Thursday 15 May 2008

Pillow Talk



Where has this week gone, it must have melted in the sun. I've been playing house this week, washing, cleaning, painting and sewing. Truth be told all I really wanted to do was go out and play. With the sun streaming through the windows I felt the urge to clean and promised myself the reward of sewing at the end of it. Line after line of washing on the line, I knew it had to stop when nearing the end of my spring clean I decided to shove Little Sister's bedroom rug in with the wash. The result a pristine, clean smelling floor covering and matching pink school uniform! Little Sister was amused, Big Sister wasn't.



Our afternoons have been spent playing boardgames at the end of the garden nearest the house. Right up until the beginning of the week we sat on the lawn playing games but the old ash tree has suddenly sprung to life and cast its shade. Nature doesn't hang around does it, those leaves appeared from nowhere. I'm taking comfort from the fact that it's happened so late this year, hopefully a sign that the seasons are running their true course.



So out on the suntrap of a patio we sat and sweltered!



My sewing reward was not as I intended. Hoping to make some new things for my Etsy shop I sat and stared at the sewing machine. Nothing. Sat a bit longer, still nothing. No ideas, no inspiration, I just sat staring at the kitchen chairs and the slightly grubby cushions. Tempted to wash them but choosing not to and desperately wanting to sew. I came up with these cushions for the chair, using fabric I'd already used downstairs.
They brighten up the kitchen and sit like sirens waiting for the cereal, tomato sauce, milk, butter stains that are bound to come there way!



I made another little cushion for a Lloyd Loom chair.



Do you remember this old french fabric that I used to cover my junk shop steps? It's such a pretty pattern I really wanted some more of it around the house.



And finally for the bedroom I made a large cushion from a scrap of Laura Ashley fabric that I had used to cover a chair in there. So that's it, a week of huffing, puffing and stuffing and now I'm free to go out and play it's raining! oh yes indeedy, that's right! Rain, and a lot of it!! IT drenched my darling daughter right through and through. Sad times. eh?
Reader, in case you think I have taken leave of my senses, my blog has been hijacked by Big Sister who wrote the last few sentences whilst I popped into the kitchen to check the pasta. You know it's been one of those weeks when you can't even finish your own blog post! Payback for pink uniform methinks.

35 comments:

Simone said...

I think Big Sister may need a blog of her own one day! You have had a very productive week. I've mostly sat and contemplated. I think I am more productive when it's dull and rainy!

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Loving your hard work on all of the pretty pillows.
I laughed out loud at the school uniform, because today I managed to turn all of my white tea towels murky pink!

Heidi said...

Hello Kim! I have really missed my visits with you. My mother is gone and the online friends shortly after her. They all left on the same day but some morning and some evening. I am now catching up with my blogging friends. I stopped my pain medication and now have a bad attack with a few days of rest should help. It was fun but very exhausting. I am glad to be back and get back into my normal routine.

Hugs ~
Heidi

Louise said...

Lovely makes Kim, I so wish I had your talent for needlework and sewing, but alas I don't. It's a struggle for me to sew on a button! Today being such miserable weather my kitchen cupboards had a birthday treat, and the car got an MOT! I am hoping to do something a little more exciting tomorrow? x

Rubyred said...

Love the cushions Kim,you have been a busy little bee!I did a lot of sewing yesterday,in fact til 1.15 am,I must be mad!

periwinkle said...

The uniform did make me laugh, lovely pillows. Thank you for offering the stamps for Milo too
Lisa x

Berber said...

The cushions are lovely!
I must makes some of my own!

julia said...

If all else fails make cushions! When my creative juices have dried up I always turn to cushions, they're so quick, easy and rewarding. Yours look fab, and the pink uniform sounds a treat!
Julia xx

dottycookie said...

You have been busy - phew. Big Sister's sentences made me laugh a lot!

meggie said...

I cant seem to stop sitting staring into space, punctuated by deep sighs. I am told this is quite a typical reaction to grief. I have still not had my cleansing cry, & so I guess it is pentup sadness.
I love that cushion cover,-the bed cushion- just my kind of Roses!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Revenge is sweet and ....pink it seems!
Funny you should mention washing a bedroom rug.. my darling child has a union jack ragged rug in his room that badly needs to meet some soap and water. I have ummed and ahhed about washing it in the machine as the red stripe is sure to run, and run!
I might risk it but not with the boys white shirts or darling child's cricket whites.. I will never hear the end of it!
Your sewing is inspired Kim and yet more proof that you live in a veritable vintage palace..

Mxx

The Fairy Glade said...

Hi Kim, so love the Laura Ashley cushion. This might sound silly, but is it as simple as sewing a back and front together? What do you use to close then up..do you insert a zip?? Devx

Curlew Country said...

Pink uniform - fantastic. I adore the new kitchen cushion covers, what beautiful fabric and the peek at your delighful curtain fabric too. How I wish for more florals in my home but I find it so hard to find large pieces of pretty bargain fabric.
Love the pelargoniums in the basket and the old sieve, what a lovely scene
Have a great weekend.
Steph

Tracy said...

Hi, Kim! Love those pretty pillows...your photos are always so lovely. These area dreamy days, aren't they...sun shining, birdsong, flowers unfolding--a lot of distractions--LOL! Happy weekend to you & yours ((HUGS))

mollycupcakes said...

Gorgeous cushion covers Kim and how lovely to be able to sit out in your garden.
I'm sure all is forgiven over the pink uniform, I would of given my right for a pink school uniform when I was at school lol
This flaming rain is just not on. It's making our Spring colds feel even worse. Thanks for your post with all the fab photos of the sun. That really cheered us all up.
Hugs.

Catherine x

Elizabethd said...

I love your fabrics, especially the Laura Ashley. I often hunt round our markets and antique shops for scraps of French linen and embroidery.

Samantha said...

Kim,
you are too hard on yourself. Look at those lovely cushions. You have been productive!

x

Unknown said...

You have been busy, I love the material for the cushions. Have turned a couple of my sons PE kit pink.... they were not amused as you can imagine!

Rosiex

Jennie said...

The pillows are gorgeous.
I'm sure the uniform looked lovely! I turned all my white tea towels a nice orange shade the other day by putting an orange coloured tea towel in the wash with them!
Sorry for the delay with your PIF, I've explained a bit on my blog!!

Twiggy said...

Love the pillows so pretty, well done for being so industrious, I just can't seem to gather the energy to clean, but like you have had a bit of a washing frenzy recently. The only problem is now I'll need to have an ironing frenzy too - boo !!
Twiggy x

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Oh my Kim! You just gave me a devilish idea! Wouldn't it be too funny if we all had our children write a blog post for us all on the same day?! Can you imagine the fun we would all have reading each other's blogs! =)

We are supposed to have rain here this weekend, too. We haven't had any high temperatures yet; it's actually been quite cool. I can't complain really, as once it gets hot here, it stays humid throughout most of the summer.

Have a lovely weekend! =)

Betty said...

I had to giggle at the blog hijacking! Your cushions did turn out beautiful though!

P. said...

Ah, playing house! One of the best things in life!

ginny said...

Hi Kim,
All that sewing ... in an afternoon? You have had a very productive week methinks. I am desperate to get my sewing machine out but our house is full of stuff due to the workspace renovation... i did wash my chair seat pads this week though too... still need to finish a few minor repairs as a few of the ties have come loose due to my girls standing and swiveling around on them. Does that happen to you?
Playing board games on the lawn...sounds lovely...hope it was accompanied by some freshly made lemonade... your life sounds so lovely.
Have a lovely weekend.
ginny xx

Naturegirl said...

Love love the rose patterned cushions! Oh how I love them! Enjoy your garden! :) NG

pinkgreen said...

Love your cushions, especially the one with the vintage French fabric - really pretty. My girls would love a pink uniform, and are hoping that their burgundy cardigans fade to pink soon! Btw, I was reading your old posts and saw your daughter reading in the apple tree. Can I ask, where did you get her owl t shirt from? Grace would love one (she is owl obsessed!).
Cathy XX

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I am loving all your beautiful cushions - such pretty fabric you use!

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Lovely lovely cushion, and am loving all the gorgeous photos you've been taking of your outdoors.

kari and kijsa said...

Lovely!! Beautiful!! Have a fabulous weekend!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

jo said...

Lovely cushions and we too had rain, just when hubby was trying to paint the window frames outside!

French Knots said...

Sounds like your house is all bright and sparkly now - mine is in need of some tcl!
I think all school uniforms should be pink....well perhaps not for boys!!

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Kim - what a busy little bee you have been! Your cushions are fab - love that pink LA fabric. I recently bought some of it too - you won't tell anyone will you (?) - I normally only ever buy vintage!! Honest!

Hope the pink uniform goes down well at school tomorrow! ;-))
Niki x

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

What a productive week...Mmmmm the rug...well!!!The fabrics are just beautiful and now you can get into the sun trap and enjoy a breather from all your hard work...

K said...

Once, when I was an au pair, the grandmother of the family came to visit and helpfully put on a load of coloured laundry, including a pair of red socks and a new, very expensive child-size Scotland rugby shirt with a white collar.

You can see where this is going, can't you?

I was glad it wasn't me that did it, but it is very hard to bleach just the collar of an otherwise navy garment...

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

I just love your new kitchen chair cushions! And your darling, drenched daughter. Both lovely.