Freitag, 8. März 2013

Get a clue...

To be honest,I didn't have the tiniest bit of a clue who Nancy Drew is when I saw the announcement for the blog hop.



I had to google her :-)
But I really liked the fabric line, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a smart, fearless young woman as a role model for young readers. Reminded me of the Enid Blyton books I loved so much when I was a kid... Do you read there books here in the US? The famous five?

When I received my online ordered fabric, I was astonished how big the pictures on the panel where. And did you realize how cute the selvage is?



The blog hop was shifted, and I kind of lost the task out of my eye...

So the reminder about the hop start came, and guess what? Me still clueless...
I first thought that it would be great to do an ebook or tablet cover, but meanwhile, I had bought some in  a store....

First of all, I decided what to do with my left overs (I knew I would have some:) Turn two of the book covers from the panel into a really simple library tote. So I sat a large quantity of the fabric aside, but I think, that was a good decision. This fabric makes a wonderful library tote:

The bag doesn't have a front and back, it has two equally nice sides:



And here is a picture of the handles:



And then, suddenly, I knew what I wanted to do for my main project : a book pillow!

Since having one, I really enjoy reading on my ebook-reader. No additional light necessary, so lightweigt, all my books in one small place.
But some books one just has to read the old fashion way - how inconvenient ;-)
That was the moment I remembered the "Lese Lotte" (something like: "reading Roberta") a pillow that holds the book for the reader. No pattern available. So I kept on google-ing, and came up with a free pattern for a "Buchkissen" (book pillow):

So here it is, my Nancy Drew project:




put the book on the pillow and strap it down, so it stays open on the side you are just reading:



From the side it looks like this:


and without a book like this:


It's not a mistake you can see the selvage on the top side, I really like the look. of it, like a divider for the two fabrics:



The cover has a zipper, so it can be easily removed for washing (the inlet is filled with grains)



So what am I reading?
I am quite sure you tried to figure it out :-)



The giving quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini :-) I am sure a lot of you read it too.
I really, really love this series of quilting themed books, but I was a little disappointed by the last one (The weddding quilt?), which was very short and and a little bit dull. So i decided to check the new one out at the library rather than buying it.
So far, I am really enjoying it. Much better than the wedding quilt.

I am really delighted that I was able to combine my most favorite hobbies in this project.

and finally here is the reason why I am not as present as usually on the internet this time:
a good friend of mine is visiting from Germany at the moment and staying with us. We met in middle school and have been friends ever since. She is even the godmother of my oldest daughter. She "volunteered" to model how it looks like to use the book pillow:


(Of course, usually even germans don't wear coats in bed. we just came home from a trip...)

She never heard of a book pillow before but liked it immediately. Might be I have to make a second one....

Thanks to Madame Samm and Carole for the organization of this blog hop - you are doing a wonderful job, as always! It is always such a pleasure to work as a group and see all the wonderful projects show up on blogs around the world.

please check out my fellow day-mates:


The German Mom  <----- (you are here)


this blog hop will continue for another whole week, so there will a lot more projects to discover...

Have a great day
Tina

PS if you want to make a book pillow too and need help with the directions, please let me know. I can help you with the translation and the conversion of the measurements.














81 Kommentare:

  1. Tina, I SEW enjoyed your post today. Love how the panels shows up on your library tote front and back. Your Book pillow is a delight and I will try my hand in sewing one or two for our trips on the road. What a delight to stop by and enjoy your company at home. Thanks for sharing...Judith, Texas

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  2. That book pillow is really clever!

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  3. Now that is the most original thing I have seen on this hop. A book pillow, how wonderful. You will just have to do a tutorial on that one, I just love it. Even though I read my kindle more than I read books, I would love to have one, and I also love the bag, can't get away with useing great fabric that screams bag.

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  4. I really liked your book bag, but your book pillow really blew me away! Oh how I would love to make one. Thank you for sharing your fabulous Nancy Drew projects.

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  5. I love, love, love your book pillow! So perfect! Will probably have to make myself one, as I am constantly propping my current read on a regular pillow, and it would be so much better with the little straps!

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  6. Your bag is great and I LOVE your book pillow, what an excellent idea. I prefer my e-reader these days but you're right, there are occasions when you just have to read a real book.

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  7. your book pillow is such a great idea, love how you can keep it open, it really annoys me when reading that if the book is on the table the pages will not stay open, think I will have to do something similar. Book bag another good idea.
    I was an Enid Blyton reader too a long long time ago.

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  8. Such a great idea with a book pillow. Thanks for sharing your lovely projects

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  9. I love the book pillow--I've never seen those before and the book cover bags are very neat!

    Jenn:)

    www.nancydrewsleuth.com

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  10. How wonderful. You made a very useful item and it looks great too.

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  11. I love the idea of a book holder very interesting. You did a great job putting your theme and ideas together...have a great hop///please visit me on Monday

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  12. I love unique clever ideas! Great job!

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  13. What a great idea the book pillow is. I think I should make one for my daughter!

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  14. Love the book tote and especially the pillow... great idea! And enjoy your special visitor!

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  15. What an awesome idea! I usually just use my husband for a book pillow but when he rolls over or moves his arm I lose my place. ;o)

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  16. Great idea! Love the way you combined the fabrics too.

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  17. Wonderful idea, especially when you have an actual box instead of an e reader.

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  18. What great projects!! and I love the selvedges too - this is the first time I've seen them!
    Thank you for sharing!

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  19. I've never seen a book pillow but I do like what I see, very much!
    I seriously want to learn how to make these...there are many readers in our family...and this has me thinking...these would make great Christmas gifts! :)

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  20. I have wanted to make one of these pillows for the longest time! Now I can- LOVE THIS! As usual your workmanship is perfect!

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  21. This is one of the better uses of this fabric. Book holder would be very handy

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  22. I've never seen a book holder like that--I love it! That is just the greatest idea. Your bag turned out perfectly, too, and shows off those panels nicely. Thanks for hopping with us and enjoy your visitor!

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  23. What? Germans don't wear coats in beds? (Couldn't stop laughing when I saw your comment!)
    I had never even heard of a book pillow... but it seems awesome and I love the way you used the Nancy Drew fabric. I noticed the selvages also... very cool.
    I didn't read the Enid Blyton books you mentioned, but did read some from her Noddy series that a friend of mine had. I have one Noddy book that has moved with me many times over the last, well, almost 50 years!!

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  24. Great idea for a book pillow. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. This is a great wrist saver at night. Thank you for sharing :)

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  26. How wonderful! I love the idea of a book pillow. I might make one for my husband to hold his Kindle. I always get a chuckle at night when we are reading and his Kindle suddenly flops to his chest as he drops quickly off to sleep! At least with a pillow, it wouldn't wake him up! Your pillow looks wonderful!

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  27. This is awesome! I really would love to make one.... Can you help with the translation and measurement conversion?

    Congrats on being one of the chosen!

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  28. Those are great ideas - especially the pillow for the book. Nice work!!!

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  29. Great projects. And the book pillow was a very creative idea.

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  30. This is my favorite ND project I've seen! Thanks for sharing!

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  31. What a great idea and project. Thanks for showing the selvage edge too, how cute. I didn't buy any of the fabric so I hadn't seen the selvage. I like saving and using selvages in some projects too.

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  32. What a great project! Loved how you used the selvages in your project, just too cute!!

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  33. A book pillow is a wonderful choice of project for this round! Love it and I will nominate you for most creative today! The book bag works well too and a great way to feature the fabrics.

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  34. What a great idea! You did a nice job with it & the post.

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  35. A book pillow! What a great idea! I really need one of these. Might be in touch later if I can't figure it out.

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  36. Great idea. I had never seen a book pillow. Thanks for sharing.

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  37. what a great idea! Thanks for sharing it!

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  38. Great project! I found and downloaded the pattern, so maybe I can figure it out. Thanks.I also like your book bag. good job,

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  39. Love the book pillow. I like to read too. 2 months ago I did get a kindle but there is something about just holding a book in hand. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. The book pillow is simply adorable! I should make a couple of those for Christmas presents. Great work!

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  41. A book pillow, now just how cool is that! Great project!

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  42. Sehr gute Projekte! Vielleicht werde ich auch eine machen. Ich wohne gleich in die Naehe von Balboa Park. Ich weiB daB Du sagst Du hast nie Zeit aber wenn Du einmal Deutsch mit jemand sprechen moechte, ich wuerde Dich genere treffen. Ich wohnte in Oesterreich und moechte gern Deutsch ueben.

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  43. Excellent idea, just what I need and the perfect material, I love the book pillow.

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  44. I love your book pillow! Great idea!

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  45. I've never seen a book pillow before but I love it! So glad you made one to share. Its wonderful. The tote was a great use of the panel pieces!

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  46. Welllll Tina...the clue here for me....is if you don't think everyone is not going to love this..you would be clueless lol. it is a great comfort to think of such a project that is a solution to many of us bed readers..way to go. This is PERFECT

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  47. Your book pillow is fabulous! I like how you used the selvages too. Very nice!

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  48. Tina,
    I LOVE the book pillow(bag is cute too). I read in bed all the time and this would be great! I may have to make one! Altough at this rate I will definitely have to order more Nancy fabric!! Thanks for sharing your great idea!

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  49. Wow, love the book pillow! What a great idea!

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  50. Your book pillow is just gorgeous.Thanks for sharing!

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  51. Your tote is so cute for going to the Library. But the book pillow, how adorable is that!!! I love it. You did a beautiful job with it too. Thanks so much for sharing this with us all.

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  52. I wish I had a book cover when I was in high school years and years and years ago. I'd so some of my reading while soaking in a nice warm bath. Our toilet was at the very end of the tub and I'd lay my book on the closed lid. Of course, every now and then I'd have to turn a page. Wait, I have to dry a hand. This would have been perfect to hold the book up at an easy angle for reading. Yes, I was an overachiever way back then. Your projects are amazing. I really like the strap on your book bag and it having two beautiful sides is a sure plus. I think lots of us are very inspired by your reading pillow. I hope you are having a wonderful visit with your friend. Also, very glad to know that most Germans don't wear a coat to bed. Thanks for participating in the blog; making woonderful projects; being entertaining; and being an inspiration.

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  53. Love your projects. Congratulations on being an Honorable mention!

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  54. I loved the book pillow. I wonder if I could make one for reading my iPad in bed? Thanks for sharing

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  55. Great pillow! I have never seen one before. Thanks for sharing.

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  56. No, I have not read Enid B.'s books but am going to see if the library has some. Thanks. The selvages are darling - thanks for sharing that. It was a wonderful idea to use the selvage on your pillow. I need a book bag and yours is perfect.

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  57. What an Awesome Pillow!! Great idea to have....or to make for special gift for book loving Friends!!! :)

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  58. What an awesome idee this pillow. Its lovely.
    Thanks for charing.

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  59. What a wonderful idea - I wish I'd had one of these years ago! blessings, marlene

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  60. A very creative idea , I would love to have one because I am an avid reader too. Also love your book bag. Thanks for sharing.

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  61. I love your book pillow. Sometimes I place my cushion on my lap so my computer is a bit higher. I love your idea. Great projects.

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  62. What a terrific idea, love it.

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  63. What a wonderful idea. Sew cute.

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  64. I really like the bag, but I LOVE the book holder! That's the first one I've seen on the hop (or ever). I NEED to make one now. I read the Wedding Quilt, and I liked it, but I really liked the book before that one. I think a new one is out that I need to read, but I love the series also. Thanks for the ingenious project! I really love it. I'm booking this page so I can make one soon. If I need help, I will let you know. Thank you!

    -karrie

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  65. Gutten Tag!! I love the book pillow!! As an avid reader, this looks like the "must have" item that I really could use. I would love to know how to make this wonderful item if you please. I'm currently reading this same author but this book isn't part of the Elm Creek series. The title is Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker. This is a great reader laced with some history weaved into it. I highly recommend it if you like her books.
    Thank you for being part of this blog hop and sharing your great projects with us.

    Sincerely,
    Tricia

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  66. The book pillow is a wonderful idea! I also like the fabric you used for the library bags.

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  67. wow book pillow such a nice idea! great fabric to sew this!
    thank's for sharing and have a wonderful day

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  68. What a great use for the book fabric. I love it.

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  69. OMG! A book pillow! I totally need to make one of those for magazine reading in bed too. What a great idea!
    And I've reread a bunch of the Nancy Drew's recently to be able to discuss w/a 10 year old girl who is into them. I like them just as much as I did when I was young. If you want to read some, I would suggest finding the original blue covered ones. They were rewritten in the 50's and aren't as good as the originals.

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  70. HI Tina...did you know you were top creative of the day? at www.sewwequilt.com
    on your day?

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  71. Super cool!! Love the pillow, how ingenious!

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