Roses Patchwork Cushions

I've been attempting to use some of my fabric stash and came up with making these simple patchwork cushions.

Take tapestry roses from the charity shop....

                Add some fabric scraps and hey presto!  

You have a couple of cushions in a couple of hours!

Cushion Cover Finished

 I've been working on this cushion cover, on and off, for a couple of months and I've finally completed it.  I thought I'd show you, stage by stage, how I did it.

 Firstly the inspiration came from my friend Helen who drew and then screen printed this gorgeous face and script onto a piece of cotton.  I'd seen it and asked if she had any spare if I could have one to embroider and make into a cushion.  Isn't she clever, I couldn't draw that in a month of Sundays.  Then as I was taking a batik class and had been experimenting with lace as a stencil to two ideas came together and I got to work.

 I stretched the piece on a frame and used a vintage piece of lace from an antimacassar (it may have been my Grandma's but as I collect this type of lace anyways I can't remember) as a stencil for the beeswax, and 'framed' the image on two sides.

 I was very concerned not to get the dye on the face and yet I wanted to have a crackle effect over the script to the left.  This called for some serious, careful scrunching of the wax!

 I first painted over the dye (Dylon Burlesque Red) but was happy with the light results, I wanted a stronger, deeper colour.  So I ended up immersing the whole piece in the dye bowl.

 Then, obviously I couldn't waste the dye so other batik lace pieces went in together with scraps from my stash.  I love dying all different fabrics and trims in the same pot as they all take up the colour slightly differently and I have lots of pieces to then use to embellish a piece and they automatically 'match' the main piece.

 Here it was, all dried and the wax taken out by ironing and washing.

 Now came the auditioning and patchworking of pieces to enhance the main piece

 Maybe this....

Or this?....

 When I'd settled on an arrangement, and sewn the main pieces together with my trusty machine, (or I'm liable to keep changing things and not getting on, lol), I began embroidering.

 I used simple back stitch to enhance the hair and a kind of satin stitch and couching on the lips.

 The crocheted piece was dyed with tea to give it a more vintage look and couched down into place

 

 Now I all I have to decide is where to use it! 

 And try to keep the cats off of it!

 The back I kept deliberately simple, just two offcuts of co-ordinating fabric and an envelope finish.

I've really enjoyed working on this and now have to find another project to take my interest, sure another project will present itself soon.  Maybe if I use a vintage photo as the focal point and do something similar......

An Award and lots of Piccys

I've been given an award by the lovely LaaLaa at Hookin' with LaaLaa She is a lovely lady with a super blog. I just love her crochet and patchworks and her little chats, why not pop over and pay her a visit. Thank you so much LaaLaa.

Now apparently as a receipent of this award I have to disclose 7 interesting facts about myself and nominate 5 of my fellow bloggers as being worthy of an award!

So here goes, after careful, well almost careful consideration, deliberation and desperation here we go (apologies if this is not exciting but hay oh, here we go)


1. I love cats, shocker I know, you never could have guessed this one, lol. Here is Merlin in moody repose. I put it all down to having a cat wallpaper for the first few years of my life, the die was cast. If I won the lottery the first thing I'd do would be to set up a cat shelter.



2. Apparently, according to friends, I have a cushion fetish. Never noticed this in myself but on counting up I do have 30 spread all over the house and 18 in the lounge itself. I've always lived by the phrase, you can never have too many cushions! Is this not what everyone does?!


3. Now I know I'm alittle bit unusual in this pursuit - I love old cemetaries and graveyards - but I know I'm not alone, it's just we're not easy to spot in our everyday lifes but visit a cemetary.... I love the old statues, angels, the symbolism and the human history and stories on the gravestones. They are normally peaceful and serene, and if tattered and overgrown around the edges I love them even more :)



4. Whilst I hate horror movies and books I just love vampires. Can't quite define why but there you go. I love watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Gary Oldman in Dracula and more recently Bill Compton in True Blood (my young cat is named after him because he bites)! I love the True Blood novels by Charlaine Harris so much that I ration myself and have not let myself read them one after the other, they are so much better than the series.

5. No not cats again but charity shops (thrift stores I think in the States)? I love going in them. You never know what treasures you'll find such as the above book on this weeks trawl of the shops near me. It's the thrill of the hunt, the pounce on the treasure and the taking to the cash desk and running away home to gloat over the hoard, or not, and think maybe next time......



6. I'm rather partial to a big cup of tea, but it has to be black and it has to be hot. My favourite teas are Assam, English Breakfast and Lapsang Souchong.



7. Are you still with me? I love christmas. I love the cards, the presents, the decorations and the all round loveliness and goodwill of the season. Here are a selection of cards I've saved from other years that I hope to incorporate into a christmas journal.

Phew, this must be my longest post by far. Now I would like to give this award to the following bloggers. It has been a difficult choice and apologies if it is not you, I love all the blogs I read but there can only be five nominees, so without further ado -

Ta da!

1. Amanda at Amanda Makes A lovely lady who sews and crochets the most delightful things
2. Kazzy at A Mermaids Purse who does the most amazing illustrations and has a wonderful eye for charity shop treasures and shabby chic decorating. She has the most relaxing music on her blog as well!
3. Gill at Bois-Fleurie who is so creative and clever with a needle.
4. Toos at Chaotic & Creative. Not sure about the chaotic but creative definately. I've had the pleasure of doing some group swaps with Toos.
5. Karen at Tilly Rose a veritable feast for the eyes, wonderful photos and delightful words.

Ok, off to watch last night's True Blood with a cat on my knee and a cup of tea in my hand!