teddy bear

St Patrick’s Day Free Giveaway

by Helen on March 16, 2013

Last year I hosted my first St Patrick’s Day giveaway, and enjoyed it so much that this year I’ve decided to do it all over again!  I myself am not Irish, but my grandmother (my mum’s mother) was an Irish McDowell whose family came to England in the early 20th century.  She was a brilliant needlewoman and seamstress, training as a “lady tailoress” in the 1920′s, and her skills were much in demand in the “Make Do and Mend” years of the second world war.  My mum has many memories of ladies and girls trooping in and out of the house and up the stairs to her sewing room where their worn out or outgrown garments would be transformed into wonderful stylish new creations.

So, once again in honour of my grandmother, from whom I am sure I inherit my love of stitching, I have a giveaway for you.  You may have spotted in a recent post, when I mentioned the bears softie pattern for the April issue of my magazine, that one of the little bears was a beautiful soft shade of green – and this little bear is the prize for my St Patrick’s Day giveaway…..

St Patricks Bear

 All you need to do to be in with a chance to win this adorable little fellow is to leave a comment below telling me what his name should be.  You have until midnight GMT on Monday 18 March to leave your comment and the winner will be chosen by random selection.  I will post worldwide.

And don’t forget to download your free St Patrick’s Day bunting from Flapdoodle if you’re marking the day…. 

St Patricks Giveaway

Just click on the link above to join Jacqui’s newsletter list and receive your free St Patrick’s Day gifts.  Meanwhile, don’t forget to leave your comment below – and I’ll be back next week with the results.  Good luck everyone!

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If you go down to the woods today ….

by Helen on March 12, 2013

You might meet a little black baby bear!!  At least that’s what everyone has been calling that naughty Miss Daisy.  Ben is feeling much better now, and the simple expedient of removing his collar has stopped her pulling and twisting his neck.  I don’t think he’s very likely to run away while we’re out, and if we did become separated (1) everybody round here knows who he is and where he lives; and (2) he is micro-chipped.  

Meanwhile, as well as black baby bears, here at Coombe Leigh we have other colours too ….. 

Teddy Bear Softie Pattern

 A new pattern for the April Bustle & Sew Magazine.  I’ve never created a bear softie before as there are so many wonderful bear-makers and designs out there – but these little creatures are, I think, some of the easiest to make you’ll find.  Once I’d worked out the pattern pieces and sewn the trial version, each bear took me about 2 1/2 hours – and they’d be wonderful little gifts for special people.  They’re not jointed so their limbs don’t move, but for me simplicity was everything – as well as cute appeal of course!  There’s a bit of a bear theme developing for the April issue … I’ve also finished a new and very simple stitchery also featuring bears ….

Follow your Dreams

 This little couple have launched their sky lantern (balloon) for a lifetime’s luck and hope that their happiness will last forever.  This is a really simple design and would be great for a beginner – or just a couple of hours stitching for the more experienced.  I do hope you like them both.  

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