Another cushion !!!!

I am on a roll with cushions. I used fabric purchased last week from The Cowslip Studios in Launceston. The toile linen is beautiful. The lace trim is vintage and I used an old laundered bed pillow folded in half for the filling.

This is turning out to be a busy week socially. Today was the monthly W.I. Lunch. Only five of us as summer brings other calls on time in Cornwall but still a very enjoyable time was had.

We visited Birdies which has an enviable position on the edge of Hayle's RSPB Bird Sanctuary. Not many restaurants have such views. The food was delicious and locally sourced. I will be returning here to sample more of their menu.

Woof Woof

Had great fun playing around with fabrics and my sewing machine this afternoon. I couldn't resist embroidering "Woof woof" onto the cushion.

How did I do that?

I have been busy making another cushion this afternoon and as I promised a friend to explain how I make my cushions here is an online tutorial.

I pulled some fabrics and trim together and raided my scrap bag for some quilt wadding and calico for lining. Cushions are a great way to use up scraps.

Earlier in the morning whilst walking Poppy and Blue with my beloved Ray I decided the theme for the day was hearts as my own heart was so full of love for my husband and fur babies.

I am using a 14" square cushion so I cut my front fabric 16" square.

I drew some hearts of varying sizes onto double sided interfacing. I then placed the hearts onto the the wrong side of the fabric and using the iron fused it into place.

A link to a video showing how to do this and stitch them into place can be found here 

I then cut out two pieces for my cushion back.

13" x 16" and 9" x 16". With my sewing machine I overcast along one 16" edge on each piece. Using an iron I pressed a 3" single hem along the overcast 16" side on both pieces.

Placing the two pieces overlapping

They will measure 16" square.

Next I cut three pieces of quilt wadding and three pieces of calico 16" square, 10" x 16" and 6" x 16". The calico is optional, however, I like a high finish on my work and I think cushions look much nicer lined.

I fused the hearts into place on the back piece.

Place only the quilt wadding behind the front piece and the larger back piece and applique the hearts.

I used a blanket stitch with variegated thread. I then attached the trim buttons.

Place the calico (if opted for) behind the fabric and quilt wadding on all three pieces.

Stitch buttonholes into place on the smaller back piece. I used my sewing machine and buttonhole foot . A how to video tutorial can be found here.

Next make your binding. I used strips of 2.5". Here is a good video tutorial on binding.

Make your buttons. I am using 5 x 23mm self covering metal buttons. Here is a how to video tutorial. When cutting your fabric for buttons try to centre the pattern design to show to best effect.

We are ready to assemble our cushion. I have tried to show all the tools I am using.

Place the front piece face down and the bottom back piece face up.

Lay the top back piece face up overlapping the bottom back. I have matched up the pattern in the fabric.

Pin into place.  Use lots of pins - it is important to secure your fabric well as without pinning the layers will move as you stitch.

Using a quarter inch foot stitch around the four sides. Remove pins and add the binding as shown in the earlier video tutorial.

Slit open your buttonholes and sew on your buttons.

 Check your work for loose threads and then pop in your cushion filler.

When I gave this cushion to my husband he said - "but I haven't got a wooden heart" !!!!!

What do you do on a Saturday Afternoon

Make a cushion. I think this little dog is going to appear on a few more cushions.

I have just finished Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. I am so pleased that this book was published. It was painful and tender, sad and witty.  I found myself laughing aloud a few times and many times my heart going out to Scout.

Finishing the book has left me wanting to read/listen to it a few more times as I have done with Mocking Bird.

A good coming of age story sensitively written. I wish Miss Lee had written many more books.

Don't listen to the critics read it and enjoy.

Poppy and Blue thinking "not more photos Mummy!!!!"

Scrapbook magic

I have had a very enjoyable day with Annabelle and our wonderful, patient and inspiring tutor Margaret at  Scrapbook Magic. We have made a start on our mini pyramid boxes.

This project houses a mini album in the base drawer and the pyramid above opens up to reveal another pyramid which in turn has a surprise within. 

The photos show a completed pyramid. We won't be using frills and flowers on ours. I think my surprise will be needlework related.

Whilst at the workshop we saw a recipe book holder in the form of a kitchen dresser being worked on and have decided that this will be our next project.

What fun !!!!

Last week I made the cushion on the right. I loved the cushion so much that I made another one last night. It is slightly different as I didn't have quite enough of the original fabric to replicate exactly.

Time with my sewing machine

After spending time with my sewing machine earlier in the week quilting this afternoon I decided this to make a cushion for the house. 

I have based the front on a design by Jo Colvill but have constructed the cushion case so that the pillow can be removed for washing.

Catching Up

How quickly the weeks can pass by. Why as you get older does time pass more quickly?

I have been busy stitching but during the last week life seemed to be getting in the way for various reasons. It is surprising how events can change plans.

We have had two jackdaws visit us by gaining entry down a chimney - what damage they wrought !! It took us six hours to clean up the bird poo and associated mess. We are left with broken ornaments, photo frames and staining to curtains, sofas, chairs, cushions, rugs and lamp shades. Fortunately our insurance policy covers us for this damage.

The exciting event was a visit to the V & A and a meeting with some of my "pin" pals. It was meant to be for a viewing of samplers but turned into a surprise birthday celebration.

I felt so blessed to receive an amazing gift made with love, generosity and the warmth of friendship.

Krista with the support of Jo and Elaine organized this STUNNING surprise. Elaine also assembled the quilt. I had no idea whatsoever.

 They collected 48 squares with Scarlet Letter motifs... AMAZINGLY from 44 different Scarlet Letter samplers!  

It was a worldwide effort with 9 countries over 6 continents represented! Australia, Canada, France, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and in the United States, 21 different states!  

I cannot put into words how touched I was. This quilt will be treasuerd forever and I feel very emotional every time I look at it.

The surprises didn't stop there. I was blessed to receive the Betsy Davies sampler stiched and personalised by Marsha Parker the designer of the Scarlet Letter

and a lovely coffee table book showing the construction and indivdual samplers that went into the quilt put together by Krista

Krista has also made a video about the quilt and if you are interested you  can follow this link to the orginal post.

http://scarletletteryear.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-secret-scarlet-letter-quilt.html

I have been cherishing my time with Archie.  Here he is with my son and daughter-in-law.

He is fascinated with ipads and iphones, last week I Facetimed my parents so that they could chat with him and when the call was ended he played with my ipad on my lap and took this selfie

A bit too much of a close up for my wrinkles !!! He then proceeded to Facetime Debbie in Ohio - thankfully the time difference didn't make it night time. I would of been mortified to wake someone up.

We have been trying to get a walk in most days. There is always something beautiful to see.

These aren't beautiful but were something we had never seen before.

It turns out they are a fungi. 

Despite Spring having been here for a few weeks now the coastal paths have not recovered from the wind damage.

It is wonderful to have such huge expanses to explore and often at this time of year meet no-one.

I started this post with a close up of Band 4 on Ellenor Wycks. Here is an overall photo of my progress so far.

I have now switched to EK 1653 even though it is hard to leave Ellenor.

I have spent sometime with my sewing machine and have nearly finished this cute little cushion. Just the buttons to sew on now ready for Easter.

It is a design by Jo from The Cowslip Studio which is situated in Cornwall. Jo makes the most wonderful quilts. Next week Mary Berry is visiting for a cookery demonstration at The Cowslip and  I am so excited to be attending and meeting someone I have admired for many years. I have her books ready to take with me hopefully to be autographed.

Until next time ......