288: Stop 3 for Countryside Softies…..

288: Stop 3 for Countryside Softies…..

Hello there!  If you are stopping by for the first time to the Blue Nickel….welcome!

Today is a “special” day as I think it is the first time I have been part of an international Blog Book Tour!  And I am so delighted that this first time event here is for Amy AdamsCountryside Softies !

I received a digital copy to review…and  Dang!! These are the cutest creations ever!!  Every single one of these critters has such charm and character.   And the photography for this book is awesome!  The directions are well laid out with great illustrations and photos showing you how to pop these babies out….

all photos are courtesy of Stash Books and they show you just how cute these creatures really are.   But not pictured are some of my favorites…..you will have to get the book to meet the swan, the kingfisher, and the squirrel with his fabulous tail!!

And even better Miss Amy stopped by here all the way across the Atlantic and the breadth of the US to visit us on the West Coast!!  ( I love the internet for that ability!)

She has even agreed to grant us a little interview!  So welcome Amy!!

BNS: The  first question and this is just for me…you created the peacock in the Birds collaborative book, right? that is so adorable…I have an almost finished one that I started last May that I just love….and it IS so forgiving that’s what I love. I thrive on a little wonkiness every once in awhile!

AMY: The story behind the Peacock, is when C&T Publishing first approached me about submitting a book proposal, I was also asked to submit for the ‘Little Birds’ book too. So, I doubled up and created a whole birds chapter which was used for both submissions. The Peacock and the Stork went into the ‘Little Birds’ book and the Kingfisher ended up in ‘Countryside Softies’. I have a family of Penguins left, maybe they’ll end up in my next book!

BNS: What is the oldest thing in your refrigerator?

AMY: Eeek, a jar of red pesto. Which finally got used up at tea time in a tuna pasta salad.

BNS: What is the first Crafty thing you remember making?

AMY: When I was little, I remember my mum sewing and knitting a lot, she used to make a fair few of my clothes. She also had a button stash which I used to sit and play with. I knew back then, I had done some sewing but had forgotten all about it until she passed on her old wooden sewing box to me. Inside, there was a little square pincushion with a felt ‘Snoopy’ shape on the front which I made, I suppose I must have been about 8.

BNS: What was your favorite color as a child? what about now?

AMY: I was the same as most little girls back then, and my favourite colour was pink. Nowadays I’d say it’s red.

BNS: What Softie have you not yet made that you really, really want to, but haven’t yet attempted??

AMY: I really want to make a pinecone. So many other Softie makers have already made superb pinecones though, I shy away from making one. I also find the idea of making Softies of inanimate objects inspiring, and have a hankering to make a clock and a globe.

BNS: What is your favorite Childhood memory?

AMY: There are so many thing to choose from here, but recently, I’ve been thinking about the street parties we had here in the UK, 1977 (I was 7) and it was for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. With the Royal Wedding imminent, I’m hoping to have a bit of a garden party and recreate 1977, union jack bunting and flares maybe.

BNS: If you could go back in time, what would you have done differently if you were given the chance?

AMY: Now, that’s a question and a half! Keeping things light, I would say, the day I went clothes shopping, I went into the fitting room to try on a pair of trousers and walked back out into a crowded shop in just my underwear, I would go back and whisper in my ear “put your skirt back on you numb nut”. My excuse is, I was very tired, new baby who didn’t sleep, just about to go back to work after a very short maternity leave etc etc…

BNS: Favorite Cookie?

AMY: Anyone who reads my blog will know I am a bit of a greedy pig when it comes to anything chocolatey. I don’t have favourites when it comes to sweet things, I eat them all.

BNS: Favorite Music Group when you were in school?

AMY: Human League. A lot of my friends were into Duran Duran and Wham, but I was a big Human League fan in the 80’s.

BNS: Favorite Music Group now?

AMY: I listen to all sorts now, ranging from Abba, to Madonna, via bands like Goldfrapp. It’s a bit of an eclectic mix.

BNS: Did you make your bed this morning?

AMY: Yep!

BNS: The last book you read was? and what did you think of it? and how long ago did you read it?

AMY: The last few books I read were craft books, all in the name of research. Prior to that, it was a book all about Queen Elizabeth I, by an historian called David Starkey, that was a while ago now but i do love history.

and the awesomeness of this blog tour!  YOU can win a copy just by dropping a comment here on this post! and you have other chances to win at all these other stops on the tour here:

monday 18th april – whip up – http://whipup.net/ (kicking off with a brand new, not in the book, free pattern)
tuesday 19th april – bari j – http://www.barij.typepad.com/
wednesday 20th april – blue nickel studios – https://bluenickelstudios.com/ oh look …you are here now!!!
thursday 21st april – fat quarterly – http://fatquarterly.com/
friday 22nd april – ric-rac – http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/
saturday 23rd april – skyo – http://syko.typepad.com/
sunday 24th april – lucykate craftshttp://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com
monday 25th april – treefall designhttp://treefalldesign.typepad.com
tuesday 26th april – i heart linen – http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/
wednesday 27th april – sometimes crafter – http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.com/
thursday 28th april – plush you – http://plushyou.blogspot.com/
friday 29th april – allsorts – http://www.allsorts.typepad.com/
So leave a comment to win…I will draw a name on Easter Sunday the 24th  sometime in the afternoon!  and make sure you stop by to visit those fab peeps at Fat Quarterly tomorrow for your chance to win again there!!
Oh, and I have extended this giveaway two more days until Friday the 22nd….so go leave some comments there to get a pop at that prize as well…

66 Comments

  • Those are so adorable! I would love to win this book to make some for my kiddos. Thank you for the opportunity!

    April 20, 2011 at 4:27 am
  • Nikki

    Reply

    Such a fun looking book and terrific interview great questions!

    April 20, 2011 at 4:40 am
  • Mary

    Reply

    What a cute bunch of softies! I would love to have a go making a these creatures, it’s so nice to see something a bit different. Fingers crossed i’m lucky this Easter :o)

    April 20, 2011 at 5:51 am
  • LH

    Reply

    These are so adorable!! And I love the questions you ask 🙂

    April 20, 2011 at 5:58 am
  • The book is great…. would love to win it, but if I don’t- I’ll be watching out for it!
    I think this book/blog tour is a novel idea for spreading the word! Thumbs up to whomever thought of it!

    April 20, 2011 at 6:41 am
  • Love those bunnies, those would have been fun to make for easter. The more I see of the book, the more I would love to have one, so many fun projects.

    Debbie

    April 20, 2011 at 7:00 am
  • Oh thats funny HUman League lol lol love it….thanks for the little insight into another wonderful artist!

    April 20, 2011 at 7:04 am
  • This is such a lovely book, I’d love to win it. The softies are so cute!

    Great interview questions as well 🙂

    April 20, 2011 at 7:19 am
  • Christine Currie

    Reply

    I would like to try my hand at making some birds. Amy has done a great job creating these 3-dimensional critters.

    April 20, 2011 at 7:59 am
  • What a great interview! Thanks for sharing! I LOVE the badger – it’s the first time I’ve seen his cute face and he is now skyrocketing to the top of my “must make” list.

    cheers!

    April 20, 2011 at 8:12 am
  • Ellen Ban

    Reply

    Enjoyed the interview with Amy. If all of the projects are as cute as the cover, I’ll have to get a copy!

    April 20, 2011 at 8:14 am
  • Ooooh, too cute! I didn’t think I was a ‘softie person’ but boy howdy, I think I’ve been converted!

    April 20, 2011 at 8:24 am
  • JO P-S

    Reply

    Hello, I’ve never been on your blog before, how exciting 🙂 As much as I’d like chance to win Amy’s book, I also love mooching about blogs & being generally nosey a bit like the badger in the pic’s !

    April 20, 2011 at 8:38 am
  • What a fun interview! Thanks for helping us get to know Amy better. I am in love with this book and would love to win a copy! Thank you!

    April 20, 2011 at 8:46 am
  • Syd

    Reply

    These are so cute. I would love the make them, so thanks for this chance to win!!!

    April 20, 2011 at 9:26 am
  • Julie in WA

    Reply

    I love your quirky interview style! I have become a big fan of softies; I don’t think I have the know-how to create one off the top of my head, so this recent influx of make-your-own-softies books is a wonderful addition to the world of crafting! I’d love a copy of this book!

    April 20, 2011 at 10:47 am
  • What adorable little creatures! I’d love to see the globe or the clock. Those would be really cute!

    April 20, 2011 at 10:53 am
  • Brenda Howard

    Reply

    Love these little creatures, they are so precious and I would love to try my hand at making some of them.

    April 20, 2011 at 11:10 am
  • Oh my gosh, those are so cute! Thanks for the great interview! I would love to make those softies with my daughters!

    April 20, 2011 at 11:29 am
  • Great interview, really enjoyed it. Feel like I know Amy. I jumped up and made my bed right away when I realized I had gotten the bad habit of not making it. I am sure every morning will be a memory of Amy now. I hope I am the winner of a copy of her book.

    April 20, 2011 at 11:39 am
  • Therese

    Reply

    The more pictures I see from this book, the more I want it. Those bunnies are just super for Easter and that badger is adorable. I previously bougth the birds book beacuse I wanted to make the peacock. Amy is so talented!! Way to go, girl!
    And loved the interview. Good questions. Brilliant with such virtual book tours cause it gives us a chance to get to know some new blogs. Looking forwards to exploring Blue Nickel Studios some more.

    April 20, 2011 at 12:34 pm
  • I’d love to win a copy of this book – thank you for hosting the giveaway 🙂 Now I’m curious about pinecone softies, and will have to google for pictures, lol!

    April 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm
  • sam sykes

    Reply

    LOVE this book – my Sister got it for me recently and i’ve had a lot of fun making the mice, owls and other furry critters (many more still to make too!)…i’d like to be able to win her a copy now!!!

    April 20, 2011 at 1:21 pm
  • MelodyJ

    Reply

    This looks like a fun book.

    April 20, 2011 at 2:03 pm
  • Stephanie R

    Reply

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book and discover more of it anyway. And it was nice to read the interview of the talented authoress!

    April 20, 2011 at 2:12 pm
  • LoriJ

    Reply

    What a great book! I would love to win it!

    April 20, 2011 at 6:22 pm
  • The softies look adorable. I can’t wait to see the other items in the book. Thanks for arranging the giveaway and interview.

    April 20, 2011 at 6:25 pm
  • Colleen

    Reply

    Thanks for the interview and the book looks wonderful!

    April 20, 2011 at 6:29 pm
  • gina s.

    Reply

    Oh, that book looks so fun! I would love to win it. Thanks so much for offering it!

    Hugs,
    gina

    April 20, 2011 at 6:39 pm
  • Love the interview! What fun! Those softies are adorable!

    April 20, 2011 at 8:47 pm
  • Katy yo

    Reply

    I love that goofy fox on the cover.

    April 20, 2011 at 9:53 pm
  • I have loved Amy’s work since I saw the peacock in the birds book. My mum bought it in Sydney and thought I might like some of the projects. I just love crafty birds. I love that cheeky fox on the cover of her new book and will just have to buy it if I don’t win one.

    April 20, 2011 at 11:25 pm
  • A fun review of the book. The fox on the cover has won me over completly.
    Happy days.
    Bev.xoxo

    April 20, 2011 at 11:55 pm
  • Ching

    Reply

    Love to work on all the projects in the book. They all look so cute.

    April 21, 2011 at 12:56 am
  • What a fun post! If I don’t win this book, I will have to buy it! It’s adorable!
    Thanks for a chance to win!

    April 21, 2011 at 4:23 am
  • Such darling critters. I would love the opportunity to win the book.

    April 21, 2011 at 5:17 am
  • I’d love the book just for the hedgehogs! Sooo cute!

    April 21, 2011 at 5:20 am
  • What a treasure this book is, and I hope it becomes mine!

    April 21, 2011 at 5:46 am
  • Laura

    Reply

    That fox is just about the cutest thing ever. Would love to know how to make him!

    April 21, 2011 at 6:30 am
  • I’ve been waiting so long for this book to come out! I’m so glad it’s finally here – would love to own a copy! 🙂

    April 21, 2011 at 7:09 am
  • VickiT

    Reply

    I adore these little critters. Super cute. Any child would love to have these to play with. I’d love to win this book so I could make some for my Granddaughter.

    April 21, 2011 at 7:29 am
  • Indianna

    Reply

    Thanks for the interview – I like the bunnies – maybe because I’ve just broken into the Easter chocs!!!

    April 21, 2011 at 7:59 am
  • Artifax

    Reply

    All of these creatures are just so, so adorable!! I would love a chance to win this cute book!

    April 21, 2011 at 8:50 am
  • Vicki K

    Reply

    These are great interview questions! I like the one about the oldest thing in your frig… These softies are not only sweet they exude Woodlandiness perfectly – you can almost smell the pine trees from the photos! What a great book!

    April 21, 2011 at 9:04 am
  • Loved the interview and I so understand the shopping story I’ve done similar mad things due to baby sleep dep ! Book looks fabulous to.

    April 21, 2011 at 10:58 am
  • Gill

    Reply

    This looks a great book!
    I love the robin

    April 21, 2011 at 11:37 am
  • Amy’s book is wonderful! I love all of the animals and their personalities. Thank you for hosting this great giveaway. 🙂

    April 21, 2011 at 11:51 am
  • I would just love to win this book. Aren’t those bunnies the cutest!!! Love it!!

    April 21, 2011 at 1:12 pm
  • The more I see of these softies the more I like them, so much character.

    April 21, 2011 at 4:32 pm
  • Sarita

    Reply

    I love this little critters! What an awesome book!

    April 21, 2011 at 5:44 pm
  • I NEED to make a swan softie, so I NEED this book! Cute stuff!

    Like I know…right??

    April 21, 2011 at 6:51 pm
  • I know I’m a little late but I just can’t help but follow this beautiful book around!

    April 21, 2011 at 8:02 pm
  • I would love to win a copy of this book..and so would my baby!!

    April 21, 2011 at 8:34 pm
  • Pam

    Reply

    Love that fox!

    April 22, 2011 at 5:16 am
  • Mimi T

    Reply

    I would love to win a copy of this book – looks incredible!! Mr. Fox on the cover stole my heart – too sweet! Thanks!

    April 22, 2011 at 5:45 am
  • This book is full of cute critters! Thanks for the chance!

    April 22, 2011 at 6:18 am
  • What a great book….I love wool, and softies. Thanks for sharing.

    April 22, 2011 at 7:34 am
  • This book looks like a load of fun. So sweet.

    Thanks for the opportunity.

    April 22, 2011 at 8:06 am
  • Lisa Marie

    Reply

    Adorable! Thanks for the chance to win.

    April 22, 2011 at 8:21 am
  • Kristina

    Reply

    What an adorable book. I would LOVE to win this!

    April 22, 2011 at 9:44 am
  • These critters are just too cute! Thanks for a chance to win.

    April 22, 2011 at 12:13 pm
  • Kathy R

    Reply

    Please, please, please pick me. I would love a copy of this book. I have a friend who loves bunnies and would be thrilled with her own little family of softie bun-buns. Thanks for the chance.

    April 22, 2011 at 2:29 pm
  • That skunk is _adorable_! 🙂

    Linda


    haha! I thought it was a skunk first too…it’s actually a badger!!
    🙂

    April 22, 2011 at 5:50 pm
  • Ramona

    Reply

    This book is to cute! All the softies I have seen are adorable. Thanks for the chance to win!

    April 23, 2011 at 7:17 am
  • Jacqui

    Reply

    Those bunnies are killing me! As is the news that there are squirrels in there 🙂 thanks for the interview and the chance to win!

    the squirrel is Awesome!!

    April 24, 2011 at 12:38 pm
  • Penny G

    Reply

    Those critters are just so cute! Would love to win the book.

    April 25, 2011 at 5:21 pm

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