Friday 6 June 2008

"Wish you were here"



I made these a couple of months ago and was meaning to post about them but they sold before I got round to it. I then meant to make some more so I could show you but somehow along the way I got sidetracked.



Finally today I finished another couple of bundles of them to show.



They're made from vintage linen and are my attempt at mini postcard pillows. You all know how much I love old postcards and my love for the countryside and being by the sea, well I decided to put all those things together and came up with these.



I loved reading all your comments on our recent walk and wanted to create something that in some way captured some of those scenes, all these are of course images of a bygone age, more "Darling Buds of May" than "The Ragged Roses May ramble"
and much the nicer for it! I've put them in my etsy shop if you'd like to take a look.



I even managed to make myself a set to put in the bathroom.



It's been a funny old week, the girls have gone back to school and are really tired - Big Sister told me last night that she needed a holiday!



I know what she means though, she said she was feeling claustrophobic, and I understand that feeling when the sun is shining and you really just want to be free to enjoy it.



Free to go on long country walks, free to sit on a beach and hear the sea, feel the sand or just read a book. For Big Sister, free to run across the Downs with your arms outstretched, Ipod on and be alone with your thoughts.



I bought this book as a birthday present for a friend recently - The Fortnight in September by R C Sherriff. Has anybody read it? I'd be interested to hear what you think. I was so drawn to its subject and toying with the idea of getting a copy to read if and when I get to the mountain of books by my bed. Written in 1931 it tells the story of an ordinary family's fortnight holiday in Bognor Regis on the Sussex Coast.



Of course I'm interested in finding out how much seaside holidays have changed but in a way it's the domestic details that appeal and above all the hope that we all set by our holidays, the desire to escape just for a little while.

I'm not sure if the Ragged Roses will be going on holiday this year but I'm determined to make the most of any good weather that comes our way and I'm lucky to be living in a place that offers me both beautiful countryside and the sound of the sea.



Hope you all have a lovely weekend, we're off Springwatching!

34 comments:

Attic Clutter said...

Kimx oh those little pillows are so cute.. they are just the thing to take your mind away --on a fun vacation--(:) Hope you sell lots
... Glad you came by ``2 cats oh perfect..hugs Patty

Anonymous said...

Your pillows are adorable, Kim! I love the seaside even though I live quite a distance from any ocean and don't often get there. Have a wonderful weekend!
xo,
Lynda

Sal said...

Gorgeous, Kim! I love the fabric.
Sal;-)

driftwood said...

they are just gorgeous Kim! and remind me of hot summers as a child, and trips to the sea when it felt like the summers would last forever!

Elizabethd said...

Very pretty Kim, they make me feel homesick for Cornwall!

Thimbleanna said...

Those are adorable Kim and I'm so happy that you made a few for yourself! Now, you must tell me what Springwatching is! I'm guessing it doesn't involve bacon and mashed potatoes {wink}{wink}!

claire Maraldo said...

Ooo-those cushions are so sweet!

You've put me in a holiday mood!

Anonymous said...

I love those pillows and the ribbon bows on them are perfectly places :o) very pretty!

P. said...

They look wonderful!

silverpebble said...

Ooh, such gorgeous cushions - and your tongue and groove and painted floorboards look pretty lovely too. Off to look at Etsy...

Emma

Louise said...

I really like the mini postcard pillows Kim. You have come up with a really good idea with these. Sussex is a lovely place to live and we are so fortunate to have the countryside and the seaside on our doorstep. Today is a perfect day for Springwatching, sunny with a really lovely warm breeze. Perfick as old Pop Larkin would say! Have a lovely weekend all of you. x

carolyn said...

Wonderful pillows, those fabrics are just gorgeous. Raining here again today and Springwatch seems to be going on in our garden with so many birds.

Simone said...

There are some great images on your postcard pillows. They really do remind me of a bygone era.

Samantha said...

Lovely - they are charming. I am sure they will sell PDQ!

x

Heidi said...

Happy Saturday Kim, Loved today's blog!!! Your pillows are just charmingly "Summertime"...Love hearing your thoughts on life!...Enjoy the weekend!...Heidi :)

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Lovely pillows, Kim! Thank you so much for your comment on my blog today (I've decided not to publish today's comments, as they are coming from my closest blog friends and are very sincere, for which I thank everyone)! I'll still be here, just not blogging as much... but I'll CERTAINLY still be buying on etsy, as that's a habit that's hard to break! =)

Unknown said...

Those pillows are really clever! PS. your link to your etsy shop is a bit wonky - although I think they shall be all sold in an instant!

Shirl said...

Beautiful - they wistfully remind me of the Cornwall of my childhood.

Tracy said...

Those are really sweet, Kim...I love the nostalgic look! Happy weekend ((HUGS))

kathyann said...

Kim,Just trying to catch up with everyone its taking me so long I want to leave a comment for everyone!Your little pillows are gorgeous,I love the seaside theme,so summery!We have been Springwatching too!!!
Beth is doing her last GCSE exam on Wednesday(Science)so she had a sleepover at a friends on Friday and then its the last of the revising,Mon/Tues! Does big sister finish this week!!!
Our girls are growing up so fast,its college next!!!
Love from Kathy and the girls

Pondside said...

Very sweet little postcard pillows!
Thanks for mentionning the book - I'm always on the lookout for new recommendations and this looks like a good bedtime or soaking-in-the-bathtub read!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

There is something terribly nostalgic about your charming vintage pillows.. they remind me so much of Cornwall and idyllic holidays there..

I hope you had a fabulous day out in the Sussex sun ..

Love
Michelexx

Anonymous said...

Lovely cushions, we are quite lucky to live close to the sea but don't take enough advantage of it
Lisa x

Carol said...

Hi Kim, they are lovely cushions..the material is great! all those books look good too...I love a pile of books, and like you have my own little pile by the bed, so much to do and so little time to fit it all in!!! By the end of the day when I get into bed I only manage 2 or 3 pages ! I fall asleep still holding the book most nights!
Carol xx

meggie said...

Lovely fabric, & a lovely use for it.

Heidi said...

Once again you share such a wonderful book Kim and I am off hunting a copy of The Countryside Companion. You pillows are just wonderful in how they continue a scene. I know they will be well loved when they are at their destination.

You are very fortunate in living where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. I think Springwatching is a great idea. By the way, I enjoy the show in the evenings and believe this is the last week. We have something similar each Sunday morning on the radio which we enjoy listening to. I also love the old fashioned idea of listening to the radio as I have moments that I just don't want the TV on.

Happy Monday and make it an inspiring start to your week!

Hugs ~
Heidi

mountainear said...

What fantastic fabric - it seems to depict a lost and golden age. Perfect for your pillows - I rather wish I had a beach hut or a summer house to show them off in.....ah well, a girl can dream!

Gill said...

Lovely cushions Kim, I'm sure they'll be snapped up. The book you mentioned is on my wish list, it sounds like a good read, I love the domestic details in a book.
My daughter is midway through GCSEs, two more to go next week, she's counting the days now and then freedom for the summer...I'm not putting any pressure on her to find work, I just want her to enjoy her last summer of freedom. You must feel like you're always on holiday, living so close to the sea...I'm sure you'll have a wonderful summer, home or away.
Gill x

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Post card pillows! What a wonderful idea! They turned out beautifully too.

Nonnie said...

Lovely lovely pillows. The one I bought from you is being put to very good use and it smells absolutely gorgeous. I really like the sound of that book. I've just finished reading 'I Capture the Castle'. I loved it! Didn't want it to end actually and could almost pick it up and start reading it all over again. I need to find another book that's as good to make my commute go quicker.

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Kim, these are lovely, what a great fabric.
Lucy x

Garden Girl said...

beautiful pillows Kim, you do have some great ideas-are they lavender filled? I was weeding my herb garden last night and thought of you when I got to the lavender!
The sun is shining here today, hope it is where you folks are as well x

Kristy said...

I do like those pillows.I love those old souvenier tablecloths (I think that's what the fabric is?) I might be back to buy a set but I have set myself a wait and see rule for new purchases.I have had too many impulse buys recently!

Hen said...

I bought that Countryside Companion book a few weeks ago just because I liked it and now I see yours and it has a dust jacket, too!

All the best
Hen