"Sew Cute To Cuddle" Blog Hop

If you're here from the Stitch Craft Create blog and it's your first time to Ordinary Lovely, Welcome!  Thanks for joining me to check out the fun I had with Mariska's new book, and I invite you to stick around and poke through some (or all!) of the other things I blog about here. 

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I was so happily surprised to be invited to participate in a blog hop to promote the new book by crafter Mariska Vos-Bolman, Sew Cute to Cuddle: 12 Easy Soft Toys and Stuffed Animal Sewing Patterns.

I felt like a v.i.p. getting to use an advanced digital copy of the book!  What a treat it was to find so many sweet critters to sew in one place.  It was tough to choose a project. They range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, so there is definitely something for everyone in this collection - from a cute koala, to a hefty hippo, to a fluffy monster, to a not-so-fierce dragon!

I chose Wooksy the Owl, which initially surprised me, because I tend to shy away from the everything-owl craze that has practically taken over the crafting and sewing world in the past couple years.  But something about this little guy won me over and I ended up making two :)   I had a little creative energy left in me and made Brody the Dog as well before the weekend was out.

The patterns were easy to use (note: seam allowances are not included and are left to the crafter to add when transferring to your fabric) and the instructions were clear.  These cute guys kept me company in my sewing room for a few days, but they've moved on, some to new homes, even.   I'm looking forward to trying my hand at a few more of Mariska's designs!

To order your own copy directly from Stitch Craft Create, use this link here.  Or, you can even choose their e-book option!  

I had hoped to find a perch for them outside for photographs, but it was rainy :(

This project was so perfectly timed for a birthday party we had been invited to.  This little owlet is already packaged and ready to get settled into her new home :)

I'm so happy to have been introduced to Mariska's book and I'm excited about creating some of the other delightful projects therein!    A special thanks to Rosie from F&W Media International for inviting me to participate!