SouleMama Sponsor ~ OTTOBRE DESIGN ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, OTTOBRE design. In the words of editor-in-chief and designer Tuula:  

"OTTOBRE design is a magazine specializing in children's and women's fashion. Each kids issue includes forty trendy and fun to sew designs and complete patterns and instructions for sewing. Each OTTOBRE womans issue includes 20 designs. The magazine is designed in Finland. Subscriptions are sold all over the world!"

 

"We use our blog as a handy tool to publish  tutorials, free patterns for tiny projects like toys, bags etc."

SouleMama: Tell us about the history of OTTOBRE design.

Tuula: Our magazine has been coming out for ten years already, so this is a perfect time to pause for a moment and celebrate! Though the years seem to have flown by, all sorts of things have taken place in the past decade. When in the fall of 1999 we began to plan our publishing operations and the launch of our own magazine, all we had at our disposal was a good idea, lots of enthusiasm, and “willing hands”. Our little design company was stepping into shoes that seemed several sizes too big, since businesses operating in the magazine-sector tend to be big publishing houses responsible for dozens of magazines.

To begin with, OTTOBRE-magazine came out only in Finnish and Dutch, but already at the end of year one the first German-language issue appeared on newsstands’ shelves. They were tense times, and we would await the sales figures with a certain amount of anxiety. The tension was relieved and we were able to sigh with relief only when we saw that the customers had found us and had liked our magazine.

We began publishing the Swedish-language version of the magazine in the fall of 2002, and the much hoped-for English-language version came out in spring 2003. Responding to the wishes of our readers for a version of the magazine dedicated to women’s clothes, we launched OTTOBRE woman in spring 2006.

SouleMama: Tell us about your own background.

Tuula:My mom taught me how to sew when I was just a little kid.  Barbie clothes were my first creations. I also had four smaller siblings and I used to sew clothes for them as a teenager. After highschool I studied clothing design and technology and graduated as designer when I was 24 years. I started my own design studio in 1986, when my first born was one year. During the next seven years we had three more kids and I ran my business as SAHM by designing clothes to fashion industry till the end of 1999. The first OTTOBRE design magazine was published in spring 2000 and this year we have our 10 years celebration.Our company grew slowly and today we have seven to ten all day employees in our office here in Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland and several freelancers all over the world.

SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? The most challenging?

Tuula: The favourite part of my job is designing the kids clothing. I'm also addicted to pattern drafting and grading. I love numbers! The most challenging part of my job is to "knot all yarns together" when the magazines go to printhouse. It is always little miracle: the translations, the pattern sheets and everything. The one who hasn't seen it couldn't believe how hectic it can be,  but still I love it! The people who work for us live in several continents and we mainly work by web-connection. Our German translator for example lives in Spain and our Swedish translator in a tiny island near the soutwest coast of Finland. We do have subscription agents in South Korea, Australia, USA and several countries in Europe. It is so interesting to work with all these lovely people.

SouleMama: Where do you go to recharge?

Tuula: The beautiful nature here in Arctic Circle is our  greatest place for everyday meditation. I watch the huge Kemi-river running in our back yard and listen the old trees humming in the wind.

SouleMama: How has motherhood changed the work you do?

Tuula: Motherhood and my kids have made me the human being I am today. They have taught me to laugh, enjoy and play. The have taught me patience, courage and happiness. My world would be very empty without them and of course my DH.

For today's giveaway, OTTOBRE design is generously offering the following gift to FIVE lucky winners:

a 2011 OTTOBRE design® subscription
(which includes including 4 Kids' and 2 women's magazines)

In addition, OTTOBRE design is offering SouleMama readers a 30% discount on back issues from years 2001-2006. In 2001 and 2002, the magazine wasn't published in English, but is available in Finnish, Dutch, German or Swedish. Use code "SOULEMAMA OFFER 2010" in the comment field when ordering through the website. The offer is good through November 14, 2010. 

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Thank you to OTTOBRE design!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8am EST. Comments closed! Winner will be announced by end of day on Monday.

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