Saturday 11 December 2010

Giveaway

Here's a pre-Christmas give-away - offering two of my Silly-bird brooch cards, picked from those who leave a comment on the blog. We've got another two up for grabs on the Workshop on the Web Facebook page, but those are for WoW members only. So, if you a fan of WoW, go along and double your chances. .
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I do enjoy making these - I stitch the silk carrier rods to felt, cut out the shapes and then hand stitch. They all seem to have a different personality - such fun. I think the one below is looking for a loo!
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We are still loving our new home and have decorated our bedroom - aka slapping on a coat of emulsion. Poor Clive has paid the price by developing sciatica, not sure if the two events are related. He has some strong pills from the doc but it's still extremely painful.

Smudge is now allowed to go outside. He spent a lot of time in this position (below) just to get the lie of the land. This also demonstrates the need for a cat flap from the outsize department when we re-do the kitchen in the spring. It takes him a long time to squeeze through it, with much frantic leg kicking on the way. It quite funny to watch but I fear he will be wearing the flap as a belt soon.
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We have been out buying stuff for my workroom but the putting together of it will have to wait until Clive is better. He came with me to IKEA to get the stuff - it was a bit like the Fred and Penelope cartoons. I should have photographed him under one of the 'walk this way' arrows with desperation written allover his face. The caption would have been, "Clive felt that the IKEA experience had somehow passed him by".
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Back soon with news of the free on-line classes for the mixed media book. The first one will be based on silk paper, water-soluble paper and acryic wax. I'm hoping to put some kits together and will offer some as a give-away, so watch this space.

63 comments:

Gill said...

Love the pic of Smudge half in and half out!!
Please enter me in the giveaway for your bird brooches - I love them

Su said...

I love your bird brooches, please enter me in the giveaway. I've asked for your mixed media book for christmas so I'm awaiting the online classes eagerly.
That's a great pic of Smudge!

Heather said...

I just love your silly birds - they are such fun - please count me in for the giveaway draw. Poor Clive, I do hope he will soon be free from pain. Smudge seems to have settled in - you'll have to put him on a diet!! Looking forward to the on-line classes - the first one sounds great.

Gill H said...

I hope that Clive's sciatica gets better - very painful. Smudge will be the next one by the looks of things. I'm enjoying creating a piece using the techniques in Chapter 2. So far so good, though very slow! I'd love to win one your silly birds - they are just great. The one with crossed legs seems appropriate!
Have a wonderful first Christmas in your happy new home.

Vicki W said...

That photo of Smudge is HILARIOUS! The bird brooches are fabulous too.

Sue Krekorian said...

Poor, poor Clive - big hug from me for him xxx And, I love the Bird brooches - and Smudge!

Kathy, die Stichmücke said...

I really love your bird brooches. I wish you a Happy Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I so understand the IKEA experience - we only went the once (just for some edibles) and we both felt completely trapped). Love those birds; such personality. Please enter me in your giveaway draw. I often refer what you have written, so inspiring; thankyou.

PaulineC said...

Glad you are all enjoying your new home, although sorry to hear about Clive. Smudge sounds to be a real character.
Loving your bird brooches.
Happy Christmas.

Candace said...

Your bird brooches are adorable. I really love them. And I always enjoy pictures and stories about Smudge. What a character. Candace W.

Wolfie said...

Your bird brooch cards are absolutely gorgeous! And the pic of your cat straddling the door is priceless:) I've got two cats and a dog, and the things they get up to makes the day full of smiles:) I would love love love to be entered in the give away. Keep up the wonderful work! You inspire me to be creative:) Hugs, Ylva

WendyK said...

Lovely broches, they do seem to have personalities of their own. We had a cat called smudge, and she wouldn't have known what to do with a cat flap. I now have a picture of a cat with a square belt.
Clive has my sympathy, I had that last year.

JP said...

that photo of Smudge is so funny - he is still a character! - love the bird brooches too - how have you done the legs - they look really funny

artymess said...

we had a dog that used to try and get through the cat flap.....he chewed through it in the end ....oops ......would love to be entered in your giveaway ....love your work ....

4S said...

Love the picture of your cat, it reminds me of the one we have of our daughter, aged about 2-3, stuck in our cat flap, screaming her head off, horrible parents we wouldn't release her until we had taken the photo! Glad you are settling in ok. Can't wait for the online classes, already subscribe to WOW, it was my Christmas pressy last year from 'him down the shed'. Please count me in for the giveaway.

Stitcher said...

Smudge is great!! Please enter me for the giveaway draw.

Julie said...

I saw your Silly-bird brooches at the K&S Show and loved them, they are so quirky and fun. I would love the chance to win one. I love the thought of Smudge wedged in the cat flap surveying his new domain! I hope Clive gets over his sciatica soon. Acupuncture is a great help, my DH had to resort to it and it was amazing!

jill said...

Love the new book, its settled in well with the rest of my collection. One of your bird brooches would really suit my jacket too. Thanks for the Smudge entertainment.

ju-north said...

Pleased Smudge is living up to his reputation! Please put me in the giveaway for a brooch!

sewbeit said...

Love the pictures . Love your books.
Love the online classes. Love WOW.
Would LOVE a bird. Hope Clive feels more comfortable!! Good luck and Merry Christmas in your new home.

Penny said...

Hilarious photo of Smudge. Love those birds.
Hope to get the book in the New Year, life has been all over the place here for the last few months.
Clive seems to have the same reaction to Ikea as my hiudband.

Sandy said...

I'm with Clive Ikea makes me nervous. I'd love one of your pins. Smudge will figure it out.

Sue Wild said...

I really like the silly bird brooches they are really cute and quirky. It takes quite a while to settle into a new home so I wish you well with the challenges ahead.

Aussie Jo said...

The bird brooches are lovely Maggie, would love to own one!!

Anonymous said...

love the bird broaches,hope Smudge's legs don't get like the birds if he can't get through the flap.

Deb's Artful Journey said...

I love your bird brooches!! They are so adorable! And kitty butt... too cute!!

Margaret Garrood said...

I love the cat photo!
I'm looking forward to your online classes- the book is great so I'm sure they will be fun.
Please include me in your give-away.

Erica said...

Maggie, I do hope Clive is pain free very soon so that you can both really enjoy your new home. The birds are so quirky! Please include me in the draw. May your Christmas be truly blessed.

Emma said...

Loved your birds when you first posted them - I'll go over to facebook in the morning.

If I ever need to cheer myself up in all this Christmas rush I will come here to look at smudge & read your description of his photo, oh how I laughed!

Johoanna Robson said...

The bird brooches are beautiful. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks so much. Happy holidays to you.

Edie said...

Smudge is just too cute! Two of our dogs have outgrown their doors, too - of course, they're over 150 pounds and we can't put another door into the door or there would be no door! LOL!

I would love to win one of your birds. I miss having birds as companions, but with 5 dogs, well, one must make choices...

Edie
wowie, too

Lexa said...

I love the sily birds! They really do have a personality of their own. I would love to own one from the draw. I laughed to tears at Smudge. Wish Clive a speedy recovery. I took my husband to IKEA, once. Desparation is the name of the result.

Downunderdale said...

Clive has my deep sympathy - sciatica is soooo awful - i have a lovely myotherapist (nice young man) who fixes me up - and love to see Smudge....... and your glorious bird brooches - fat cats next I reckon....

Pat said...

Photo of Smudge is wonderful and made me laugh. Times like this I miss having a cat. Ouch poor Clive I hope he is better soon.

Janelle said...

Hi Maggie
I love your silly birds, but don't necessarily think they are silly! I especially love the yellow and teal looking one (I love yellow and blue together!).
Hope you settle quickly into your new abode, and Clive is on the mend soon. Happy Christmas!

Kira said...

The cards are lovely and, as you say, individual characters for each bird.
I'm also planning to re-decorate my craft room over Christmas including painful trips to Ikea for my husband. Thankfully I have most of the furniture I need but you can never have too many boxes and doodads!

Gina said...

That picture of Smudge is priceless! Love those little birdies!

Olivia said...

my shortlegged JR has the same trouble and I cringe every time he goes through our dogflap in case he catches himself. Your bird brooches are so quirky,I love them. Please enter me for the giveaway.

Sarah Payne said...

Smudge is just too cute! please enter me for the giveaway as I would be delighted to give one of your birds a home!

Ann Christy said...

The bird brooches are lovely Maggie. I do hope that Smudge doesn't get stuck in cat flap - with plenty of opportunity to indulge at Christmas!!

Beverley said...

Love the pic of Smudge.
My cat refused to go out in all the snow... had his paws crossed, much like your birdie!!

gilby said...

Your little birds are full of joy and colour, i would love to have one winging it's way to me. Do hpoe Clive is feling better in time to enjoy christmas. I find trying to touch your toe stretches out the large sciatic nerve giving relief from the pain.
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to you both.

Robin Mac said...

Please count me in for the giveaway - I love the silly birds, and the photo of Smudge is priceless - poor thing, he will need to diet till you get a new door. I hope Clive is recovering fast.

Teeny said...

Oh, I love your bird brooches, they have such personality... and your latest book's been added to my wishlist, always so inspirational :o)

Lorraine said...

Smudge was my major laugh for the day. Would LOVE one of the wonderful birds. Can't wait for the new online classes.

Ev said...

I hope you don't laugh too loud at Smudge, my boy used to get quite indignant if we laughed at him when he did something silly. I do love your brooches, I was admiring them the last time I was "here" and it would be wonderful to have one - just call it migration south....I hope the weather is being a wee bit kind to you.

Viv Estill said...

Great to hear you've made it ti Ikea - I've got loads of their stuff in my workroom too - sorry to hear about Clive though - hope the pain goes soon. Please include me in your prize draw - love those birds!
Viv

Mags said...

Love the bird brooches. Happy Christmas!

Genie said...

Great Pic of Smudge Maggie,
glad your all settling in New Home Ok. the bird brooches are wonderful.
Happy Xmas

Jensters said...

Great giveaway and wonderful work.

magsramsay said...

Always lose the will to live in Ikea! Admired the birdies at K&S would love one to fly this way to inspire me.

Anonymous said...

Just love the photos of the snow. Your new home looks so cosy. Your snow and our floods have all come at the wrong time of the year.
I do hope that you and Clive have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

Joy V said...

Those little birds are beautiful - not silly at all!

AnnM said...

Can't wait for the on-line classes - have already tried out one or two little things from the book.

Hope Clive has found some relief from the pain.

Ann said...

Love the rear end of Smudge. Your birds are really cute. Ann

thelma said...

Love the bird brooches and would love to win one in the 'giveaway'.
Glad your move went well and that you are settling into your new home, pity about the continuing snow in your area especially with that hill!!!!
Thelma from the snowy Vendee.

Stitchety Grub said...

I luv your comments on your cat and the tight fitting flap - Hilarious - poor puss! Birdie brooches are just fab too.

Karen said...

Love the photo of your lovely cat trying to get out of the catflap - really made me smile. Also love the birdie brooch.

Gilli said...

I couldn't find if it said when the give away was over. None the less I would love to comment on the photo of poor Smudge- great shot!

Alison said...

Smudge has made himself at home very quickly. I would love to be entered into the give away for the bird brooch. Also merry Christmas to you all

Sandy Ang said...

Just adore what you wrote about Smudge trying to wriggle his way out of the cat flap. Thanks for the chance to win your wonderful brooches.

zak said...

Thank you - you have inspired me to make my own birdie! And I got carried away and made the face and beak out of purple and black fimo -I hope you don't mind me copying your idea..

Margeeth said...

There are catflaps for big cats or small dogs, perhaps he will fit more easier through one of those?