i would like to win the meditation cushion cover in olive and pineapple and star madela, please. thanks!
    khrisocubillo at yahoo dot com

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  41. following your blog via gfc as khrista porcadilla
    khrisocubillo at yahoo dot com

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  42. following aweteam on twitter as bellekhris
    khrisocubillo at yahoo dot com

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  43. following sarah's blog via gfc as khrista porcadilla
    khrisocubillo at yahoo dot com

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  44. I'd love to win the meditation pillow. Just the look of it makes me feel calmer :)

    bluemartini at hotmail dot com

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  45. What a lovely and fun article on Sarah. I'm very fond of the Cathedral Windows pillow. It has such great contrast!

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  46. I'd choose the cathedral windows cover.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    --Liza

    ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  47. This was hard...they are both beautiful. I'd choose the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Pineapple and Star Mandala. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  48. Hi! You are very talented. I like the Cathredal Windows cover for sure. :) Thank you for a beautiful giveaway!

    aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

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  49. I love the Cathedral Windows cover!

    teapotofkarma@googlemail.com

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  50. I would certainly choose the meditation pillow. It's soooo lovely!

    EmKat_Creations at hotmail dot com

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  51. I'm now a follower through GFC!

    EmKat_Creations at hotmail dot com

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  52. I now like the fb page, username: emraldekat.

    EmKat_Creations at hotmail dot com

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  53. I'm following AWEteam on twitter, username: emraldekat.

    EmKat_Creations at hotmail dot com

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  54. I am now following Sarah's blog through GFC, username: emraldekat.

    EmKat_Creations at hotmail dot com

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  55. Hey, this is a great site! It looks awesome!
    I just met sarah in the BnR and bought her great strawberry coasters. (I have to giggle here because I bought them to put next to my computer, so drinks won't slide on this fold out table. Today, I spilled my small amount of melted ice on my keyboard.) Can't wait to get them, Sarah!

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  56. gorgeous quilting! I have always loved 'cathedral windows' blocks & would definitely choose that pillow. thank you!

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  57. I would love to be the owner of the mediation cushion cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple Star Mandala.

    Also - these are incredibly gorgeous!

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  58. I love the Mandala design!!
    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    lesliedoll at hotmail dot com

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  59. I'd like the Pineapple Mandala cover. :)

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

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  60. I follow the Awe team via GFC.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

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  61. I like the First Friday Art Walk on etsy FB page. My username is wunderfraulein.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

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  62. following on Twitter! My username is my_wunderkammer.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

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  63. I follow Sarah's blog via GFC.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

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  64. I'd love the Meditation Cushion Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala
    engh.katie at gmail dot com

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  65. This is my first art walk as a new member of the team. I love the pillows especially the tera cotta one. Look forward to getting to know everyone

    www.AlexandrasStudio.etsy.com

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  66. They are both gorgeous!
    I'd choose the Medallion Cushion Cover in Olive and Tan Pineapple and Star Mandala.

    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  67. I follow the AWEteam blog.
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  68. I "like" FFAW on FB (under my name, Piroska).
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  69. I follow on Twitter.
    @pippirose77
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  70. I follow Sarah's blog.
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  71. I PERSONAL LIKE THE 2ND ONE SARAH ITS VERY DETAILED OF YOUR WORK,THIS WOULD BE AN HONOR TO HAVE AS PLACE ON MY BED A PEICE OF YOUR ART WORK SO BEAUTIFUL AS MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING OCTOBER 20TH AND THIS IS A FINE PEICE THAT YOU HAVE MADE.SOMETHING I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO BUT LOOKS A LITTLE COMPLACATED.LOVE THE ITEMS YOU MADE.

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  72. I love the Meditation Pillow Cover in Terra Cotta Jacquard.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  73. Facebook fan [Aik Chien]

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  74. Twitter follower @aikchien

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  75. I wonder if all artists don't quite fit in? Nice reading about you, my son was also hit by a car at a stop sign a few years back. I'm not a pizza fan probably because when I was a teenager I worked at a pizza place :)

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  76. I love Meditation. :)

    samyrocks92 at msn dot com

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  77. I "like" the new FFAW facebook fan page

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  78. Your link to join the AWEteam is giving me an error message. :(

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  79. Beautiful work, Sarah~ I would love to own the meditation cushion cover. It's stunning!

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  80. The winner of this Giveway is Miss Julie from the Northwestern U.S. Her choice was the Mandala Zafu.

    Thanks for everybody who participated!

    Sarah
    http://www.eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com

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We welcome all your AWEsome comments!