Owl {always love you} Pillow Friend

My 2nd Pinterest project -- COMPLETE!  Also, my first official "nursery" project done.  Check, check!  Baby Girl's nursery theme:  pink & gray walls, a cherry blossom tree, and two little owl friends sitting in a tree {k-i-s-s-i-n-g?  Not just yet!).  When I first found out I was going to have a daughter I began contemplating what one thing I could give her at birth that she could keep for always.  Natural instinct -- a doll.  I thought I could sew her a raggedy Anne type dolly, after all, I've hand sewn one before, when I was 10 years old.  A doll seemed a little cliche.  So what else?  Then I saw it.  A DIY Owl.  How perfect!  I found the perfect pattern too.  I am IN LOVE with my creation...and even better...I sewed it all by hand!  I do not currently own a sewing machine (although I'm thinking a future investment in one would be good).  My only other option:  to hand sew this little friend.  Can I just say...I am *smitten* by how cute this little owl turned out to be.  I will always tell my daughter "Owl always love you" while wiggling this adorable owl friend in front of her baby face.

The credit for this project and tutorial goes to Toad's Treasures. {{Thank you, Toad's Treasures.  This is definitely a "treasure" find}}