Post & Win! We want to know… August 13, 2008

Which eBook at www.YouCanMakeThis.com is one that you think you’ll want for your “Back-to-School” creating?  It could be one that was recently featured on ABC4-TV’s “Good Things Utah” program, or even one that you’ve had your eye on for a long time!  Post one that you would like and you could win it!  Contest ends this Friday, August 15th. One blog post/entry per person.  Let’s see what you want to make!

 

 

 

 

 

Want to make what is shown in the photo above?  That is a classic “A-Line Dress” found at YouCanMakeThis.com.  It is reversible, too!  The applique apples are for those who machine embroider.  You can download that design at SWAKembroidery.com.

Would you like to watch the video clip of our “Back to School” fashion segment? Click here to watch:

http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=85627@video.ktvx.com&navCatId=462

Just our little way of saying…THANKS. July 17, 2008

 

We’re celebrating our “2nd Birthday” at YCMT and we want to say THANKS for your support, feedback, and enthusiasm!

Fitting for Summer, this watermelon pillow is sure to brighten your home. Enjoy making something for you!  And if you have a friend, who you think is “one in a million,” (or should we say, “one in a melon?!”) make one for her, too.

Download today….make today!  Click here to find the pillow instructions in our FREE section! Have fun!

Help Us Celebrate YCMT’s 2nd Birthday! June 30, 2008

It’s amazing what can happen in 2 years. YouCanMakeThis.com has become more than just a place who carries eBook products. Over the last 2 years I have learned first hand what not only “building a business” is all about, but more importantly what that can do for others. 
 
Learning something new is so exciting. Once you learn how to do something, you want to share it with others. You want to make that special gift for someone you love. You want your child to beam as she proudly wears and exclaims, “My mommy made this for ME!” 
 
You know that “gift” was made especially with that person in mind. You know that when you walk by something in your home, that it was designed with that “room” in mind. You know that when people ask where you bought that item, you can happily say that you made it yourself.
 
What the women authors, extraordinary women, many who are moms, can now say is that they are a published author. They had a talent and are now sharing it with others. Yes, they are also bringing in that little extra income, too, which helps their families. On the other end, someone like yourself is learning a craft, a skill, a talent that also helps others. Perhaps you are someone that has now started a business of your own. Maybe you are a grandma who can’t wait to see the look on your grandchild’s face when they open up that box. And maybe you are excited to now teach a friend, neighbor, even your own child, a skill that will bring a lifetime of fun and joy. 
 
So, while we are an “eBook company”, what has happened over the last 2 years is much more than that. It has become a community of women (and I know there are many men, too!) who have a love of learning and sharing in common.
 
Thank you for being a part of our “You Can Make This” community. Thank you for having the “can-do” attitude to learn something new, despite wondering if you REALLY could make that. And from what I have read and seen, you really can. The entire YCMT Team, management, authors, and testers, appreciate the opportunity you have given each of us to do what we love. Thank you.
 
We’d love to hear from you. Week 1 in our celebration of our 2nd birthday involves posting to our YCMT blog. You can win, too!

Week 2 will bring a special surprise gift from us to you. Watch for that during the 2nd week of July.
 
Have fun creating and MAKE it a great day!
 
-Kim

You Can SEW This Kid’s Challenge! An Art Contest! June 13, 2008

OH–how exciting is this!  You told us that you want to get your kids crafting–all of your posts, emails, and survey responses said so!  So, we’re bringing to you free crafts for the summer for your kids.  We didn’t stop there!  How about an art contest for your kids with fabulous prizes–for you and for your child! 

Our two wonderful sponsors, Create for Less and Carry the Memories, have arranged for the winners to receive some very special prizes! 

Get your crayons and paper out, kids–and do your best back-to-school artwork to win!

 Here are the complete details & rules:

1.  Children should create the artwork using 8 1/2″ x 11″ white paper (copier paper) and crayons. 

2.  The paper should be horizontally oriented. 

3.  The artwork should consist of a back-to-school scene. 

4.  There are two divisions:  Ages 1-5, and 6-12. 

5.  Parents should either photograph or scan the drawing at a high resolution (don’t crop it or re-size the image) and send it by email to:  lorie@youcanmakethis.com.  If you would like to participate but are unable to photograph, scan, or email the image, please contact Lorie at the above address for further instructions. 

6.  Parents–PLEASE RETAIN THE ORIGINAL ARTWORK.  If your child wins, we may need the original to create one of the prizes. 

7.  With the artwork submission, please put all of the following information in your email:

Child’s name and age

Parent’s name

A brief description of the scene

The best way to contact you (i.e. email address, phone number) 

8.  YCMT will accept submissions from June 12 through July 31, 2008.   Mailed entries must be physically into our offices by July 31, 2008.

9.  Each child may only enter once. 

10.  Winners

Entries will be judged by the You Can Make this editing team.  A decision will be made no later than August 17, 2008 and winners will be notified according to their instructions, or by email if no instructions are given. 

There will be winners in two categories: 

Ages 1-5 and 6-12. 

Each of two winners will receive:

A $25.00 electronic gift certificate from our sponsor:


The parent of each winner will receive:

A designer “Abigail” photo handbag from our sponsor, Carry the Memories, displaying the winning art image of her child.  (The “Abigail” photo handbag is a black bag, 10.5″ Wide x 8″ Tall x 3.5″ Deep.  It has fabric handles, three interior pockets, a magentic snap,  and your choice of colored welting.)  The e-Book pattern for this bag debuts in July, 2008!  Sign up for the You Can Make This Newsletter to be notified when it comes out!

You Can Make This will also be awarding 5 randomly chosen prizes of 50 YCMT purchase points from the entries.   

Doesn’t that sound like some great incentive to spend a summer afternoon coloring? 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lorie at:  lorie@youcanmakethis.com

 

 

 

 

2 New Features at YCMT! May 27, 2008

We’re excited to bring you 2 new features at www.YouCanMakeThis.com!  This first is an addition to our YCMT-TV series!  It is going to be called YCMT 101 and members of the YCMT team will show you the basics of sewing and other techniques found on our site!

In short, less than 5 minute, video clips, you ‘ll learn the basics of sewing.  If you already know the basics, you’ll like knowing that even more advanced sewing techniques will be shown on video in the near future. We want you to be successful and this is a fun way to showcase the possibilities. 

It doesn’t stop at sewing though. We have filmed and will be broadcasting episodes for crochet, too! Your feedback lets us know what you’d like to see, and we can tell that there are many who would love to make so many of the darling crochet items found on the site, but do not know where to start! So we are also including segments for that, too. 

We’ll work to create episodes in other areas of design, as well. Tell us what you’d like to watch and we’ll see if we can help!

So head on over to the home page of www.YouCanMakeThiscom. Scroll down to the bottom where you’ll find video and you’ll find YCMT 101 there. Learn the basics of using your rotary cutting tools, different methods for gathering, how to install a zipper, and more.

And the second piece of news is that we are opening a new section of the site called, “KIDS Can Make This!”  Beginning in June, visit our site each week for a new FREE project download that you can do with your children! That’s right…KIDS can make this, too!  We’ve read your comments and know how much you enjoy sharing your love of learning something new, with your own children and grandchildren. So we’re going to help you create some fun memories (oh,and a fun project, too!) each week this Summer.

Let us know what you think! Post in the comments section about something you think your child would like to learn how to do!  Do you think your child(ren) will like this?

Or post about something you’d like to see shown on YCMT-TV.  Tell us if you learned anything new, if there was a good reminder, an ah-ha moment, or about someone you’re going to share this with. We’d love to hear from you!

Think about this… May 16, 2008

We would love to hear from YOU!  Take a look at the questions we’ve asked in the graphic to the right, and post to tell us what you think!

We’ll choose 5 random posters who will win 25 YCMT points!  We might even publish your comments in the You Can SEW This Newsletter.  C’mon–we’re listening!

Lorie & Kim

 

Do you know the answer to this QUILTING question? Post and win! April 18, 2008

 

 

We are so excited that you love the quilting side of You Can Make This that we’ve added a little corner (well, not so very little) to You Can SEW This, just for you!  We’re going to keep you up-to-date on quilt happenings on the site, maybe do an interview or two, share some techniques, and have more fun projects that are just for quilters.     

 

For this month, we have a question for you!  I received an email from Carlita, who says:

 

Hi Lorie!

 

I love the mystery quilt, [it] is so exciting and fun!  Thank You!  I was wondering do quilter’s use sergers?  If so could you tell me if they just serge the 1/4 in. seam or if they sew it then serge it? 

 

If you quilt and would like to help us out with an answer for Carlita, we’d love to hear from you!  Just post your answer to this thread.  We’ll choose 3 posts for 25 YCMT points added to your account—good toward e-Book purchases at YCMT.  We’ll also publish selected answers in the next Quilter’s Corner. 

 

 

 

If you don’t have an answer, but would love to post, let us know how you are doing with the Mystery Project, or if you’ve done any of the e-Book Quilts on YCMT.  We love to hear from you…..go post and we might just do something nice for you, too! 

 

Enjoy,

Lorie & Kim

Take a Look at the TREASURES You May Win! April 1, 2008

Over the last 2 weeks, you have worked together to find all 50 treasure boxes on www.YouCanMakeThis.com You’ve also told us some of your favorite eBooks or ones that you wish you could have!

This week’s “You Can SEW This” newsletter will tell you what EVERYONE has won since all 50 boxes were found. And some people will also be winning actual “treasures” donated by jewelry authors at YCMT! We want to thank those authors for their generous donation. We also drew out names of winners who will win donated eBooks from those who posted their wishlists!

 Winners will be notified and just may receive some of the following REAL jewels!

To learn how you can make these beautiful pieces of jewelry, please visit each of these authors:

-Learn how to make Bubble Glass Soldered Art Pendants by Be You Boutique! Click here.

-Learn how to make a Funky Fringe Barrette Bling or a Clustered Fringe Bracelet by So Very Gigi! Click here.

-Learn to make Beaded Rings by T8r Bugs! Click here.

-Learn to make a Boutique Bracelet by Little Peanut Company! Click here.

-Learn to make stamped jewelry by Joyfully Crafted! Click here.

You Can Find this Treasure! Ends April 2nd March 21, 2008

Sponsored by the “You Can SEW This!” newsletter, we are sending you on a treasure hunt!

To help you find that buried treasure,
we have narrowed the  search areas down
to sewing related categories. You’ll find
“buried treasure” in the following areas:

Quilting (You’ll find 5 treasure chests!)

Doll Clothing (3)

Clothing Creation (16!)

Make a Difference (1)

Handbags (7)

Home Decor (6)

Toys & Activities (2)

Since many of the “prized treasures”
are going to be given away by our
talented jewelry authors, you will also
find TEN buried treasures in the
Jewelry category!

Would you like to know more
details for this treasure hunt?!
It’s easy to do and will be a lot of fun!
Let’s work together to find
all 50 treasure chests! Why?
Keep reading….

Remember, once you find one, make a post. Post the page that the treasure was found and it COULD contain REAL TREASURE!  One post per person, but if you’d like to post to “CHAT” we’d love that, too! 

When all 50 treasure chests are found, EVERYONE on the entire “You Can SEW This!” and “You Can MAKE This!” newsletter lists, will receive a surprise! Gotta love that! 

Here’s what you are looking for:

Have fun!

You Helped Us Name It… March 15, 2008

…and now you can get it for FREE for one week!  From now until March 21, 2008, you can download this
“She Loves Me, She Loves Me KNOT” handbag! 

Have fun and be sure to post your photos of ANYTHING you’ve made from www.YouCanMakeThis.com
in the “I Made This!” section of YCMT!  Thank you for your support!

And just because I’m ready for SPRING, here’s one in some lighter fabrics!