Monday 17 February 2014

Cushions and Quilts

The windy, rainy, cold, weather has kept me in and as a result I have been really productive.
I made this wacky cushion from fabric scraps for my grandee's 4th birthday next weekend. It started off in a small way and was just going to be a small item to act as a birthday greeting, but I went on and on until I decided it could be a cushion for on her bed at story time. 
Her name is embroidered under the centre piece of card. There are foxes on there, cup cakes, liquorice allsorts and lots of different spots and stripes. Most importantly of all, there is a purple patch as, like me, she adores purple.
I backed it with lime green fleece, which I quilted, so it has a nice warm, cosy, side. 
A friend gave me a couple of boxes of unwanted fabric and amongst it I found a couple of the blocks below and some precut squares. It's not a colour palette I would choose, but as for the Autumn toned scarf in my previous post, I hate to waste anything, so yesterday I sewed it all together and managed to get a 5 foot square quilt top from it. It still needs backing and binding etc., but it has made quite a decent item and all for nothing!
A special friend, of one of my DDs, will be 50 next week so I made her a padded heart in lieu of a birthday card. It was made from left over small log cabin squares and I love the way it has turned out. I'm thrilled to say that she too loved it.
It is decorated with tiny buttons and lace,
and I especially love these tiny little spotty ones....
lots of dangly ribbons and charms too.
Finally, I made a Katie Morag top for a fancy dress outfit for my other Brighton grandee. It should be a knitted jumper and the one I sent to my 4 year old grandee in Germany was made from a £2 charity shop cashmere jumper, cut up and remodelled. This one I stitched up from a bargain remnant of lightweight cream fleece fabric and I saved time by machining the embroidery around the neck. It perfectly serves the purpose for fancy dress.
My DH said that she will probably end up going to school in it....... I told him that she certainly will when she dresses up as Katie Morag for World Book Day next month!!! 
I'm heading off down South for Brighton on Wednesday for a few days, as DD1 needs a bit of help whilst the Brighton Belles are on half term holiday. I'll be leaving DH to his own resources and it will be a long journey by coach (longer but cheaper by far than train) but I'll be doing some crafting, reading a magazine or two and relaxing before I get to have fun time with the Curly Girlies down there and I get to share the 4 year old's birthday party too. Woo hoo!! Cakes!
Keeping my fingers crossed for reasonable weather!

19 comments:

Glennis F said...

Oh my goodness, you have been so busy!

Annie said...

What gorgeous projects Jo. Hope you have a safe journey south and have a really fab family time. I am just back from our long weekend at Centre Parcs with all our gorgeous family....lots of magical memories made :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Hetty said...

Great gifts you made and all so bright and colorful. That materialcame to good use! Have fun in Brighton.

fairy thoughts said...

hi jo I wish I was stuck indoors able to sew like that .... love the heart, I really must make a few of those. Have agreat week in Brighton
janet

cockney blonde said...

Goodness me Jo, you're like a woman possessed. Love the cushion and I even spotted a number 4...Also loving the heart, may have to have a try at that.
Enjoy your time in Brighton, x

Redanne said...

The cushion and quilt are beautiful and the heart is just adorable! Safe journey and hope the weather is good for you. Hugs, Anne x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Goodness, you have done well! I love the first pic and the reasons behind the colours :-) and the ribbons and charms finish that heart off to a T. Gorgeous :-)
Have fun in Brighton!
Hugs, LLJ xxxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Good Grief, rain does more for you than it does for me, although I have started a hat to go with GDs scarf for when she comes up here to the caravan on Wednesday. Love the cushion - and all of your gorgeous scarves from yesterday's post! Have great time, Chrisx

Tinkertaylor said...

Every cloud has a silver lining and you certainly made good use of the bad weather. Beautiful stuff sewing a button is is a challenge for me! Enjoy your trip down south.

Lynne said...

Log cabin does it every time for me - such a versatile block. And I love what you have done with it in the heart. Lxx

Ann B said...

Lovely work Jo and that heart is beautiful. You should be in that sewing programme on the TV, Sewing Bee? You would wipe the floor with them.
Ann B

Twiglet said...

Jo - your quilty projects are fab and that heart is stunning. I am sure your little one will love her Katie jumper - great design. Hope my little parcel gets to you on time. x Jo

mamapez5 said...

A lovely cushion, especially the liquorice allsorts patch. The heart is a beautiful gift. You do have a wonderful assortment of buttons and ribbons in your stash. And I am sure the Katie Morag top will be a big hit with the birthday girl. I hope the weather is kind to you in Brighton, though I know you'll have a great time with the family whatever the weather. Kate x

Carola Bartz said...

The heart is fantastic!! Your creativity really knows no limits!
Would you mind letting me know how you did the shawlettes in the post below?

voodoo vixen said...

Love the cushion with the cute buttons ut the heart does it for me, what a fabulous thing to make with the ribbon streamers at the bottom!! Hope you have a wonderful time with the Grandees!!

Kyla said...

Wow, some fabulous quilted makes, love them.
Kyla

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You make the most beautiful projects out of scraps. I especially love that heart. Missed you for Wednesday, so came by and found you are gone. Hope you have a great time with the grandees and 4 yr old's birthday.

Lee said...

STUNNING,STUNNING,STUNNING.Hugs.xx

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

I love those quilts/quilt-tops! And don't you love how fabric can find its way to you in a palette you might never choose and it works into some simply beautiful? Like the quilt top you created ~ beautifully done!

LoVe all of your creations!