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Monday, September 5, 2011

Giveaway - owl anyone?

I am reading in blogland that Autumn is in the air in Blighty and that children are heading back to school and generally that Summer is nearly over.  I thought it might be a good time for a treat.

It's Labour Day here.  Which means a day off.  We've been out and about a lot this weekend, but today has been spent making this:



Yes indeed.  I made that.  Not just sewed it.  Made it up.  From scratch.  Me.  I have realised how easy envelope cushion covers are to make, and now I want to revamp every cushion in the house.  But I want to start with a thank you giveaway.


I had an idea that it might be good to have my own interpretation of what seems to be the craft mascot of the moment.  

Google is awash with owl images so it was all a bit bewildering at first.  But eventually, I found this one and knew that I could make it work with what was in my head.  


I then spent lots of time faffing around with different scraps of fabric and generally making a mess.  I hadn't used my sewing machine in a couple of months so that was all a bit daunting too.  But in the end, it all came together pretty well.


Okay, so it's all a bit rough around the edges, but I think that makes it more home-made looking.  And I like the perplexed expression.  (If I didn't exist yesterday and now found myself living on a cushion cover, I think I'd be a bit perplexed too...).

I wasn't quite sure what to do about the feet (talons? claws?).  But then a particular piece of fabric emerged at the top of the heap and I knew this would be just the thing.


Anyway, all this is a prelude to saying thank you.  Eight months ago I had no idea how to sew or to crochet, and I didn't read blogs. Neither did I know that there was such a fab support network of lovely people out there just bursting with goodwill and enthusiasm waiting to cheer me on.  So I thought I'd say thank you with my owl mascot.  

I'm also very preoccupied with my move coming up.  So, I thought that should come into it somehow too.  

Here's all you have to do: 

1. If you'd like the chance to win the owl cushion cover ( padding not included but it's about 17 inches square), then please leave me a comment telling me where you'd like to live in the world.  

2. You don't have to worry about what you'd live off, or whether you could take your pet giraffe, or where your kids would go to school, or whether there will be sweetpeas there.  All that is included in your fantasy place. 

3. Maybe you're already living in your dream location (lucky duck).  If so, I'd love to hear about it. 

3. And if you blog about my giveaway on your blog, come back and leave me another comment and you'll be entered twice.

That's it really.  Hope you like it.

C.x

Oh yes, forgot to say the posts will be open until 19 September.

13 comments:

  1. I am always changing my mind, but at the moment possibly Devon or Dorset - they always look so nice in the pictures! I do think your solution for the feet is inspirational - you have come a long way for someone who has not been sewing long!

    Pomona x

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  2. I would like to live in Edinburgh or Cornwall
    So badly!!!!

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  3. I loves him! Well done you creative little bee.

    I've tried to think about where I would like to live but there are so many places - obviously I want to go back to Manchester because I've loved her for so long, but then I had my love affair with Newcastle a while back so I don't know if I should say there.

    And then there's the part of me that's always wanted to live in America although I have absolutely no idea where in America I would want to live.

    And then I think that really I'd like to live somewhere where I'd be able to see all my family and I realise that that's not possible so please could I live in a tardis? That way I could travel round everywhere and see everyone.

    And I'm pretty sure there'd be room for a pet giraffe in there.

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  4. There are times when I would like nothing more than a fabulous Brownstone on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with so much vibrancy and adventure outside my front door... then there are times when I crave to live in a little apartment in a little Italian medieval village, where there is no rush and the food is as fresh and tasty as can be... and sometimes I'd settle for a glass backed Art Deco house over-looking Lake Windermere - with its own jetty of course!

    Love the owl cushion cover, without intending to, I have been collecting owls for some time now. The feet are genious. x

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  5. Oh my, he's gorgeous (not sure why I think he's a he) ... love him :D

    Where would I like to live ... I'm greedy, I don't want to move from where I am because this is where my children are, but I would love a cottage on Shetland and another on the Suffolk coast, and then I'd divide my time between the three. Now that really would be heaven!

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  6. I'd have to split my time between Ireland and New Zealand - though if the truth be told I'm very happy where I am now (Gloucestershire, England) it's people that matter, not places!

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  7. Thanks for the encouraging comment on my blog! 'To learn to knit & crotchet' are top of my 'to do' list for this year...
    Where, would I like to live most? Here, just where I am, surrounded by my quirky collections ('clutter' according to Mr TH), close to family & friends. The only thing that would make the location even better would be for my sister & the gorgeous nieces to move within walking/ 'popping in for a cuppa' distance...

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  8. Ooh, you clever thing, it's so pretty! We are engaged in moving at the moment, too, and the stress of it is sending me quite mad! We're hoping to move to a town in the Cotswolds, which I'm happy with, although I did read your comment elsewhere saying that your Granny house is in Aldeburgh, so I reckon you've picked yourself pretty much the perfect place to live right there! Thanks for the lovely comments. Laura x

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  9. Ahhhhhhh yes - I think you may of figured it out already.

    What a beauty.

    Nina x

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  10. Yay what a lovely cushion...

    hum let me think... Actually I have no idea where I would want to live. I know that one of the happiest places I have lived in was Thailand with my blogging partner Laura (see above comment) and the lovely Ben, of course we were all very young then. I think if I could find a lovely house perched on a cliff with a lawn and a path down the cliff to a small rough beach I would be pretty contented. Annie

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  11. Hi there,
    The place I would love to live, would be the Mojave Desert. It is so beautiful there and the sun shines more than 350 days a year. I need and love sunshine. My house would have no lawn, just desert landscaping...Greetings, Heidi

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  12. I would choose Vancouver, that's so easy. But only if my parents would come with us but then that wouldn't ever happen ..
    What a cutie owl, I know just who would like to cuddle up to that!
    Kate

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  13. Whoops I think Im too late!
    What a sweet owl! He looks so frinedly and well done to you for making the whole cushion!
    A few years ago I wouldve probably said anywhere but the UK just for a change, but as I get older I realise that I am quite happy here! How dull! A different county and house though would be good - a house with a garden by water, an estuary maybe, so hubby could sail and i could garden, sew and daydream!
    Gill xx

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