Monday 27 June 2011

Midsummer giveaway

Well, I know it is just after midsummer, but I am running a little behind myself at the moment. Actually, I am most often running a little behind myself, but today I have caught up, and I have six lovely presents to give away, courtesy of the kind people at Search Press, and bunting is the theme.


Now, some of my most loyal, longstanding readers (do I have any, I wonder?) may remember that I have a penchant for jolly bunting about the place, but the thrifty bunting that I made here is now looking a little tired, as you can see.

Tired bunting


So Kate Haxell's book Twenty to Make: Bunting and Pennants is just the book I needed to help me along my way. At a very reasonable price, this little book packs in a lot of ideas for bunting of all shapes and sizes, and for different situations.

Before I was so miserably parted from my dear Rose, I had time to rustle up some felt bunting to jolly up my kitchen window. The pattern in the book was for mini bunting suitable for a child's room, for example, but I sized it up as I am on the verge of my second childhood, I think.  The felt came from Paper and String, where Sarah does a huge range of colours, and even with making large flags, each one could be cut from a 4in/10cm square, which Sarah sells nice little multicoloured stacks of (preposition at the end of a sentence, whatever next?)

Happy kitchen window

The motivational prints were made to order from Pie Foundry. The left hand one is for the Head Chef (Don't do it tomorrow, do it today) and the right hand one for me (Be the change you want to see) - which tells you much about us; exactly what, I will leave you to puzzle out.

But back to the bunting. Princess Bunchy, as is her wont, has put in an order for some Flower Power Bunting and chosen a selection of fabrics.

Nice and easy instructions
I have found lots of ideas in the book for bunting to enhance our luxury shed, and generally to prettify my life (nearly a split infinitive, but not quite, I held back). And yes, this is a wonderful way to use up those orts and scraps of fabric in your stash, making it a Very Thrifty purchase. So all in all, a jolly nice little book, full of jolly nice bunting.

Stashbusting

And six of you can have a bunting book of your very own, thanks to those nice people at Search Press. 'How may I get my mitts on one?' I hear you saying, 'She witters on and takes an age to get to the nitty gritty ...'.

So here it is - three simple steps to enter the giveaway: please read the rubric carefully, and remember to turn over the page. 

1. You need to be a Follower of my blog - so run along and sign up if you aren't one already.

2. Visit the Search Press website which is packed full of enticing crafty books (and free patterns, too), and find a book which you think is the bees' knees (metaphorically speaking, of course) and should be on everyone's wishlist.

3. Come back and tell me about it via the Comments box.

Please, please ensure that you are contactable via your comment - if you don't have your email in your profile, put it in your comment, otherwise you cannot win. If you never win giveaways and no one ever responds to your comments, chances are you are a 'no-reply blogger' - read this post by Victoria to remedy it, or click on the No Reply button in my sidebar to find out more.

I will leave this giveaway open for about a week, and so will be looking for a pleasant dog or a passing stranger next Monday or Tuesday to help me with the draw. There will be six winners of the bunting and pennants book to be announced, so the odds must be pretty good. Bonne chance!








76 comments:

Noelle the dreamer said...

Hard to choose a title, a very interesting site! 'Knitted Flowers'
by Susie Johns would be a first for me - love to knit - (and since today I might just hear of this little baby girl being born...perfect to decorate a whole wardrobe/accesories for this little Princess!)
Thanks for the opportunity!

Madison said...

What a lovely giveaway. I'm already a follower of your lovely blog. Had a long look at all the books and it's difficult to make a decision to be honest. There's loads on there I'd love to have. But if I had to I would probably choose "Compendium of Sewing Techniques" because I am probably still called a novice sewer so would need all the help I can get.

Madison xxx

Rosa-Munda said...

'Home Made Gifts with Love' looks pretty neat but I also thought the book on knitted vegetables looked awesome too!
What a great giveaway - I'd love to make some bunting for our little summerhouse.

Lola Nova said...

Another great giveaway! Which reminds me, I need to make up some bunting to liven up the place. Your post also makes me wonder, how many people must cringe at my grammar on my blog! Ah well.

I have posted about my prize today and linked to this give away as well!

Thank you again Pomona, you are the bees knees!

Shell said...

There are loads of great craft books around but I think I'd choose '100 Knitted Flowers To Knit And Crochet' by Lesley Stanfield. Its a good book to pick up at night and make something small while watching TV.

carrad said...

The "Inchies" book looks very unusual, and I love the idea of being able to use teeny-tiny leftovers and embellishments as I hate throwing things out! xxx

Daisie said...

ooooh, haven't visited searchpress before *slaps wrist* wow!! Had a good nosey at the quilling books as it's something I used to do when I was a kid and always think it's something I should start doing again. I am already a follower :) and I lurve bunting xxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I love bunting too and that looks like a great book!
I'm a follower and I've had a look at Search Press and I love the Knitted Fruit and Knitted Vegetable books, they look like fun. :)
Thanks for the lovely giveaway,
Vivienne x

salty pebble said...

ive just found your blog- its so lovely! ;0)

memmens said...

Wow what a great giveaway, I love crafty books even if just to sit and look at for hours when I should be doing something! Thanks for the introduction to Search press - I was there a while! How to choose? I really like the look of 5-10-15+ Fat Quarters by Jeanne Stauffer & Elisa Albury. A great starting point I would guess for someone knew to quilting. Thanks for the chance to win.

memmens said...

oh and I have a giveaway up on my blog too - open until 3rd July - come and have a look.
http://mary.emmens.co.uk

Tina said...

What an amazing give away!
Well, there are great title at Search Press, but if anyone that loves making pretty sewing gifts, Fast Fabric Gifts is a must have. :)
xxx

Nancy said...

I am such a craft book collector that I already had many of them! I did see The Perfect Handmade Bag book which I purchased as a gift for a friend and never bought myself a copy, so I guess that would be on my wish list. I am enjoying your blog, especially the tutorial on basket liners.

Little Blue Mouse said...

I was almost afraid to reply in case you were marking grammar!

I'm sure I'd find loads to make in 'Toys to sew' by Claire Garland.

Indigo Blue said...

I love the 20 makes series and I have bought several for school. The knitted flowers (Susie Johns) one is good for quick makes with small amounts of wool and my little knitting group are will be working on these next.

Also in the series is a knitted aliens and knitting with plastic bags as well.
x

Gill said...

Difficult to choose - I like the look of Art Cloth or possibly Laura Howard's new book Super-Cute felt as I like her blog!
I'm already a follower
Thanks!

andrea creates said...

i follow :)
i really like the book on bunting and pennants-and some of the knit flower books would really keep me busy!

Beth said...

I thought the Wild and Wonderful fleece animals looked fun . . .
I am already a follower of your blog!
yobethie(at)hotmail(dot)com

faith76 said...

Well I think 75 Birds,Butterflies & Beautiful Beasties to knit and crochet by Lesley Stanfield is the Bee's Knees.

I saw this in a copy of Let's Knit Magazine several months ago and has been on my wish list ever since.

Leah x

Amy Friend said...

It shouldn't shock you that I think that: Print!
25 original projects using hand-printing techniques on fabric and paper
by Joy Jolliffe
looks pretty good!
I love that bunting design in the last photo...gotta try that...

Chiska said...

Quilting and Patchwork Stitches looks to be my top choice at the moment as I'm learning. I LOVE your pink rose fabric in the last picture.

Angela said...

Get The Most From Your Clothes by Marion Elliot REALLY appeals. In this,my Very Thrifty Summer, I need some inspiration as to how to revamp at minimal cost!

I adore bunting - it is so cheerful and I love when it flaps in the breeze round the School Fete or the Village Fun Day

have a lovely summer day - blessings x

ps I love that your daughter complained about her illiterate teachers too - mine was/is just the same!

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

What a delicious giveaway, you can never have too much bunting can you? After much perusal the decision has been made, the verdict? 'Sewing Machine Accessory Bible'. Being a practical gal I always think you can make things work harder for you and I'd like to make the most of my dear old machine.

millefeuilles said...

I am looking (lovingly) at my groaning bookshelves which house my collection of craft books. Fortunately I can see a small space between my knitting books and embroidery books.... Let me see... ooh, yes, Lesley Stanfield's book on knitted flowers would do very nicely for such a garden enthusiast and knitter as myself.

Thank you Pomona for such a lovely giveaway.

Peeriemoot said...

I hadn't realised how many books I already have are from Search Press! My current favourite is Wild Colour by Jenny Dean, and one I was tempted to buy recently was the knitted and crocheted Birds, Butterflies and Beasties one. Looking through the site there are so many crafts I've never even thought of..

Greedy Nan said...

Presently sitting on the current Search Press catalogue so think that's a good omen for me to win the prize! Am, I think, also already following you but in any case, am having trouble in finding the button. And if I'm not, why ever not?
Wishiest book [at time of writing you understand - it could well change] is Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching by Charlotte Liddle. She's got a very easy style [which suits me very well].
Here's hoping ...

Unknown said...

Hi, Thanks for commenting on my blog! This is a great giveaway! I'm a follower of your blog and love the look of 'Colours from Nature' by Jenny Dean. I think dyeing using natural substances would be great fun with some interesting results (pus it's thrifty!). Have a great week! :) x

Nicky said...

I already follow, Pomona, with great interest. I like 'Made in France' little stitcheries in cross stitch which would be nice as a block for a quilt I thought or embellishment to a crazy quilt or to bunting for that matter - I too am a bunting berserker!

Nicky said...

I already follow, Pomona, with great interest. I like 'Made in France' little stitcheries in cross stitch which would be nice as a block for a quilt I thought or embellishment to a crazy quilt or to bunting for that matter - I too am a bunting berserker!

dragonfly said...

Thoroughly spoilt for choice over there! I'd rather like the Watercolour Flowers book as I'm hoping to start a painting course in September. I'd love to be able to recreate my flower photos with a brush.

I've also just sorted out a pile of scraps to make some bunting for the garden!

Sasha said...

I am a follower.

As for books, it's a very easy decision -
Made in France: Sweet Treats in Cross Stitch

Everybody needs to buy this book, if you can sew your own things, this is the perfect way to embellish them and make them your own. Also even if you don't it's a beautiful book of pretty niceness!

nimble fingers and steady eyebrows said...

Oh, do you know, the bunting book would be my first choice anyway! Second would be 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet- I've been eyeing that on amazon for a wee while. But really, the bunting has it. I'm a buntingaholic, really. Crossing my fingers...Laura x

Serenata said...

Yeah, managed to get through to leave a comment ;-) I would love to be in your giveaway. Of course I am a follower of your blog :-) You are on my side bar of bloggers I've met! Now I did see a couple of books...I know you only said one, but I am hopeless at choosing, one was crocheting teddy bears and the other was sewing clothes for dolls, but I've forgotten the titles!

Have a wonderful week.

ted and bunny said...

seeing as I'm now a fully cast-on member of the knitters club, I think Knitted Flowers would be a good book for me
xx

Irina said...

Wow! there are so many! I think the Scandinavian designs in red and white looks interesting, but I also saw the "making the perfect handbags" one... and the Misfits, about little soft toys... there should be a book on every type of craft in everybody's library!
The book your reviewing looks lovely, and so do your buntings, it would be great to have a copy.
I follow your lovely blog, thanks for the chance!

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower! :o)

So many books to choose from! I think my favourite is probably Inchies. I always have scraps of fabric and never know what to do with them apart from sew altogether.

Great giveaway!

C x

p.s. thanks for your comment on my blog! :o)

Frances said...

Thank you for the introduction to Search Books. I already have that 100 Flowers book by Lesley Stanfield, and would definitely recommend it for inspiration.

As I clicked through various categories, I also was intrigued by Kate Sinton's Stumpwork, as well as many other books, wondering when I would ever find time to add more crafts to my life!

Best wishes on creating all sorts of festive bunting. xo

menopausalmusing said...

"Redoute's Finest Flowers In Embroidery" would certainly be on my list! Have just had a lovely time giving a quick trawl on the site and am going back later ......

Eight by Six said...

so many to choose from but as I've always wanted to knit a pair of socks I'd probably go for 'easy knitted socks'! I'm already a follower and love bunting too :) Amanda

Lindy in Brisbane said...

Hello there. My name is Lindy and I do feel a bit cheeky entering this giveaway, because this is in fact the very first time I have ever visited your blog. I followed a link from Lola Nova. God knows how I've never found you before, because I spend plenty of time surfing pretty, crafty blogs. So I am now happily following, and have spent quite some time browsing Search Press. I think I would choose 'Sew a metre', which is the metric version of 'One yard wonders'. Lots of great books to choose from. I seem to have a few of them already....

Unknown said...

Let's see.. How's about 75 birds butterflies and beastly things. What a fun giveaway. I just finished mine. This will be fun. Off to have a look around and see what I've been missing

Anonymous said...

AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!! Thank you and also to Search Press!5-10-15+ Fat Quarters by Jeanne Stauffer & Elisa Albury is #1 on my list and tank you for adding #2, this Bunting and pennants book! I have one saved on my favorites page to make but I'm not in love with it! Thank you! Fingers Crossed. KERIHAG at YAHOO dot COM

Junk Loving Girl said...

I would have to pick the Martha Stewart's encyclopedia of sewing. I also follow with GFC.

thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com

Paula said...

I love your blog! So colorful and inviting!

Re: the giveaway - I was very interested in the book "Bunting and Pennants" by Katie Haxell. I am beginning to make paper buntings - so much fun!

Come by and visit me at Home in Douglas!

Deborah said...

Found your sweet blog today and wanted to say hi! I am now a follower, I'd love to be included in your giveaway please and after looking I think Fast Fabric Gifts is great :)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

lemonade kitty said...

Hi, please enter me in your fabby giveaway, I'm already a follower and after much browsing the book I'd like if you please is "gentle art of knitting" by Jane brockett, thank you very much for entering me, Lucey x

Simply H said...

Ohh fab giveaway Pomona! I had a lovely hunt through the Search Press website and my favourite book was the Bag Making Bible x
Ps thanks so much for your comment on my blog xx

SewHappyGeek said...

I'm a follower!

SewHappyGeek said...

I get their catalog - they've got some great sewing and quilting books out right now that I'd like to have. And the catalog always makes me steam with envy that I haven't written my own craft book yet! Ah, the future, the future! :)

VintageVicki said...

Hello - I meant to sign up for this the other day but I got lost on that site - so many books to choose from!

If I was lucky I think I'd like the bunting book in the photos -

Bunting and Pennants
by Kate Haxell

Please & thank you

Vicki xx

DM said...

I am now a follower of your great blog ! And ... difficult to choose ... So many interesting things , so I think if it has to be EVERYONe wish list , " Threadwork" by Effie Mitrofanis seems to me the one ...Well As I had to choose one ...

LisaT said...

I am a brand new follower, thanks!

LisaT said...

I used to want to learn how to knit but Im not coordinated enough with my left-handedness. I did teach myself to croquet by watching my mom and then reversing the technique. I did OK but didnt do it right so I'm sticking with quilting. I had to migrate to those books and I found 2 William Morris and 1 Folk Quilt applique and books that peeked my insterest. Thanks!

DearHelenHartman said...

Your blog is lovely - happy to have visited today.

Canadian Abroad said...

I'm following you now. More because you make me laugh out loud than for the prize after reading about ten posts. It was a pleasure.

Canadian Abroad said...

Off to explore Search Press and see things that need to be on my 'must have' list.

Canadian Abroad said...

Okay, I'm back. Lots of good books in that site. I would put James & Preserves in the cook book section on my list of wants and for quilting - 5 - 10 - 15 Fat Quarters.

Anonymous said...

Hi there,thankyou for finding me over at my blog. I would love to be entered into the giveaway and the book I have been wanting for quite a while is the 100 flowers to knit & crochet.I ve had my name down for ages at my local libraryand am about 5th on the list now! a very popular book!You can contact me at jbasiletti1967@hotmail.com many thanks,juliex

Cheryl said...

Nice giveaway. Had a look on the site and took a while to whittle it down, but I'd opt for the Complete guide to Natural Dyeing, because apart from being fun, I'd love to make interesting coloured wool r fabric. Plus any book that has the first word as "Complete" has got to be worth a look!

Janee Lookerse said...

Hi there! I'm a new follower (via Lola Nova). And I just got back from Search Press's site - wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!

janee.lookerse at gmail.com

xoxo
Janee
yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com

Sandi said...

Thank you for the invite to join in on this great give away, my choice is 'Everything you need to know about Crochet and weren't afraid to ask' I am still learning to crochet really and I have no one to ask so I think this book would be brilliant for me.
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog.
Take Care xx Sandi

Ruth said...

What a lovely giveaway! I love the book '100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet', i will have to get this so I can brighten up some of my tired hats, bags and cardigans... :)

Anonymous said...

What a fab site - beats Amazon hands down for character!
I've been wanting Wee Wonderfuls for ages, and they stock it.... There's a great selection of Amigumi books too and I have been meaning to start knitting or crochet! :-)

magic and drudgery said...

Hi. Well as I've just patchworked for the first time in the last couple of days and now seem to have an addiction, I should really get The Quilters Bible - The indispensable guide to patchwork, quilting and appliqué by Linda Clements. Finger's crossed I really do have a winning streak!! Thanks

Anonymous said...

Already a follower and I love bunting too! Before I started sewing, I used to make it from paper and string... Now I'm starting to do it "properly". Your bunting looks lovely (even the faded one) and the giveaway is very kind of you and Search Press. I'd never heard of them and I've enjoyed browsing their site. Hard to choose. I am torn between a practical sewing guide, like "Patterns: 200 questions answered" and something fun such as "Fast fabric gifts".

Sally said...

So many books to choose from, so I went straight to the crochet ones and choose "200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments & Trims."

love your blog, totally identify with you being the grand daughter and daughter ($ sister) of farmers. My 11 year old's quite keen on following in the family tradition too!

Peet said...

How can I choose from so many wonderful books? If I had an embroidery machine I would choose "Machine Embroidered Woodlands". Looks amazing.
But I don't have such a machine (maybe some day??) so I'll go for "A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers".
This is a lovely giveaway and it would be great if it would come all the way to Holland :-)

Sue said...

We are spoilt for choice, and it's hard to narrow down to just one but I think it would have to be Angie Hughes, 'Stitch, Cloth, Paper and Paint', encompasses all the things I enjoy and having met Angie I know she is very good at making techniques accessible.

hueisei said...

hmm.. I loves 'Book of Bags"-
30 stylish projects for beautiful sewn bags by Cheryl Owen and also
"Bag Making Bible" - The complete creative guide to sewing your own bags by Lisa Lam & Amy Butler ..

Thnaks for the chance.!!!

hueisei said...

And.. I am following your lovely blog...^^v

Anonymous said...

Hi, your blog is so lovely.
What book would I choose?
At the moment it would be 100 flowers to knit and crochet, I am supporting a rather stylish plaster cast on my ankle at the moment so unable to get into my beautiful garden to do any work.
My idea would be to sit and hand craft the flowers and leave the gardening to my adorable family.

Amanda

Luthaisea said...

Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon Embroidery by Jan Messent - my Gran owns it and I covet it! It's a lovely book and every time I read it I long to pick up needle, thread and fabric and start stiching straightaway!

Thank you for the chance to enter! :)

Head Pin said...

Hi,
I'm already a follower :-)
Ooo so many books! I like the look of sew a metre. I've not read it but I love the idea of just needing a small amount of fabric.
byrney3 (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk

twannywun said...

Small Ecological Garden (Re-issue) looks so good. I am trying to make my garden really wildlife friendly
:)
karen s
twannywun at hotmail dot com

Jewel said...

Hi, I have just started following your fantastic blog! What a great looking book! I love bunting and would love to make some for my wedding. I've made two strings so far for gifts, but they were a bit hapdash so I'd love some real guidance.

As for the website - there are sooo many fantastic books but my fav would have to be the beginners guide to crochet! I have been looking for a beginners guide to crochet for ages (my libraries' ones have all been stolen) and I'm itching to learn as I have never done it before. So I think it has to go on my wishlist!

Jewel x

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Pomona, thank you for telling me and don't think my comment took the first time. I'm a serious book person so any craft book is great with me. I do a lot of crafts but none of them very well but with great enthusiasm! I also follow.

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