Sew Much Ado Reviews

Blogher Review: OnStar FMV

2011-08-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of The Celebrity Apprentice, are you? Last season one of my favorite episodes was when the contestants were challenged to create and film a commercial for OnStar's new service, FMV. When I had the chance to try out OnStar FMV for myself, I of course jumped at the chance. In the past, OnStar was only available on GM vehicles as a pre-installed feature, but FMV stands for "For My Vehicle," which means that many different makes and years of vehicles can now enjoy OnStar service, even my Honda Ridgeline.

The technology comes in a rear-view mirror, with buttons to connect you with everything from directions to emergency response, and even to make hands-free phone calls.

I was excited to see the box arrive on my doorstep, and after opening the box, was pleasantly surprised. I had expected the mirror itself to be fairly bulky and wondered if it would be an eyesore, but it is actually only a touch larger than my previous mirror, and once installed, looked right at home in my truck.

As you know, I have two little boys, ages 2 and almost 4, who are my pint-sized back seat drivers.

Heaven forbid an emergency would happen while I'm driving, Automatic Crash Response can automatically alert an OnStar Advisor if I’ve been in a crash, even if I'm unable to respond. In more common "emergencies," OnStar can send someone to unlock my doors or to change a flat tire, and I can even make a phone call when I've left my cell at home. If you know me, you know these features will be well used :).

Our previous GPS unit had a touch screen, with a map to view directions, and since FMV uses voice-only directions, that's one feature I was sure I would miss. However, the first time I pressed the blue button to find directions, I instantly enjoyed that I didn't have to put the address in by hand like my old GPS directions required.

If I'm looking for a new quilt shop, I can let the advisor know the name and city and they'll look up the address for me and get me on my way - so convenient! I can push the button as I'm pulling out of my driveway and not waste any time fiddling with a touch screen.

Joel and I have been married for 7 1/2 years, and in that time have lived in 6 different states and one province! If only I had FMV's turn-by-turn navigation 7 years ago, it would have made the many moves so much easier, from finding the closet grocery store, to travelling from state to state. We will be moving to Washington (hello, state number 7) in the upcoming months, and I can't say how excited I am to have my new best friends to keep me from getting lost at every turn!

Although I love having a real live person at my fingertips whenever I need directions or help, one difficulty I have with OnStar is keeping Wyatt and Weston quiet enough in the background while I'm speaking with an OnStar Advisor. I can't say I blame them though, I'm sure the friendly voices in our vehicle are a bit strange to them! I'm sure they'll get bored of it soon enough and stop feeling the need to join in on the conversation :). Fingers crossed...

I'm thrilled with the Directions and Connections plan that I have, but if you're only looking for emergency type care, they also have a more limited (and more economical) Safe and Sound plan available.

I have to say that I really do feel more safe and secure with OnStar FMV in my truck. I love the turn-by-turn navigation, and have already made use of the hands-free calling, but the piece of mind that comes with knowing that my family and I will be taken care of in an emergency is priceless.

Visit the Facebook page to learn more about OnStar FMV, and visit your local Best Buy to get one for yourself! You can also read other reviewers' reviews by visiting the Prizes and Promotions section at Blogher!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Giveaway closed to new entries... Winner will be announced Monday, February 14th at Sew Much Ado!

You know Shabby Apple. You love Shabby Apple. Want to win one of their adorable dresses? Good, because...

Shabby Apple is giving away a dress to one very lucky Sew Much Ado reader!

Even better, the winner gets to pick between three of my favorite Shabby Apple dresses:

L'Amour

San Gabriel

or Frida K.

Can't wait? Shabby Apple is giving Sew Much Ado readers 10% off with code sewmuchado10off, so hop on over and check out their shop!

To enter this giveaway:

Mandatory Entry: Head over to Facebook and "like" Shabby Apple, then leave a comment on this post telling me you did, and let me know which dress you would choose if you won!

Additional entry (SEPARATE COMMENT - max two entries/comments per person): Be a follower of Sew Much Ado (go here and click "follow" on the left sidebar) or "like" Sew Much Ado on Facebook and leave a second comment letting me know.

If your email address isn't linked to your blogger or comment profile, leave it with your entry so we can contact you if you win!

Giveaway closes to new entries on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 11:59PM MST. The winner will be announced on Sew Much Ado on Monday, February 14th.

Ready... Set... Enter! Good luck!

Copycat Challenge Details

2010-10-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

Copycat Challenge Official Rules

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES...

What’s this all about?

I was inspired to host the Copycat Challenge after I made this dress. It was not entirely difficult to make (I said not entirely), and I know that you can also make designer looking items for yourself and your home on a real-world budget.

For the Copycat Challenge, enter your knock-off creations in three different categories for a chance to win some great prizes! Entries will be judged on overall appearance, level of difficulty, creativity, and anything else that could sway our wonderful judges (I'm sure they like chocolate!) J.

First, let’s get the nitty gritty behind us to make sure we’re all on the same page…

This contest is to showcase your knock-off inspired creations, while still crediting the original designer as your inspiration. It is not intended to encourage you to copy another designer's (whether large or small) idea and claim it as your own. Very importantly, the Copycat Challenge is also not intended to encourage anyone to copy another designer's idea and sell items using the original designer's ideas. That would be distasteful and disrespectful. We all gain inspiration from each other's ideas, but let's make sure to give credit where credit is due, and clearly state where our inspiration came from in all cases. There are many designers, both large and small, that work hard to make and sell their creations. Please respect their efforts and creativity.

1. You can start entering NOW! Submit your photos to the appropriate Flickr group (clothing, jewelry/accessories, or home décor/furnishings). Click on the appropriate button on the right sidebar.
*Make sure your photos are set to "safe" and not flagged to be hidden from searches or groups, or they may not show up in the Flickr group.*

2. Submit a photo of both your inspiration and your creation so the judges can compare the two. Make sure you credit where your inspiration photo came from. Also title your inspiration photo as "My Inspiration" so the judges know which photo is your knock-off. You may also link to your blog if you have one under the photo of your creation (you still need to post a separate photo of your inspiration). If you do not have a blog, make sure you leave some sort of contact info so we can reach you if you win!

3. You may submit a maximum of two photos of your personal creation (plus one of your inspiration item) for each entry.

4. Maximum two entries per person per category. That means you may have a total of six entries if you enter all three categories.

5. If you used someone else’s tutorial to create your knock-off, please credit the author with your entry.

6. Entries must have been created AFTER August 1, 2010. The date the photo was taken will appear in the Flickr group, and your photo will not be judged if the date reads prior to August 1, 2010. If your camera date setting was off, explain that in the comments under your photo so the judges will still consider your entry. Please be honest.

7. Entries will be accepted until Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:59 MST.

8. The finalists will be announced during the week of November 15-19, 2010 and readers will vote for their favorites from each of the three categories.

9. Each category will have one winner and one runner up, and will be announced on November 22, 2010.

10. International entries are accepted.

11. Failure to comply with the rules and statement above could result in disqualification from the Copycat Challenge.

SPONSORS AND PRIZES:

Clothing Winner:

Poppyseed Fabrics (visit the Poppyseed Fabrics blog here) - $25 gift certificate for fabric of your choice
MADE - two patterns of your choice
Snazzie Drawers (visit the Snazzie Drawers blog here) - two patterns of your choice
Little Lizard King - one pattern of your choice
V & Co (visit V & Co blog here) - one pattern of your choice
This and That - "Eat Something Pretty" eBook

Clothing Runner Up

Cuddle With Aloha - (visit the Cuddle With Aloha blog here) - Pillowcase dress - you choose which dress and size
Snazzie Drawers - one pattern of your choice
MADE - two patterns of your choice
Little Lizard King - one pattern of your choice

V & Co - one pattern of your choice

This and That - "Eat Something Pretty" eBook

Jewelry / Accessories Winner: