neck cushions!

Oh glory you know how it goes – there’s urgent stuff that needs doing (like cleaning and packing up your house!) with a deadline built-in (gak vomit shudder) but you’re too excited by a new idea to focus on the horrible task – or is that just a euphemism for work avoidance? Well, when it comes to procrastination, I am a world expert.

This idea has been fermenting in the back of my mind for a while and, now that the approval days for the Christmas markets are imminent, I had to pull finger act fast.

The neck cushions have involved much experimenting re size, sewing, fabric, colour, design, filling, dried herbs, seeds, lavender, dried fynbos, barley, labels, velcro vs zips, etc., but I am delighted with the result. Megan, Anne’s daughter, managed to translate my terrible scribbles and rough layout into the beautiful leaf fabric and logo design, and it’s all been very exciting. Megan’s other work can be seen here.

So, I print the fabric for the cushion cover myself, and all sewing is done by moi as well. What makes my neck cushions different (and special) is the two separate inners – one with grains and herbs/flower extracts, and the other with unicurl filling. It makes the cushions really versatile and extra comfortable. Here’s my lovely screen and some fuchsia printed on dark cream,

and all the info on the back of the wrap-around label:

The cushions are on facebook (I’d love you to like my page!) and there’s a website under construction.

For Cape Town readers, I’ll be at the Kirstenbosch Craft Market on Sunday. Before I start selling the neck cushions, I’m going to give away three to nice people who will be asked to send me an honest review afterwards. One has already been booked by one of my lovely customers, Simone, so there are two up for grabs. Find me at the market and, if still available, you will get your pressie!

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and the owl cushion goes to…

There are a few more owls now, since last week. They are perched on the top of the couch.

I’ve started doing the eyes differently, which I think looks a whole lot better.  The first owl I did was the one on the right, with green eyes, but he ended up with too much of a horny look. (you know what I mean!)

The winner is welcome to choose whichever owl she wants, from the three that I think are good enough (pink eyes, greenyblue eyes, or grape-coloured).  And since the winner lives far away somewhere in America, I hope she will understand that surface mail is a more cost-efficient way to travel than airmail.   Takes slightly longer, but owls are in no hurry.

Thank you VERY MUCH to everyone who took part, especially those of you who reblogged my post, and those of you who have just met me and decided to become a follower.  This give-away and all the great comments it has generated has been a real boost.  It isn’t just a ploy to spread Nice Piece of Work, it’s how I speed up the process of making new friends and contacts. I wish I could send each of you an owl.

So, Pillows a la Mode, find an empty spot on your couch – you got a new “pillow” coming your way :-)  Please mail me with your address details, and your choice of owl, and I’ll parcel it up.

Owl be seeing ya…

 

 

 

 

 

Owl cushion give-away

Seems I took a slightly longer break from blogging than anticipated, but I’m happy to be back now.

And back with a GIVE-AWAY –  hoo ha! It seems that this humble blog has 195 followers, and our Jam Tarts facebook page has 165 – so my aim is to increase both to 200. You can help me do this, guys!  

I’ve had owls on the brain lately, and have been working on the idea of an owl cushion. Quite a big one, so it won’t get lost down the side of the couch. And quite a sophisticated bird, as opposed to a fluffy, downy sort of chick.

I’ve ended up with…

…Tallulah Tuckwing! She measures 43 by 30cm, has shweshwe wings, and a secret space behind the right one where she keeps a little heart tucked away.

So, if you’d like a chance to win her, please do one or all of the following:

1.  If you are already a follower of Nice Piece of Work, please add a comment on this post saying so.

2. If you are not yet a follower but become one, please add a comment on this post saying so.

3. Please consider sharing this post so that I can reach some entirely “fresh” people.  You don’t need to let me know if you do, I will get your name from the site stats.

4. If you have already Liked our Jam Tarts page, please comment on the page saying so (eg., “liked you long time!”)

5. If you are a new Like, add a comment on the page saying so (eg., “so excited to discover you!”) (heh)

Names will be drawn out of a hat on 13 March!