August 10, 2012

Happy Stitch: Tutorial and Giveaway!


Many of you embroiderers have probably already heard of Jodie Rackley's lovely new book: Happy Stitch: 30 Felt and Fabric Projects for Everyday. It's a gorgeous book and I was super happy when Jodie asked if we'd like to feature it with a giveaway AND a tutorial she put together just for Feeling Stitchy readers!

Without further ado, here's Jodie! Oh and psst! Be sure to read through to the bottom for the exciting giveaway part! :)


Endless Summer Headband DIY tutorial
Hi Feeling Stitchy Friends! I’m Jodie Rackley of Lova Revolutionary and the author of Happy Stitch! I’m going to share with you a simply stitchy tutorial for a Navajo-inspired Summer Headband! A super cute and perfect accessory for summer!
Tutorial by Jodie Rackley, author of Happy Stitch


Materials:

Several scraps of felt in a few different colors
Canvas fabric or a solid colored fabric
Several colors of embroidery floss
Scissors, pinking sheers
Embroidery needle


*** I used eco felt for all of my shapes in peacock, golden rod, fuschia, and orange and DMC floss in 947, 972, 3844, 718


1. Print and cut out your template shapes. Use the template shapes to cut 1 large diamond, 4 arrows in two different shades, and 2 small diamonds. Using the large headband shape cut one from canvas or another solid fabric and one from felt using pinking shears.


2. Starting with your large diamond shape, center it in the middle of you canvas fabric and use a star stitch to secure your diamond. Center your arrows about a ¼ inch away from your diamond and use a long backstitch to secure them. Use a modified star stitch to secure your small diamonds.



3. After all of your shapes are stitched on to your canvas/solid colored material, cut 12 long pieces of embroidery floss, 4 pieces each of 3 different colors that you are using. Separate them so you have 6 pieces of 3 colors. Tie a knot to hold all the threads together and loosely braid them together, repeat with your remaining threads to use for the other side of your headband, these will become the ribbons for the sides of the headband.

4. Now that you have your braided strands, center the end on the felt piece that you cut out and secure it with a few stitches, repeat on the other side.


5. Last, pin your canvas embellished piece on top of your felt and stitch a straight stitch all the way around the edge.



6. Wear your headband and look super cute and Navajo summery!


Thanks, Jodie, for your beautiful tutorial!

Giveaway Time!
And now, readers, for the exciting giveaway part! I got a sneak peek of this book, and it's so inspiring that I'm giving away 2 copies of Happy Stitch!

My personal favorite pattern is this bird design tote bag - but I'm also pretty charmed by her signature owl design and her cute felt rowhouses.

There are so many gorgeous, colorful projects in this 144 page book! I think you need it. :)

Jodie is also giving away 1 pattern of your choice from her store (I have my eye on that sweet fox) and 1 felt fox kit, also from her store.

So yes, that's 4 prizes - which means 4 chances to win, and in my book, that's pretty exciting indeed. :) Not that I have a book - well, I mean, I have this book - oh, you know what I mean! :)

To win, leave a comment and let's settle a crafty internet rivalry - fox vs. owl: who's cuter? Comments will be closed on Sunday night, August 12 at approximately 9 PM, US Central Time. Go!

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

175 comments:

  1. I think the sheer volume of them on craft sites has put me off owls so I've got to say "fox". Fingers crossed I get picked!

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  2. Owls always win. But dang if foxes are as cute as can be!

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  3. Foxes! Though owls are close behind.

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  4. I would prefer the owl anytime, but the fox is not too bad too. I would give it a chance too!

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  5. Definately Fox. Owls are all the rage right now and I have always been drawn to the underdog. (no pun intended.) I would LOVE to win! Why? I am in desperate need of inspiration and this book/ideas makes me smile.:) Aside from that I dont usually win contests so I would be delighted with a winning surprise! Pick me! Pick me! Lol. Too adorable.

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  6. It's quite a toss- up. But I would have to go with the fox. :)

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  7. What a lovely book! I'd love to win a copy. It's my birthday so I'm hoping its a lucky day for me :-)

    Both cute but think the fox has the edge...

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  8. Owl :)
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  9. Fox! He's the one that I want!
    (do-wop a dooby do)
    mrswaxler(at)yah0o(dot)c0m

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  10. That's a tough one! I'm going with owl :)

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  11. Foxes are wily, owls are wise, I think they are both whimsically wonderful. 

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  12. hard to choose but going for owl

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  13. Most definitely foxes!  Way more cuddly ;)

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  14. Oh, I've love a chance to win, these projects look fab! Please toss my name into the hat!

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  15. Love the owl. Thanks for the chance to win. Good luck all!

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  16. Owl, man!  I hope I win this giveaway!  :)

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  17. Hard to try ... but I'm for the fox !!!

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  18. I like owls. My mom collects them.

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  19. I just love owls (at least the felt ones, the real ones makes me fear :)) thanks for the great givaway.....

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  20. Hard to choose but the fox wins by a nose!!

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  21. fox has my vote.Thank-you for the give away chance. Becky
    derry04@yahoo.com

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  22. I am definately an owl girl/woman, I have always loved owls, old wise ones of the woods.

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  23. Oooo. Good question. I think the fox is the new owl. But I definitely like owls more.

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  24. owl is cuter, foxes are jerks in real life

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  25. Definitely fox! I'm Native American, from the fox clan, so the tribal fox would be perfect for me!

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  26. Owls are def cuter! Gotta love those big eyes...thanks for hosting a fun giveaway!

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  27. Fox...I think....or owl.  But I said fox first, so that settles it.

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  28. i think the fox is way foxier.  that's just my opininon.  i think it has something to do with the tail.

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  29. Owl...they are innocent and cute, besides wise!

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  30. Thanks for the chance to win and the heads up on the new book. I'm an owl lover! LOVE the row houses.

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  31. Hard to choose, but I give the fox a slight edge.  Thanks for this fun giveaway!

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  32. I have a granddaughter-in-law who would argue with me, but I think the fox is the cutest.

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  33. fox...for sure!

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  34. fox...for sure!

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  35. Love fox and owl - too tough to narrow it down to which is cuter!!! Love your head band; I know my daughter would want something similar!!! Thanks for sharing and having this amazing giveaway... I am crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes! hehehe

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  36. I'm in love with the fox!  sorry little owlie.  ;p

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  37. Foxes are cuter

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  38. Between a fox and an owl, I would definitely go with Team Fox only because I think it would be easier to cuddle with a fox than it would to cuddle with an owl. There's nothing like having a good ole' furry cuddle buddy. (Take it from me, I have 3 small dogs) 
    :)

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  39. It will always be owls. Forever. Me and my friend both have a MASSIVE obsession with owls, and have had for years, so that owl phone case has me cooing like a dove.
    alice.wilson.awesome@gmail.com

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  40. Gotta pick the owl!  Although.... choosing is kinda hard!  All offered are absolutely adorable.

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  41. I love that embroidered fox. But I also like the owl... hmmm Can't choose. 

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  42.  The owl is cuter! All your work is beautiful and cute :)

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  43. given that foxes are introduced here and we have native owls I have to go owls- and they are wise. But I guess foxes are crafty too :) - no I will stay with owls

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  44. Owl is a hoot but fox is cutest. Super book x

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  45. Owls are definitely cuter to me than foxes.

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  46. As adorable as the foxes are, I can never resist an owl! And the little felt houses are lovely- what a gorgeous book! 

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  47. I have always been an owl girl myself.  Thank you so much for the chance to win, HappyStitch has been on my wish list for a while.

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  48. I think owls are cuter because I love all birds. The book is wonderful!

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  49. Owl wins. Fox is a very close second though. Owl will always win with me. Owlways.

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  50. Tough call, but I'm going to go with the owl. Even if I don't win this book, I will get my hands on it somehow!

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  51. I love owls but I have to admit that fox is awfully darn cute!!!!

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  52. I like the owl better.

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  53. O'my...don't make me vote...love Foxie....but the Owl is so stinkin' cute....

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  54. The owl is much cuter.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  55. awww i would have to go for the owl as being cuter as they always make me think of my nan who loves owls! thanks you for such a lovely give away! Kirri Raper xxx

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  56. Foxy of course!  I would love to have this book (or the projects) to create with my granddaughter.

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  57. I think that owls are cuter than fox.

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  58. Both are definitely cute, but I always have to go "owl." I love the book!!

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  59. Owls are way cuter than foxes! Love the book!!!

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  60. Im just now getting into embroidery and am loving it. I have fond memories of sitting next to my grandma when I was little watching her embroider for the house. I still have the embroidery piece she made when I was born hanging above my nightstand! I've drawn a lot of inspiration from her and have been able to acquire all of her vintage embroidery items! So cool!
    I love owls. Im a collector of them and find something so adorable about them, but more recently Ive become obsessed with foxes. So even though Im an owl collector, Im definitely team fox right now. I kinda like the elegance they have about them. Theyre just so pretty! Plus, Fantastic Mr Fox was such a rad movie. What the cuss!?!?

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  61. I 'heart' felt and would love to win a prize!  Love the owl best but the fox is pretty cute too.

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  62. The fox is cuter. *Unless* the owl is wearing a hat. 

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  63. I was going to say owls....until I saw the embroidered fox pattern. I love it!

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  64. Tired of owls- gotta go with the fox

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  65. Foxers are cuters by far!  This book looks ah-mazing!!  

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  66. Fox for sure - if something's hot, you call it "foxy", not "owly". ;)

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  67. Great prizes! My 15 year old daughter loves to embroider~~~she would love 
    all of this! (fox!) Beth N. (stormybrew57@aol.com)

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  68. Being a night owl myself, it has to be owl. Gorgeous book, btw.

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  69. I have to go with owl.  The book sure looks great!

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  70. My sister in law and her girls LOVE owls, so they always catch my eye!  If I win, I promise to make them a cute owl to "pay it forward!"

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  71. The fox on the book cover is cuter

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  72. I am all over owls lately! So my vote is for them!

    Leah

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  73. This is a tough one but I think I have to go with owl as cuter. Thanks for offering the giveaway!

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  74. owls are cuter, just barely.

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  75. I think that for sewing purposes, foxes look cuter but not so pretty close up in real life

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  76. That is the toughest questions I have been faced with today but I would have to say owls [sorry foxes].

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  77. Owls! ...Unless it's the one from The Fourth Kind O.o

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  78. It's a close call, but I'm gonna say owls are cuter.

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  79. Owl! That's my husband's nickname for me :) we have lots of owl things in the house. I get a lot of them as gifts from people.

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  80. I love them both, but I have got a thing for owls.
    I would love to be able to sew may way through this entire book!

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  81. That bird tote is gorgeous. Fox or owl? I'll go with the owl this time. I love the pastel colors that were used on the owl in front of the row houses. Couldn't possibly be cuter.

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  82. Fox is cuter I think. For now. gorgeous book.

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  83. Gah, that's a tough one.  I think I have to go with fox.

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  84. owls all the way. they just have so much personality!

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  85. Fox fox fox fox fox.

    Yup. Fox. 

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  86. I have fallen in love with the Foxes! They are cute! 

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  87. Owls all the way!

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  88. The headband is very cute. Looks easy to make too.

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  89. Not a hard question for me at all, foxes! (I watched too many wildlife videos as a child with owls swooping in for the kills, none that I can recall with foxes, except for cartoons, so I just picture them as more cuddly!)

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  90. I personally prefer foxes, but my daughter is obsessed with owls. Such cute prizes!!

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  91. I would love to win that beautiful book. Then, I could look at the patterns again and again. I use to live in a row house.

    It's hard to choose. I'll pick the fox.

    I love the Navajo tutorial as well. I do love colorful felt and floss.

    1dozenstars.gmail.com

    Thank you for entering me.

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  92. oh foxes are definitely cuter.  no contest.  big pointy ears and bushy tail, adorable!

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  93. Owls are cuter I think, but I love a good fox! :D  Thanks for the giveaway Jodie! ♥
    sewjenaissance at gmail dot com

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  94. I'd normally choose owl, because I love them, but that fox takes the cake!  :)

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  95. I think I like the fox best - it's adorable! 

    (clumsy.chord(at)gmail.com)

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  96. Fox is cuter but my girls would probably say owls!

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  97. Oh goodness that is such a hard question! I think fox. Great prizes! Thanks so much for giving us the chance to win!

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  98. Totally the fox!  Thanks!

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  99. wonderful giveaway! I love both but lately have been leaning toward foxes

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  100. I can't choose. Both foxes and owls are incredibly cute, but can both be incredibly ferocious. I like those qualities.

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  101. owl!
    lguilboATgmailDOTcom

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  102. Fox is cuter. 
    Owls are creepier (it's the whole being abel to rotate their head so far around that makes them creepy)

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  103. I think foxes and owls are cute, but I like owls better. :) I've always had a thing for owls- they're so beautiful in real life and so cute in craft form!

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  104. Both are very cute but I have to say I prefer owls!

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  105. Owls, with their huge eyes, are definitely cuter!

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  106. Lol foxes and owls are both awesome. I like those puffy fuzzy looking owls.

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  107. The Fox is cute. I would love to win:-)

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  108. Oh, I'd love a copy of the book, it looks wonderful!

    Owl or fox, owl or fox...  They're both pretty adorable, but I have to say that the fox has a bit of an edge on the cute factor.  Fox it is!
     

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  109. Vanessa Vichit-VadakanAugust 12, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Go, Team Fox!

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  110. Owls are over-done now. Loving the fox!!

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  111. has to be OWL for me (-:

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  112. It's got to be owl and I am wise to have said so.....

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  113. That owl adorable.  ♥  Raccoons are also super cute...wonder if we can stitch one up? 

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  114. The owl wins! But not in reality, there I think the fox is cuter. Would love to win.
    Steph

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  115. while i love both, it has to be the wisdom of the owl!

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  116. I don't know! I love both. But I might like Foxes a tiny little bit more. Because they come in red. But Owls have cuter eyes.
    Clearly I am no help what so ever...

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  117. Me encanta tu trabajo y me gustaria poder participar en el sorteo del libro,
    aunque tendrias que mandarmelo a España.
    saludos de mary.

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  118. What a lovely giveaway. The book looks really sweet. Owl vs fox.. ooh I don't know.

    Ummmm fox.

    Alix 
    bluealixnorthend@yahoo.co.uk

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  119. What a wonderful giveaway!!!  I think the fox is cuter!
    Blessings,
    Diane

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  120. Fox for sure (I'm partial because my sons' last name is Fox)

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  121. Foxes are by far the cutest! 

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  122. I totally think owls are much cuter. But then, I'm partial to birds in general. I'd love to win any of those prizes :)

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  123. I vote for the fox, I'm kind over owls.  Thank you for the chance to win.

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  124. I would LOVE to win this book because it looks like to many cute felt projects!!!!  That fox kit is just darling (foxies are sooo cute), but I am an OWL collector!  So would love the owl felt softie PDF..(My son's name is Jodie and it's funny, but Fredericksburg, VA is where my husband proposed to me waaay back in '68).  Love your things, Jodie!!!!

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  125. I like both the fox and the owl but if I had to settle on one it would be the owl...

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  126. I'm going to start this out with foxes: I live on the Fox River, which is decorated with copper foxes. It's awesome, and they're cute. The end. :D

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  127. awesome giveaway! i would say that cute better defines a fox, and beautiful better defines an owl.

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  128. I'm an owl person - love the owls!!

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  129. Owls of course! They're all the rage, cute and cuddly, it's no wonder owls are used for SO many fashion accessories and bags! I'd love to have this book to create things with my friends (who are by the way just as crazy as me about sewing and embroidery!) 

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  130. Owls of course! They're all the rage, cute and cuddly, no wonder they're on SO many fashion accessories and handbags! I'd love to get this book to make so many gorgeous projects with my friends ( who are just as crazy about sewing as I am)! Thanks for the give away :)

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  131. I like the fox best--foxes run through our yard and we love watching them.

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  132. That's a foxy question!  Hooo knows the answer?  Owls for sure!

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  133. I think that foxes are much cuter than owls! They just are so adorable! :) Thanks for the giveaway though!

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  134. Fox, mostly because there are so many owls and I'd like to see more foxes.

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  135. I vote for the owl!

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  136. The  owl is definitely CUTER than the fox. He is wiser, too.

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  137. Owls fair in the fight between owls and foxes.  Owls definately.  You can customize them very easily.

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  138. Such a great giveaway!  Thanks for the chance to win!  I am a fox girl!  While owls are cute and adorable, foxes are fierce!  haha 

    prajaline(at)gmail(dot)com  :)

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  139. Fox, definitely fox. But that may have come from reading a book about some very sinister owls in my youth.

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  140. I think the fox is cuter!

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  141. Fox! Vixen's especially :)  Book looks awesome, adding it to my amazon wishes right now...

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  142. I think the owl is cuter

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  143. LOVE that owl tote! How exciting! Thank you for hosting this super fun giveaway!

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  144.  Fox, no..owl...no, fox...or maybe the owl...or the fox is swinging it again.
    This is tough.

    Stylised foxes are cuter than real foxes (which are beautiful, but not perhaps cute, as such). Owls are amazing creatures, some cuter than others.

    I'm going to go with what is likely to be the underdog.

    Fox.

    Looks like a gorgeous book - I'd love to own it. xx

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  145. Foxes for me, owls for my mom :)

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  146. Fox or owl? It's a toss up, but I think the owls have it!

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  147. Wow.  What a dilemma - I'll vote for fox.  The title and pictures you have shown are enough to make me want this book - seriously, I could dive right in!  Happy Stitching, indeed!  

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  148. Fox versus owls, that's just cruel to make us decide.  I'm going to have to say owl.

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  149. I love owls, but I am smitten by the fox!  Beautiful book and I like the headband too.

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  150. whoooooo wouldn't pick the owl, by far the cutest.

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  151. Fox fox fox fox fox. And maybe owl a little bit.

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  152. FOX! hehehe...though i appreciate a good, adorable owl... :)

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  153. Fox is the winner in my book.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  154. I want this! Give me, give me, give me! Oh, owl's are cuter!

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  155. I think I'd have to say owls

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  156.  The Fox is cuter.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  157. I have several barn owls on my property so I am sticking with them

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