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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Grow Your Blog 2015 ..

Hello my dear friends,

welcome to all of you, old and new to Todolwen and welcome to 'Grow Your Blog' 2015 which is an amazing event had is hosted by my lovely friend Vicki from ...  '2 Bags Full''.


For all of you that haven't visited me before, I am Karen B. of Todolwen.

I started to blog 4 years ago after I met a few very lovely ladies in Blogland in 2011, and ever since then I have been taken in by it.

My blog is Todolwen which is an anagram that I created when I was looking for a name for my blog. It was made up from the words 'old to new' because that is what I love to do; take old tattered, tarnished, broken and unwanted pieces and give them a new life.


I just love being creative ...

... and this is where I do most of my creating.






These photographs were taken last year for the event ...'Where Bloggers Create'. 

And these are only some of my past creations and there are many more ...















As I already said ... I LOVE to create!

I also love to share my ideas and how to make them with others and that is why right now I have 23 free tutorials which you can find on my tutorial page and a few more in my Etsy store.

You might have seen one or two of them on Pinterest ...

... like my Hymn Page Feather, which is my most viewed tutorial ...


... or my little Flutter~By ...


... or my seam binding roses ...  just to mention a few.

One of the nicest things someone has ever said to me is that I inspire them ~ I was so touched and it meant so much to me to know that my creations have an impact on people.

I have many passions and a few of them include my family, anything old, and Todolwen.

I have always been making things ever since I can remember and as my husband would say, I am a ' Jack of all trades'. That is a saying they used in the army (I am the wife of a retired soldier of 24 years). It basically means you can do a lot of different things.

 I love restoring antique furniture, photography and I also sew, knit, crochet, quilt, paint in large or small scale and so much more. I thrive on making new treasures from things I find in second hand stores or garage sales and I always am on the lookout. I always want to learn something new. Years ago I actually used to teach classes and enjoyed it very much when I was an army wife but unfortunately I haven't done so in a long time, and thus I have my tutorial page instead. You will find it by going to the top of my blog and by clicking on the button 'Tutorials' which will then take you there and I am sure there is something little for everyone.

Since this event is all about having fun I am having a little giveaway!

It is so nice to see others being creative and that is why I will be giving away a pattern of your choice that are listed in my Etsy shop to three of you lovelies.

These are the patterns you could choose from ...


 ... there is my millinery head tutorial, my velveteen rabbit tutorial, my scissor pouch tutorial or finally my newest one, my music sheet poinsettia tutorial. 

All you have to do is to leave a comment on this post to enter your name and include which pattern you would choose and why you picked it ... I would just like to know! Please don't forget one thing: ... Make sure you are not a 'no~reply blogger and you have an e-mail address that I can get in contact with you if you are one of the winners. (So check your settings!)

I will announce the winners here on Todolwen on Feb. 15th.

And now please take a look around Todolwen and see what you can discover.

Thank you so much for visiting me here, and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Oops, almost forgot ...

... if you wish to follow me on my journey of creativeness and a little part of  my life you can do so in several different ways; You can click on my 'follow me' button which is located on my right sidebar, slightly down the page. You can also follow me by e-mail, Facebook, Bloglovin', Linky or Pinterest ... which ever way is the best for you and it would make me very happy if you decided to do so.

And last but not least ...

... I would like to thank my dear friend Vicki for putting this party all together again for all of us.
Vicki, you are such an amazing person and artist!

I hope you are well my dear friends and life is treating you kind.

Have a peaceful and creative day.

49 comments:

  1. Hello Karen.I am a new Follower, and I too am participating in the Grow Your Blog Party. I am going to explore some of those Free Tutorials, and hope we can talk again. Love your lovely calm, and ordered space, full of charm.
    Judy

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  2. OOps, sorry Karen, I forgot about your giveaway. I think the little rabbit pattern would be lovely as I make toys for a charity called Back Packs for kids.The back packs go to kids who have to enter emergency care.It helps them and their Foster carers cope better if the child has some essentials and toys. Your pattern reminds me of that lovely children's story The Velveteen Rabbit!
    thanks again
    Judy

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  3. Oh Karen,
    all of your tutorials are so wonderful and inspire me!!!!
    Good luck for all taking part. Because I won a giveaway some time ago, I will not take part, please!

    Hugs Ines♥

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  4. I have had the privilege of following you for awhile. You ARE inspiring! I would like to learn how to make the velveteen rabbit, because I think I can figure out how to make the other things. The rabbit is so sweet, and I would love to have one in my house, too! I especially love how you make pin cushions of just about anything. So special, they are. Thank you for the opportunity to win! I love your studio. Thank you for sharing it with me.

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  5. Hi Karen. I wondered how you named your blog, and now I know. So clever! The little rabbit pattern would be my choice, especially with Easter and spring coming up.but everything you create is beautiful! Hugs, Sue

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  6. Popping in via Vickie's GYBP - and so very pleased that I did!! I would choose the sheet music poinsettia - it calls to me - maybe because I have a strong musical background via my father!! Rest assured I will be back - too much too miss out on if I don't!!!lol Have a wonderful week - Kerrie B at channelbankcreations.blogspot.com.au

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  7. Oooh what a lovely home you have! I love all of your creations particularly that walnut. The giveaway I like most is the velveteen rabbit - mainly because I don't have one and it would go nicely with a sewn rabbit that I do have! I am joining you via Grow Your Blog and will be back to visit you again soon! Have a great day. Sunshine Girl – Grow Your Blog section 24.

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  8. Hi Karen - oh I love your site ... I've just added myself to your followers - there is so much here that I love. Count me in for the scissors pouch pattern. I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party - what a fun day this is going to be :)
    Fil
    Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

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  9. Visiting from Grow Your Blog, and I am so impressed with all your creativity! Adding you to my Bloglovin list!

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  10. Your sewing space looks so calm & inspiring. We have a pike of old sheet musicsko the poinsettia pattern would be really useful. Thank you for your blog. I wonder which syllable you stress in your Todolwen?!

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  11. Your sewing space looks so calm & inspiring. We have a pike of old sheet musicsko the poinsettia pattern would be really useful. Thank you for your blog. I wonder which syllable you stress in your Todolwen?!

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  12. So many beautiful creations. I would love a chance at your patterns. I am a follower and love stopping by. Di@cottage-wishes

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  13. Hello Karen, lovely to meet you thru the GYB event. Love your walnut shell treasure. Recently, I started a pinterest board about walnut shell treasures. I think there was some story in my childhood in Prague which made me fall in love with them so much. Anyway, I'm off to meet some new people, but I'll join with Google so I can come back and get to know you. :D

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  14. It was such fun to read that you were an army wife. I was too. My husband retired in the year 2000 after 25 years in the army. It's hard to believe that was almost 15 years ago. It seems almost like another life time. You have a lovely blog. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win one of those pretty patterns. It's so difficult to choose a favorite of the four patterns but I would choose the music sheet poinsettia tutorial because it would be something new to me.

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  15. It is always a pleasure to visit you and to see your newest creations. I follow you on Feedly and never miss a post. Please do not include me in your giveaway as I just recently won the poinsettia tutorial...just wanted to say hello.

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  16. Hi Karen! My name is Kelly and it's so nice to meet you! You have a lovely blog and your creations are gorgeous!

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  17. I have enjoyed following your blog for the last year. I have been eyeing up your sheet music poinsettia for some time.

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  18. I have long loved your pincushions created with tarnished well loved silver and tin. Always a bit of lace for decoration, but not overdone. Really you have a great eye for soft color and a gentle touch of bling. Your Velveteen Rabbit is the tutorial I would choose, they are so sweet and the Velveteen Rabbit is one of my favorite stories.
    Deb

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  19. Lovely to meet you - you work is fabulous, I especially like the feather!
    I like your scissor pouch

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  20. I would love to make your velveteen rabbits for my young sons!

    t_ktl at yahoo.com

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  21. Hi Karen, I've followed you for a while now and always enjoy hearing and seeing what your have created! I really like the velveteen rabbit because it is so huggable looking and would love to make that for my granddaughter. Thanks!

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  22. Yes Karen - you do inspire us! Your creations are so beautiful and it's because of you that I'm now on a quest to find old tarnished silver pieces for use in my studio. And to answer your question...if I were indeed lucky enough to win one of your giveaways I would have to choose the sweet little rabbit pattern (but, truthfully....I would be thrilled with any of your things!!). Have fun on the tour!

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  23. Hi Karen-- I have long adored your beautiful work. And yes, you are INSPIRING! Love all of your vintage things and your gorgeous handiwork and your sweet gentle spirit. Would love to win your giveaway :-)

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  24. Hi Karen, I found you through Grow Your Blog event. I enjoyed reading about you and your blog :). You have a wonderful collection of beautiful makes here, you are a very versatile crafter! I love all things vintage myself and your love of vintage is just 'pouring' out of your beautiful projects.

    Have a happy GYB! Hugs and best wishes from your newest follower, Asia

    If you'd like to visit me back and find out more about my blog Under a Creative Spell, that would be fab!

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  25. I am so inspired by all of your creativity! Your studio looks so neat compared to mine! If I were so lucky to win one of your patterns it would either be the Velveteen bunny or the millinery head. The head is so unusual and could be so interesting to make and the bunny is just sweet! I have a friend that is having a baby soon and the bunny would make a wonderful gift!

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  26. Hello dear Karen, it's always a great pleasure to visit you. Yes you're indeed one of the talented ladies who inspire me greatly. Your work is so beautiful. I did your seam binding rose tutorial a couple of times now (with the only difference that I crinkled my seam binding, so they look a bit different to yours) and just LOVE it! You do so great in your tutorials, thank you so much for sharing them with us. You're very generous. My favourite one of the four listed above is the scissor pouch tutorial because I had already admired it on your blog and wanted to make one (or probably more). They make such lovely presents. And oh my how lovely is the place where you create. I love that window nook with the light so beautiful on your table. Wishing you a beautiful day and sending you hugs ~ Wendy of Apple and Apricot blogsvanwendy@live.nl

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  27. You are amazingly creative! I love how you up ycle....you are an inspiration.

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  28. Hi dear Karen,
    yes, you truly inspire us. Thanks for letting me revisit your beautiful creations.
    Have fun at the party.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  29. I am so glad to have found your blog! I would pick the velveteen rabbit pattern, because I LOVE that story, and I would love to make the rabbits for myself, my children and their friends. Thank you! sarah@forrussia.org

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  30. Goodness ... I didn't think I'd EVER get here. Working my way down from Vicki's list and here I am.

    You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

    In case you choose my name for the giveaway, I think I'd be HONORED to win the poinsettia pattern. Even though Christmas is far away ... well, you know how that goes. It creeps up quickly.

    So that you know, I've become a Follower - AGAIN. I subscribe to your blog and each and every time I take a peek and my name has disappeared. Soooooo there you have it.

    What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat ... not sure if you've visited yet.

    Happy crafting!
    SuZeQ

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  31. Recently found your blog, love it. I'd pick the music sheet poinsettia. Thanks for the opportunity to win this great prize.

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  32. Hello dear, I'm Loredana and with you in the section 32 of the Grow your blog, happy to read your tutorials and learning more things. Thanks for the opportunity to win this great prize.

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  33. Just lovely...if I should be so lucky I would like the sweet rabbit pattern. Thanks for sharing.

    p.s. found your blog from 2 Bags Full.

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  34. Hello Karen
    Just found your site it is lovely. I'am will be checking out your tutortials shortly. I would love your millinery head pattern. Have a great day.

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  35. Hi! I am visiting from the GYOB party and so nice to have found you! Your blog is lovely and you are so creative! I will be following! ~Terri

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  36. Karen--- your gifts of creativity are amazing-- just to see all these treasure here is so wonderful. Your heart is so full of giving-- you've shared so many of your tutorials with all your friends-- no wonder you are solved.

    It is so lovely to step inside the beautiful place where you bring your creations to life-- so much creativity takes place there.

    I'm so happy you made time to be a part of this blogging event-- it is so wonderful that so many people will get to meet you and see your lovely creations--
    Love
    Vicki

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  37. Hello Dear Karen again,
    So lovely to come and revisit your beautiful work space and to see some of your lovely tutorials that you so kindly share with bloggers. They all make such sweet gifts. I rather love the scissor keep - it is just so sweet like your new nests.
    love and hugs,
    Suzy

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  38. Lovely to see so many of your past projects all in one post. Goodness me, you have created so many beautiful things. And I can easily believe that the feather tutorial is your most popular one, it was fabulous. If I were to win, I think I would pick the millinery head tutorial, it is such a fascinating project.

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  39. I love the rabbits, but I love making flowers, so my favorite is the sheet music pointsettia. It's just calling me! And thank you for the giveaway. You are wonderfully creative.

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  40. Karen: it has been years since I first began following your lovely blog and I am in awe each time! Your current giveaway is a gem! I am quite taken with the velveteen Rabbit! Thank you for making the world a bit more lovely every you post!

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  41. Thank you for your inspiration. I'm a follower of several months and always enjoy your posts. I'd love to join your giveaway please and if lucky I'd love to win the scissor pouch tutorial please. Thanks. Patricia

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    Replies
    1. Oh I've just realised I'm following you on Facebook not Blogger so I've just started following here.

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  42. Karen, I have so enjoyed your posts for the last few years. I love your creations and your sense of humor, the passion with which you embrace life, and the patterns you so generously share. Thank you.

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  43. Hi Karen, I to am a upcycler, reclaim artist you name it I love the challenge of breathing new life into things.. I love your style and my choice would be your lovely scissor pouch, I have your millinery head and just love this pattern.. I bought it to make for a friend who absolutely adored her. I have been your follower via email for a good time now... my email address is ddsdoubles@hotmail.com... love your working studio.. justbeautiful.

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  44. love your blog...love the velveteen rabbit and i would make a wonderful birthday gift for me as the 15th
    is my birthday. Yes, you are an inspiration to all of us. Carole
    ziggyr215@aol.com

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  45. What a beautiful blog! Your designs and studio are lovely. I adore your velveteen rabbits so should I win this generous giveaway, I'd love that pattern. Thank you!

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  46. Great blog! It's my first time here... nice to "meet" you and so many other amazing crafters. I would choose the music sheet poinsettia as it is GORGEOUS! God bless!

    ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com

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  47. I am so glad to have found you! I want to make all of your tutorials! And I will take photos and share them with you someday! Thank you for your tutorials. I am going on a trip and look forward to making the little crochet items! I love the pattern for the heads. All of them are wonderful!

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  48. You have some great ideas for upcycling items. Very inspiring. I love the velveteen rabbits and I think my new grandson would too.

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