Last week I gave you a peek at a small embroidery that was to be part of my first giveaway. I’m a little nervous about dipping my toes into the giveaway waters, since it could be a colossal flop, but there has to be a first time for everything, right? So here goes.
The peek I gave you was of a little bit of linen embroidered with perle cotton, and over the weekend I finished it into a small patchworked pincushion.
This pincushion is now ready and waiting for a new home. There are also a couple of fat quarters and some ribbon in coordinating colors. Of course, you’ll use your beautiful new pin cushion while sewing up something fabulous with the fabrics and ribbon.
(I know, you probably already have plenty of pincushions, but I like to collect them. I’m guessing maybe some of you out there do the same.)
Here’s the skinny:
For this particular giveaway, I’m going to have a little contest.
Last week I also posted my finished redwork dollhouse piece. What I didn’t tell you at the time is that I’ve stitched a few little “secrets” into the dollhouse. There are three of them. The first is a bit hard to pick out, but if you look at the “office” room, you’ll see a globe. On that globe, I attempted to stitch a tiny depiction of Australia, since the Quilt Project to which the piece is going originated in Australia. (I really didn’t do it justice, but the thought was there.)
There are two other hidden “secrets” in the piece, and there is enough information in the blog post about the dollhouse that you should be able to figure them out. The first person to correctly guess both “secrets” and leave a comment with the answer will win the giveaway.
BUT, please don’t let the contest aspect keep you from commenting, because if no one correctly guesses both “secrets,” I will randomly select a commenter to win the giveaway. You still have a chance of winning just by commenting, especially if these “secrets” are harder to figure out than I think they are!
Comments for this post will be closed on Monday, September 21, 2009, at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The following day, Tuesday the 22nd, I will announce the winner. I will contact the winner for a mailing address at that time as well. (If I don’t receive the information in a reasonable time, I will randomly select another winner.)
Ok, now, don’t let me look foolish here. Someone must want a sweet little cushion for pins, right? Get guessing!
UPDATE: I had a feeling this was going to be too easy. I’m already seeing some really great answers in the comments. (I’m not telling if you’re right, though. You’ll have to wait!) So, I’ve decided to add one more little prize for a random commenter. That means that next week I will announce the winner of this contest as well as draw a random name for a second gift (another embroidered bit yet to be determined). Keep ‘em coming!
Ooh this is so fun! Fantastic idea – I feel like a detective!
Are the clues from the whole piece? I hope so, because what I came up with was the picture if golfing in the office (referring to owing your hubby golfing time) and the box marked Sarah in the attic (referring to your cousin Sarah who inspired your love of cross-sectioned houses).
Am I right???!!!!!
written on September 14th, 2009, at 10:57 amI love that dollhouse! My guess for the secrets is the box in the attic labeled Sarah. You said she was a big source of inspiration for you. And maybe the quilt on the bed. I was also thinking that it might be the leaves on the picture above the bed since its almost fall. Hope I win! I was so inspired by your work, thank you!
written on September 14th, 2009, at 11:04 amOk….
written on September 14th, 2009, at 11:08 amSo I think the book on the floor with the pen, because you said in your original post how you loved pretending to be a teacher and having your materials ready…like pens and books.
Then the dedication to your cousin Sarah in the same play room at the top of the house.
I used to draw cross section houses all the time as a child…my mun still has a few of them…and have just introduced them to our girls.
Thanks for posting!
Char.
Skebba beat me to it! The golfing picture on the wall (referring to your husband) and the box labelled Sarah, your cousin and inspiration for the piece.
written on September 14th, 2009, at 11:18 amStill amazed by it detail! Such a great job.
Sorry! I am really rubbish at spotting things. But it did make me take a good look at your lovely embroidery – amazing detail! In fact, so many details I can’t decide which are ‘secrets’ :D Fabulous Giveaway!
written on September 15th, 2009, at 5:45 amI LOVE the pincushion – a girl can nevr have enough!
written on September 15th, 2009, at 9:09 amI think one scret is about Sarah and the rocking horse, and the other is about playing teacher, perhaps the ABC on the wall, the books and red pen. It could also be about the doll on the chair. Who knows – you do of course! Can’t wait to find out all your little secrets!
I just decided to take up needlework a few weeks ago and stumbled across your website. I love all your work, especially all the things you did for Christmas gifts last year. Anyway, I have to go with Char’s answers as well, the OK graded paper on the attic floor and the Sarah inscribed box. By the by, when we were kids my sister and I would also draw houses. It was so weird to see that we weren’t the only ones doing that :) We were really big on spiral staircases and to this day when I tour a house with a spiral staircase I want to buy it.
written on September 15th, 2009, at 9:57 amI think one of them is Sarah’s name in a box in the attic! OH and the golf comment- In the office it looks like a club hitting a ball in the photo in the office. – You commented you owed your hubby golf time.
Man that was tough. haha. really great work.
written on September 17th, 2009, at 12:48 pmI, too, think the secrets are the Sarah box in the attic and the picture of the club and ball. I didn’t comment at first because Skebba got it first thing. NOW I see the bit about commenting anyway. I hope I win! I love your taste in fabric and embroidery design and am really looking forward to your Etsy shop. Have FUN! That is really what it is all about in the end, don’t you think?
written on September 17th, 2009, at 1:23 pmSorry-I don’t know any of the hidden surprises, but I am entering as a random commenter. However, I can tell you that the dollhouse embroidery is FABULOUS!!! I am so jealous! I’m just getting back into embroidery, so you work is a real inspiration. Thanks for the chance to win.
written on September 18th, 2009, at 7:45 pmI just wanted to say that you have some GORGEOUS things! I found your blog via One Pretty Thing and I am enamoured already. I’m just learning to sew and will be back to visit you often. :-)
written on September 20th, 2009, at 2:50 pmI’ve just found your blog via ONE PRETTY THING, your giveaway is lovely, so well stitched! I’m probably late, but I thought I could write a comment anyway! Have a lovely week!
written on September 21st, 2009, at 8:48 am