Monday 18 August 2014

Of Cushions and Days Out......

Good grief, where has the time gone since my last post?!!

It certainly has gone in the blink of an eye, and I guess that's because everyday seems full on at the moment, but in a good, holidayish way. Having Bella at home means we're trying to make the most of our time.

We've been out and about lots this last week or two, and the few days I've been at home I've been sewing or pottering in the garden, or we've been baking.

On the creative front, I've made several new cushions including this one........


now with a quilted heart in the centre square



..........made from original 1930s - 1950s feedsack fabrics, hand pieced and hand quilted, with a vintage French blue and cream checked reverse...............





................and this pretty pink vintage French floral one, with a recycled work shirt reverse.



  



Finally, I have a work in progress.........



.......this star made from a pinkish red vintage dress fabric, and recycled work shirt, which has been hand pieced (epp) and is now awaiting the next stage - being appliqued onto a piece of natural linen, then made up into..........yes, of course, it has to be another cushion!

Both finished cushions are now available to buy in my Etsy shop.



The best of the days out have been Eastbourne Airborne, an airshow at the seafront this past weekend, and a visit to Sissinghurst Castle in Kent.

I shall do a separate post on these later in the week once I've sorted out the photos properly, but here's a taster from Sissinghurst.............






Sissinghurst

I hope you are all having good summer holidays, either at home or away, and enjoying some sunshine.

I must apologise that my blog visiting has been rather sporadic these last few weeks - I have so many blogs to catch up with so if I haven't paid you a visit for a while, I will do very soon! 

Sissinghurst

In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to visit me here, and for all your lovely comments - I do so enjoy reading them!

19 comments:

  1. Especially love your star, just goes to show that even a small amount of EPP can really go a long way, very effective.

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  2. Your cushions are lovely as are the photos of the gorgeous gardens. When it's summer, you just want to get out and about and enjoy the weather. Plenty of time to catch up on blogs when the weather turns cold. :)
    Anne xx

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  3. Your cushions are wonderful as always. I have a soft yellow chenille bedspread and I am thinking about making a couple cushions in yellow and lavender, maybe even a bit of pink, because my bedroom walls are pink. Have you made any in that combination? What do you think about those colors together? Your's are always so gorgeous, so I thought that I would ask the queen if cushion stitchery:)
    Have a wonderful day.
    Connie :)

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    1. Hi Connie, thanks for your comment and your flattery - it will get you everywhere! I have always thought that everything you make looks good so I'm sure whatever you decide to do will work well.
      I am no expert but as you ask my opinion, then I personally think that if you bring in colours, or tones of colours, that you already have in a room, then almost any colour combo works as a cushion as long as you are not using too many different colours together (which is harder to make work well unless everything else is neutral or you are going for a rich riot of colour!), and that you include atleast one that picks up the dominant colour scheme. A cushion is only a small item in a room but it can add a lot of punch so you can be quite daring really. Yellows, like red and pink, always adds a bit of warmth and life to a scheme, and the soft yellow of your bedspread sounds a lovely shade. I'm sure what you have in mind will look great, combining a similar yellow with either a lavender, or picking out a tone of the pink, or both. just do what you always do and play around until you think it looks good.

      And I also think that at the end of the day, if you love the colours/fabrics you have chosen, and if you think it looks good, then that's all that matters - it's your home to decorate as you please, and I believe it's far better to be individual with colours and use those you love and will enjoy being around, than to follow fashion trends just for the sake of it, and end up with a room that's bland, boring or the same as everybody else!

      Hope this helps Connie!
      Gill xx

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    2. Thank you so much for your advice. It really does help. I want the room to be very soft and cozy, that's the way a bedroom should be in my opinion. The pink on my walls is very pale and the yellow in the spread is light, so I think that I will take it with me when I shop for fabric. I've found some yellows to be very brassy and bold . . . I want relaxing shades :) I love what you said about having a room that looks like everyone else's . . . that is the last thing I want :)
      Everything that you make is outstandingly beautiful, that's why I ask for your help. That and the fact that you are so sweet. I love the things you create and the colors that you use. There is always a vintage look about your work, like something from the 1940's or 50's and I am a huge fan of that era.
      Thank you again,
      Connie :)

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  4. Delightful cushions as always, I was impressed with the vintage French blue and cream fabric and the quilted heart was stunning.

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  5. Your cushions are always so lovely. I have some fabric that I bought with the intention of making a cushion - I really must get at it!

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  6. lovely little post like your handwork cushions and lovely label on it wow thats seems a lovely day out
    never been to sissinghurst castle and gardens but is looks lovely hope to go there some time
    greetings leon10

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  7. Your pillows are so pretty! I love everything about them. Sissinghurst has me intrigued, I'm looking forward to seeing more.

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  8. Your cushions are really pretty - as usual.
    We drove by a sign for Sissinghurst yesterday - it made me want to visit again. But not until my foot is better! x

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  9. It's good you're enjoying your time with Bella, it will be all change soon, so enjoy it while your can.
    Beautiful cushions as always Gill, so neat and perfect.
    V x

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  10. I enjoyed the Eastbourne Air Show too, but I stayed away from the most crowded areas. Seeing the two Lancaster Bombers was my favourite experience of the day. That and my friends 'wartime' spam scones.

    Jean x

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  11. Well you already know I love your cushions and you day out looks fab! I can so relate to not blogging so much, I can't believe where time goes. xx

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  12. Beautiful cushions and lovely garden pics too!

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  13. Sissinghurst looks beautiful!!! I am glad that you have had some lovely days out and nice times together. Your cushion with the shirt back is a brilliant idea, especially for those of us with zip phobia who want something different than a plain envelope back! xx

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  14. Love your latest pretty cushions, Gill, and your vintage fabric patchwork star looks lovely! I enjoyed your pictures of Sissinghurst, it's a few years since we were there and I loved seeing that garden. The last view by the door is a favourite one of mine.
    Happy week.
    Helen xox

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  15. So many lovely pictures Gill, and that is such a clever idea to re-use the shirt in that way - you're a clever thing for sure !
    Have a great rest of week
    Kate x

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  16. Lovely to see a post from you Gill, I'm so glad you're enjoying a wonderful summer. I'm looking forward to reading your upcoming post, Sissinghurst looks stunning.
    Best wishes.

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x