1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!

 

Halloween costumes that are ill-fitting, too expensive, look cheap, and uncomfortable are a thing of the past!  Join us this year for the 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Contest hosted by Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops!  Sewists (or sewers, seamstresses, sewing enthusiasts, people who sew...) will battle with seam rippers, tape measures, scissors, and thread to be graced with the title "Handmade Halloween Super Star" and win some great prizes from some great folks!

 

To Enter:

1.  Choose a pattern or patterns from our website and construct a Halloween costume for yourself, your child, your grandchild, your niece/nephew... whoever you would like to sew for!  You only have to use this pattern as the basis of your costume.  Feel free to add accessories, wigs, or use store-bought components (or even pieces you made using patterns that aren't on the site), as long as the majority of the costume is sewn by you from patterns we have available.  Patterns do not have to be purchased from our site (though we would love you if you did).  You can purchase the pattern directly from the designer, or it can be a pattern that you've had in your stash for awhile, either way is fine as long as it is a pattern that we currently have available on our website!

 

2.  Sew up your costume before October 20, 2013.  **** UPDATE****  You now have until October 30th to submit your entries!!  This will be the last day to enter.  Please do not submit photos of costumes that you have made in previous years or that you did not sew yourself.  Those entries will be disqualified.  Also, please do not make any major modifications to the pattern being used.  We need to be able to recognize with pattern for judging purposes.  Feel free to embellish until your heart is content!  Please keep in mind that the costumes need to family friendly.

 

3.  Submit 3 or more high-quality photographs of the costume being modeled.  Email them to me by clicking on the link here.  Be sure to include your name, email address, which patterns you used, and what the costume is (a brief description).  One entry per person, however, if you've made several costumes, you can photograph them all together and submit them as one entry.  If you can make a collage of all the photos, you can submit one collage instead of 3-4 separate photos.  Picmonkey.com is a great (and free!) way to easily make collages and download them to your computer. 

We're sorry to all of our International friends, but this contest is only open to US Residents.   

 

Judging:

All entries will be judged on three areas:

 

1.  Originality and Creativity

2.  Sewmanship (Is that a real word?) and Quality

3.  The "wow" factor!  Razzle-dazzle us, ladies! 

Once photos are submitted, we will post them here on the blog, and also upload them to our Facebook page into a contest album. 

The 10 photos with the most likes during our open voting period (starting on October 20th, 2013) will progress to the next round.  From there, we will allow our panel of judges composed of some of our favorite pattern designers to cast a vote for their favorite.  Once we tally up the top 5 costumes from that vote, Krista, Dianne, and I (The Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops team) will determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.  ****UPDATE****  On October 30th, a group of designers and the FF&L team will each choose our top 3 favorites, and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner will be tallied from those results.
 

 The contest will run from September 2nd- October 20th.  **** UPDATE****  You now have until October 30th to submit entries!!  We'll have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner.  Winners will be announced on Halloween! 

 

Prizes:

 

And what will the winners be getting you might wonder?? 

We've got an awesome collection of prizes from some great vendors! 

For our 1st Place Winner:

A $50 Plum Box from Pick Your Plum

 

A $20 Gift Certificate to Purpleseamstress Fabric

 

45mm Splash rotary cutter ($17.99 MSRP) and a 2/pk of 45mm blades ($15.49 MSRP) from OLFA

 

 $25 Gift Certificate to Modern Yardage

A $30 Gift Certificate to Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops

 

For our 2nd Place Winner:

 

A $25 gift certificate from 5BucksaYard.com

 

$20 Gift Certitificate to Fat Quarter Shop
 

A 3-pack of patterns from Wonderfully Made 4 You

A $20 Gift Certificate to Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops

 

For our 3rd Place Winner:

A Fat Quarter Bundle from Riley Blake Fabrics

A $10 Gift Certificate to Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops
 

 Those are some pretty nifty prizes, if I do say so myself!  We are going to have some happy people on Halloween!  Go visit our sponsors and show them some love! 

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If you need a Trick-or-Treat bag, we've got this fantastic pattern from Hadley Grace Designs you could use!

 

 

And these applique embellishments from Angel Lea Designs would be the perfect way to add some Halloween flair for Trick-or-Treating!

 

 

We are soooo excited to see what everyone creates!  When you have your entries ready, send them here!  If you have a costume in mind and are looking for the perfect pattern to bring your idea to life, send us an email, and maybe we can help!  Put your thinking caps on and start sewing, ladies! 

 

Have fun, and sew something magical!!
 

Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

Sew and Tell with the Nova Top and Dress

 

Hi sewing friends!  In case you haven't heard, Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops is back and better than ever!  We had to go offline to take care of some much needed behind the scenes upgrades, but we've reopened with lots of cool features and an awesome mobile site for shopping away from home!  Check out the new website! 

 

If that weren't reason enough to celebrate, here's one more...  our Sew and Tell Review today is The Nova Top and Dress from Popolok Design!  You're going to want to make sure you take advantage of the 25% off discount on this one!  I love this little peplum top with a sweetheart neckline!  The Nova is a gorgeous, sassy, versatile, and blow-your-mind-it's-written-so-well pattern.  It can be made as a sleeveless peplum top or sleeveless peplum dress, and both styles can be made with a cap sleeve.  That's 4 ways to sew up this pattern- SCORE!!!  It comes in sizes 1-8 in girls.  There's an incredibly detailed finished measurement chart included that will help you choose the perfect size for you little one!  The bodice is fully lined and features an invisible zipper.  DON'T let that scare you!!  She gives incredible directions on how to install the zipper, and I just installed my first invisible zipper a mere few days ago in a different pattern, and it was a piece of cake!

 

And I wasn't kidding when I said it was an unbelievably detailed pattern.  The pattern pieces and tutorial come in separate files so you can quickly print the pieces without having to search through the pattern for them.  She tells you step by step how to print out the pattern pieces, which are all nested and color coded to cut down on paper and ink usage.  The tutorial itself contains lots of helpful photos and the directions are clear and easy to understand.  Alviana (the fabulous designer) thought of EVERYTHING, and I promise you this is an excellent, well-written pattern.  I can't say enough good things about it, so I'm going to let Stephanie take it from here...

 

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Hello!  I'm Stephanie.  I'm a SAHM to my two minions.  I'm lucky enough to have a boy and a girl to sew for.  I grew up watching my mom sew quilts, but to be honest she wasn't patient enough to teach me to sew as a little girl.  I actually didn't learn to sew until 2011, when my daughter was a year old and had picked out a cute bird/birdhouse fabric on a trip to Joann's that had originally started out as a scrapbook paper hunt.  I bought a yard of the fabric, went home and didn't know what to do with it.  I watched a ton of Youtube videos and made my very first dress.  I was hooked!  I would say I'm now an advanced beginner - intermediate sewer, somewhere in between. 

 

 

I chose to review The Nova Top/Dress by Popolok Designs.  Alviana knocked it out of the park with this one.  It's a stylish top or dress that is a pretty quick sew.  It has a cute sweetheart-illusion yoke with options to add a gathered cap sleeve.  The bodice is fully lined and all seams are encased in the lining. 

I decided to sew the sleeveless top variation and completed it in one sewing day.  Minus all the breaks I took taking care of my minions it took about 3 hours from cutting the pattern pieces and fabric to the final hemming. 

 

 

The Nova Top was pretty easy to sew up.  The most difficult part for me was attaching the front yoke to the main front fabric.  I've always had a problem sewing concave and convex curves, but if you follow Alviana's instructions, you'll get it.  I think a beginner could make this if they are good at following instructions and if they have the basics of sewing down.  There are colored photos for every step of the way.  Even though there is  an invisible zipper on the back and the bodice is fully lined, I believe it would be good practice for a beginner, especially since the instructions to attach the lining and zipper are so easy to follow. 

 

 

The pattern is beautifully put together.  Alviana has little boxes spread out throughout the directions with an adorable little bird providing helpful tips.  The directions are clear, concise, and well-written.  The steps are numbered as well as the pages.  You will receive two separate PDF's, one PDF for instructions and one PDF for pattern pieces, so it's a breeze to print only the pattern pieces.  The pattern pieces were clearly labeled and numbered and the pages were easy to piece together once printed.  Just match the labeled triangles and tape. 

 

I love the way The Nova Top looks on my daughter!  I made her a size 3.  I think I could have used a size 4 in length because she's so long, but the 3 fits her perfectly width-wise, and she wears a 3 in RTW garments.  The finished top measurements match up with Alviana's measurements. 

 

I found this Riley Blake 'Promenade' Blue Main Fabric on Etsy with Southern Seams Fabrics and thought it would be just perfect for this stylish peplum top.  The necklace, I custom ordered from Jax & Jewels on Facebook.  Both shops were super quick with shipping. 

I can't wait to sew up another Nova Top for my little girl.  I love that it's a big girl style with sweet, unique features.  I've been eyeing a few other Popolok Designs patterns and think Alviana's style is different from anything I've seen, and that's why I love it. 

 

 

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Um, wow!  That's gorgeous!  I seriously have the pattern printed and ready to go on this one because after seeing Stephanie's cute little top, I have to make one, too!  I can see this working under a cardigan when it starts to get cool outside.  It would also be adorable paired with a mini skirt and leggings layered underneath.  Such a fun design!  Be sure to get it for 25% off for the next few days over on the website :)

 

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Pair it Up!

In case you were wondering what would work well with a top that has this much character to it, let me help :)  May I present to you ....

 

The Darling Jeans from Pink Fig Design are just so unique and girly!  What little girl wouldn't want to put on a pair of these jazzed up jeans?  Take a great fitting pair of store-bought jeans and use this tutorial to help you achieve extreme levels of cuteness! 

 

 

Another great pair of pants you'll be able to wear with the Nova Top (as well as a whole closet full of other tops and dresses), are the Everyday Knit Ruffle Pants from Jocole.  These were actually my first knit sewing project, and I found the pattern so quick and extremely easy to follow.  I love how they turned out!  This pattern comes in sizes NB- 5T and includes a bonus pattern for dolls. 

 

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Lots of cuteness here today, right?!?  Don't forget to head over to check out the new website!  And we are working out the final details for our 1st Annual Halloween Costume Contest!!  We're very excited to share the info with all of you, so stay tuned for that announcement!

Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

Sew and Tell with the Casey Unitard

Hi everyone!  Welcome back for another Sew and Tell!  This week we are flippin' out over the Casey Unitard from Mountain Ash Design!  My daughter is as bouncy and energetic as they come, and I know it's only a matter of time before she wants to take gymnastics.  How cool is it that I'll be able to make her leotards one day?  And lucky for you, if you need to invest in some dance wear, swim wear, or gymnastics patterns, Mountain Ash Design has you covered!

 

The Casey Unitard is great for little tumblers of all ages.  It comes in sizes 2- 14, which is a great size range.  And there are two strap/sleeve options offered.  You can make the unitard with spaghetti straps or with a tank-style top.  Don't think you need anything fancy such as a serger to stitch up a pattern like this.  A regular sewing machine will get the job done, too!  Just take a few minutes to play around with the stretchy fabric and get your settings correct regardless of the machine you are using, especially if you are new to sewing with stretch fabrics. 

 

We've got a great review sent in to us by Kristen.  Read below to find out more about the Casey Unitard pattern!

 

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HI!  My name is Kristen.  I can be seen on Facebook mostly at KristenKreates.  I am a SAHM/WAHM to 3 amazing little ones.  I first learned to sew in elementary school when taking home economics, and we were actually taught to cook and sew.  I still remember what I learned to make that year (Snickerdoodles, an elephant pillow, and a gorilla stuffed animal.)  As I was growing up, my mom had a sewing machine but she NEVER EVER let me use it.  I may have occasionally pretended to be sick so I could stay home and play with it.  SHHH! When I got pregnant with my oldest, I picked crochet back up and made her a few sweaters, but what's a sweater without a cute dress?  And I began to sew again after she was born and haven't stopped since.  I have sewn cloth diapers and nearly any type of clothing you can think of.  I find it very therapeutic.

 

 My oldest is a long lean little one.  If I measured her width, by most patterns she would wear a size 3, but she is 8 years old.  I was easily able to trace a size 6 width and a size 8 length.  Sewing comes in handy especially for her.  She is an active little one and is taking Gymnastics this summer.  Yes, she had a leotard or few, but being a mama that sews she needed more, of course.  I noticed the Casey Unitard pattern and fell in love with the style.  Through all of my pattern altering and drafting, I had yet to come up with the perfect unitard.  Was I ever in luck when I found the Mountain Ash patterns!

 

I found the pattern to be a quick sew.  I believe from start to finish this may have taken me an hour (if that) to print, trace, cut and sew the pattern.  It probably took us more time to choose our fabrics and fold over elastic than it did to sew.  I used a red tag dance/swim wear fabric I found at Joann Fabrics and a solid dance/swim fabric for the top.  Both are a cotton/spandex fabric.  I also happened to have a perfectly matching 5/8" fold over elastic for the straps.

 

I have mixed feelings about having to open each pattern piece individually.  The laziness in me was a little annoyed having to open each one I needed, but the frugal mom in me found it very helpful that I was able to print just the pieces I needed and not any extra.  Having sewn with knits previously, including dance and swim wear, I didn't have any difficulties at all.  The pattern pieces lined up perfectly, and the finished measurements were correct.  Another frugal appreciation is the options! Ask anyone who sews, the more options the better!!  This pattern had a tank option or a thin strap option, but there are options from there!  You can make your own binding, use FOE (fold over elastic) ect.  As a personal preference, I reinforced all the seams and topstitched the top to the bottom body.  I also crossed the straps in the back for her.  Makes the pattern well worth the money spent on it.

 

I found that the instructions were clear and easy to understand, and they provided more options.  For the experienced seamstress there were what I like to call the “cliff note” instructions, just a basic written step by step of what to sew in simple, short sentences.  For those visual learners, she included pictures to match with the simple instructions!  They really did make this a pattern for any level.

 

I liked it so much that I have actually already recommended it to a friend.  My daughter loves it, and we have received nothing but positive compliments on her unitard.  We are already trying to figure out which one to get next. I give Mountain Ash an A-!

 

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 That is one busy little girl!  You can tell she is a little ball of energy!  I'm impressed with how well the unitard is staying in place in all of these photos.  You certainly don't want your little one fidgeting, tugging, and pulling constantly, and this looks to be a great fit!  Plus, how fun is the leopard print fabric she used?  I bet all the little girls in her gymnastics class went home and begged their mommas to make them one, too! 

 

If you want to add performance wear to your repertoire, browse through our collection of Mountain Ash Design patterns available on the website.  And since we know you must be excited to try the Casey out yourself, we're offering it for 25% off for the next few days!  Take advantage of this great offer, and share some photos of your finished unitards with us on our Facebook page! 

 

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Pair It Up!

Here are some great options to help your little one get to and from practice or meets in comfort and style! 

 

 

   The Yoga Girl Pants, Capris, and Shorts pattern from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop would be perfect to slip on over a leotard before you get in the car.  Cute, comfy, easy to wear, they're great for PJ bottoms or lounging around the house, too!  These can be made in sizes 3m- 12 years.




The Summer Tunic from GreenStyleCreations makes a perfect cover-up!  Whether it be for a day at the pool, gymnastics practice, or a trip to the playground with friends, this tunic the one you want!  Love the ruffle detail around the neckline!  This one comes in sizes 18m- 12 years. 

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Alright ladies, let's get ready to tumble!  Hope you have as much fun stitching up one of these unitards as your little one will have wearing it!

Go sew something magical!

Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

Kikoi Patterns Giveaway and Petite Kids Boutique Sale!

Just to give you all a heads up, our Kikoi Patterns Giveaway ends tomorrow, July 26th at midnight CST!  Make sure you've entered for your chance to win a sewing pattern of choice from one of our newest designers, Kikoi Patterns!  We'll choose five winners, and entries are low right now, so you're chances are looking good ;)  You can enter the giveaway here.

 

Also...

We have our entire collection of Petite Kids Boutique patterns on sale for 25% off until Sunday, July 28th.  No coupon code needed, prices are already marked down :)  Here are a few of our best sellers...

 

 

 

 

 Now go shopping, enter the giveaway, and sew something magical!!

 

Sew and Tell with the Crayon Art Folio

 

Let's start off your weekend right with a fun little project the kids will love!  This week we are featuring the Crayon Art Folio from Gingercake Patterns & Design.  You'll have plenty of time to stitch it up before school starts back (I know, I know.  I don't want to think about school either.) or your late-summer vacations! 

 

The pattern is designed to hold up to 12 crayons and a 5"x 8" note pad for doodling.  I like that this pattern includes a mini version of the Crayon Art Folio that is perfect for sticking in your diaper bag or purse when you need to keep the kids quiet on the go.  I think just about any kid would love to have one of these to tote around ;) 

 

Here's the super-duper awesome review from Nicole!

 

Hello! My name is Nicole Washburn, and I chose the Crayon Art Folio pattern from Gingercake Pattern & Design to review. I have been married for 18 years (yes, I was a child bride haha!), and we have a three energetic kiddos, 9, 6, and 3 years old. My 6 year old daughter loves to bring her art supplies everywhere she goes, so I knew this would be a hit with her (and all her friends…hello birthday gift)! I would call myself an intermediate sewist. I have been sewing for about 10 years and enjoy sewing goodies for my three children and their friends, as well as household items like pillowcases and curtains.

 

The crayonfolio took about an hour and 15 minutes to cut out and construct start to finish. For the main ‘body’ of the crayonfolio, there are measurements given as a guideline in the pattern instructions as well as a two page guide to print out. The same printed pattern guide is used to create the pockets (the paper is just folded to the correct size). The straps are created by using the measurements given and either fabric or ribbon can be used. Velcro is also required. All fabric pieces require fusible interfacing and a piece of thin batting is also used. Obviously basic sewing supplies like pins, scissors and/or a rotary cutter are needed, too. If you want to embellish the crayonfolio, additional supplies like rick rack, buttons, and ball fringe can also be used.

 

The pattern was very simple to follow, and I think a beginning sewist would have little trouble. The pictures are helpful and have writing on them as well so that you know which pieces are which as you sew. I found it very helpful to refer to her finished picture on the first page of the pattern while reading the instructions. The only tricky part of the entire process was turning the entire thing right side out and topstitching. It is quite thick at this point, but my sewing machine had no trouble getting through it.  

 

 I liked that the pattern includes more than one pocket. It includes a pocket for crayons (8 crayons are shown in her pattern picture but I was able to fit 16 easily albeit tightly), and two larger pockets for paper, note cards, flashcards, or stickers. The handles of the crayonfolio can be made of grosgrain ribbon or fabric but I thought the grosgrain would be pretty flimsy, so I chose the fabric. Two long Velcro pieces keep the crayonfolio together. My daughter has been carrying the one I made around for the past day and a half, and it shows no wear at all. Nothing has fallen out, and she loves it!

She includes a link to flickr so that you can see how others have embellished their crayonfolio. The first one I made I kept pretty simple, only adding rick rack to the outer edge. To the second one I made, I used more fabrics (mostly scraps that looked fun together!) and added lots of embellishments like rick rack trim to the inner pocket and the outside fabric and decorative buttons, and my daughter loved it even more! The second one took only 45 minutes to create.

This will become our go-to birthday gift for sure! It was fun to combine different fabrics from my fabric scraps to make a truly unique item.  

 

A bonus that, at first, I didn’t realize was included is a smaller, mini crayonfolio pattern. It is about half the size of the original and holds four crayons and small pad of paper. I imagine this would be a great party favor to make for a birthday party or as a ‘keep your kids busy while waiting for food in a restaurant’ item. When I noticed the smaller version was included, it got me thinking that it would probably not be very difficult to modify the pattern and make it larger. My daughter loves her art supplies, especially her sketch pad, markers, and colored pencils which are too big for the crayonfolio, so I think I will try to make a larger version next. To personalize it, I think I will add an appliquéd initial to the outside as well.

Overall I am so glad I made this pattern. It was simple to construct, easy to follow, took very little fabric (great stash buster!), and was fun to embellish and personalize. I highly recommend it!

 

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Who feels the urge to make their kids a Crayon Art Folio now?  I know I do!  My kids are coloring maniacs!  Our church is meeting in a restaurant for the time being while our new building is being finished.  That means no nursery/children's classes to send them off to.  This would be perfect to keep them entertained while they are with me for the next few weeks!  If you want to purchase this pattern, you can find it on our website for 25% off for probably the next week or so!  We'd love for you to share pictures of your finished projects over on our Facebook page! 

 

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 Pair it up!

Since the thought of perfectly-pointed crayons always makes me think of the first day of school, let's check out a few patterns that are back-to-school worthy!!

 

 

First up, for the boys (and girls!) is The DrewB Blazer from Cali Faye Collection.  This pattern comes in sizes 2T- Child 10.  Totally adorable and a perfect "transition" piece to carry your little ones from summer to fall in style.  This was designed for boys, but looks super cute on girls, too!  The best part?  It's reversible!  I love when you can knock out two outfits in one project :) 

 

 

This is the Madeline Dress from Sew Sweet Patterns.  Makes your teeth hurt it's so sweet, right?  LOVE the Peter Pan collar and those fun buttons down the front.  This would be the cutest thing to put a little girl in for her first day of pre-school or kindergarten!  You can definitely pair this with leggings as the weather starts to turn cool, and I think a precious little cardigan on top would melt my heart.  This pattern comes in sizes 12m- Girls 8.  I just love it! 

 

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 Hope you all have a great weekend!  We have a giveaway going on until July 26th if you want to check it out!  We're giving away a few patterns from one of our newest designers to join Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops, Kikoi Patterns! 

 

Go sew something magical!!

Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

Kikoi Patterns Giveaway!

 

 

Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops is so excited to have Kikoi Patterns come aboard!  Designer Susan Yankowitz is a pattern-making superstar!  She is also the designer of another pattern line called Lilly La Manch that we are just as thrilled to offer to all of you!  Her patterns mainly focus on girls' clothing such as skirts, dresses, tops, and pants.  We love her fresh, modern designs and know you will, too!!   

In her own words, Susan says, "I consider myself to be extremely fortunate, because my job, such as it is, simply entails doing what I love.  I’m lucky enough to work with an amazing team of designers and developers on making and constructing sewing patterns.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the sewing."

 

 

 

Take a little peak at just a few of the gorgeous, unique designs that Kikoi Patterns has to offer!
 

 

 

 

So, you're probably thinking you want to try a pattern or two out yourselves, right?  Well, Kikoi Patterns feels so strongly that you'll be head over heals for these patterns, that they are letting us give 5 (yes FIVE!) patterns away!  Five lucky ladies will get to try out their favorite Kikoi Pattern for free! 

 

Here's how to enter:

 

1.)  Like Kikoi Patterns on Facebook.

2.)  Head over to the website and choose your favorite Kikoi Pattern from the collection.  Come back, and leave a comment right here on the blog letting us know which pattern is your favorite and that you "liked" their Facebook page!  Simple enough, right? 

3.)  And if you want an additional (and optional) entry, follow our blog and leave a separate comment telling us whether you are following via GFC or Bloglovin'. 

 

Make sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you win!   

 

  We'll leave the giveaway open until Friday July 26th at midnight.  Winners will be contacted/announced by July 28th. 

 

Good luck!!