Sunday, February 28, 2010

Giveaway: Cushion heaven

 
I have been thinking for some time to give this handmade cushion away. I got it at a house sale, and it's as new.

Some lady probobly spent hours and hours on the edge of the couch to stitch this oh so fine embroidery. There is not one single fault.

 

It's called Hardanger embroidery, a traditional Norwegian pattern for the advanced stitchers, and a technique known from the 1600th Century.


 

It's beautiful and cool. It'll rock your sofa, or anywhere really. Except for in the immediate presence of children with jam.

Just leave a comment below, and I'll announce the random winner on Saturday the 6th.

Spread the word if you like.

I'll send it wherever you are in the world. I'm so excited to see where it'll end up!

58 comments:

Nancy said...

The cushion is stunning!

I tried Hardanger several years ago, but I didn't finish the piece. I had so many difficulties keep an exact count (which is essential) that I renamed the craft - Hardamner!

I really doubt that whoever made the cushion cursed as much as I did. ;oD

The List Writer said...

I love that cushion - what a generous giveaway! I particularly love the way those little squares have their stitches all going first one way, then the other.

Carol said...

I own one piece of hardanger made by a friend of my mom's and gifted to her. It is all neutral colors and so pretty. I love all kinds and types of handwork and this pillow would be a wonderful addition to my needlework treasures.

Siena said...

I have always admired the patience of those who make hardangersøm - and don`t think I will ever dare to try it myself...

Aussie Maria said...

What a beautiful cushion!!!! I don't know how you could bear to give it away. I certainly have a home for something so lovely and so much work has gone into

Allison said...

oh, i hope this cushion ends up in kentucky, right on my couch! it's beautiful and i'd love to learn more about hardanger embroidery. thanks for the giveaway!

Rosa-Munda said...

That is such a beautiful piece of embroidery! So much love has been woven into every stitch. I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Ros

camille creates said...

My grandfather is from Oslo and I remember my greatgrandmother having a pillow like this.
Your friend, Camille

Teena said...

So Pretty! Would give this a great home!

Vicky said...

Maybe the cushion would like a new home in Australia, I promise the keep the dogs off it LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh! What a beautiful pillow! Many lifetimes ago, I did a small, simple Hardanger piece. I then turned to cross stitch. I would give the pillow a special home because I really do appreciate all the hard work that went into making it!

Kristi said...

Gorgeous! My Mom still has some of her hardanger work she did when we were little ones.

Tara said...

It's incredible! I don't have that kind of patience! Thanks for the chance to win!

TwinMint said...

Beautiful! What a nice giveaway! It would be great if you were sent pictures of it in its new home, too.

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Absolutely stunning. What workmanship!

Lisa

~ Cee ~ said...

Oh my goodness. I don't think I've seen such a gorgeous pillow in my life. Thank you so much for this giveaway!
ceevegnashville [at] gmail [dot] com

Holly Days Closet said...

OMG That is beautiful. I love any kind of embroidery wish I could do it myself.
Holly

Nicola said...

oh my goodness, it is beautiful. (and it would look perfect on my couch!)
i would love to be as skilled....
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Favourite Vintage Finds said...

Wow! I would love to win this gorgeous cushion! Thank you for such a fabulous and unique giveaway! Best wishes, C :)

Unknown said...

Oh! What a fantastic pillow! I really adore these fine hardanger embroideries and must learn to do these stitches myself, one day...

Frk Myssen

Unknown said...

the cushion needs a head and my head needs a cushion

Margaret said...

So beautiful -- what a find! I don't think my eyes could take doing that kind of work but so gorgeous.

Kristy said...

Oh that is lovely and so is the idea of a giveaway. Thank you!

bloomingheather said...

What a lovely pillow and an amazing giveaway! So generous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pillow!

shannon said...

such a beautiful pillow!

*fingers crossed*

thanks for doing the giveaway!
shannon

Campbell or @FELTit or Designs by Anna said...

What exquisite work! Count me in on the giveaway please!

Anna
www.annasplaceofholding.blogspot.com
anna.pamprdchef@gmail.com

Garden Girl said...

How beautiful-it must have taken some highly skilled person HOURS to create!
I love the colours, very summery.

Kimbles said...

Aaaah what a lovely cushion - how can you bear to part with it? **Kim**x

Theresa said...

Beautiful! If you send it here it will have a very different home from where it came from!

Valarie said...

This is beautiful hardanger. What a really beautiful piece to giveaway. Sure to become a treasured heirloom. Thanks so much.

Cara said...

Such lovely handwork! It is beautiful and reminds me of the north. A generous giveaway to be treasured always!

Lynn said...

It is a beautiful pillow and i would love to win it. I did a few small Hardanger pieces quite a few years ago so know how much work went into this pillow.

liza said...

I'm in! It's beautiful! And... wow... what a lot of comments!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Arctic Mum
I love what you write and the photos too. Thank you for sharing.
I learn quite some things from you.
And I wish you a wonderful spring and summer.
Greetings!

http://wachsenlassen.blogspot.com/ said...

Dear Arctic Mum
Thank you for the thougts and pictures you share on your blog. It gives new perspectives to life, which I appreciate.
I hope you can enjoy a wonderful spring and summer.
Greetings!

the stitching witch said...

Fantastic cushion, must have taken weeks to do all that fine work, Truly stunning!

jane said...

love the colors! thanks for you giveaway!

Sandee said...

Oh lovely. count me in. I know just the dear sister I would give this to, for a birthday present.

Savannah said...

OH MY GOODNESS! That is the cutest!!!

Nancy said...

The embroidery on that pillow is simply amazing!

cindy said...

very pretty! :)

cindyascott{at}yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I remember my grandmother doing embroidery like that.

Karen

karen[dot]woodieATcmaa[dot]org

DonnaC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DonnaC said...

It is beautiful!

Donyale said...

Wow - it's lovely. I have a wonderful collection of all the handmade tablecloths and napkins that my Grandmother made (and lots I made for her) that are very special now she has passed on.

Things like that are made to be treasured - even from the otherside of the world ;)

Becky said...

Very cool. I almost got kicked out of a Hardanger class for counting out loud. Couldn't help it, requires deep concentration and lots of counting.

Nichola said...

Such a beautiful piece of work. Please enter me _ I love the intensity of the blue thread.

Frenchee le Trip said...

Gorgeous and generous giveaway offer! So very pretty and what a work of fine craftsmanship. I have Norwegian roots - Great Grandma Anne came from Norway. Thanks for entering my giveaway! Happy to have found you!

Kaylovesvintage said...

lot"'s of cool vintgage in your place

Kickcan & Conkers said...

What beautiful embroidery! Send it to me please , I'd love to give it a new French home :)

Wehaf said...

Oh how lovely! I would never have the patience for that.

urchiken at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! What a generous giveaway. Cheers!

bdowdcgo (at) aol (dot) com

katherine said...

A fantastic giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity. Should this beautiful piece find it's way to New England, I will protect it from all jam covered fingers!

9patchnurse said...

Such a pretty cushion!! I have just the spot for it. I love your blog.

aware said...

That pillow is beautiful! Thank you for the giveaway.

Prairie Girl Studio said...

i know the giveaway is over, but i just wanted to say how adorable your daughter is, modelling the cushion for you ...
i was admiring the cushion again and thinking about what you said about the chocolate box and how it hasn't changed ... isn't it splendid that this embroidery technique is still with us?
thanks for sharing the history of hardanger ... helping to keep it alive!
pg xo

Wright said...

So beautiful -- what a find! I don't think my eyes could take doing that kind of work but so gorgeous.

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