Thursday, January 10, 2013

Crochet cushions and holiday musings


I learnt to crochet at a class nearly two years ago. I was a very slow learner and of course did not manage to finish the class cushion during the three sessions. By that time I decided that I did not actually like the colours I had selected and could not force myself to finish it. Then I fluffed around making bits and bobs but not really starting anything that could be termed a project. I went to Spotlight and was not overwhelmed by the wool colour options there either. Finally I found a pattern for a cushion cover that was not too holey as I didn't really want to see the cushion through the crochet and chose some colours that seemed more me.




And then it just took another year or so to finish it. The back is crocheted too, same pattern, slightly different combination of the same colours. (And somehow with about 20 extra stitches per edge). I  had no idea how to actually join it and ended up just chain stitching the sides together ( with a bit of leapfrogging over those extra stitches, hence the puckering). To be honest I'm still not totally sure about this colour combination. I think it's the egg yolk orange that is giving me pause. Although it does rather compliment the bird house. And it is actually finished, woohoo!



Meanwhile I have been letting the kids loose on the deck with the paints.





And with home made slushies. (Anything to counter these hot hot days we are having).






I stumbled across this lost art work done about  18 months ago  in prep and popped it in a frame.






And we managed a quick holiday trip to Ikea and came home with these two glorious duck egg blue velvet cushions. Velvet + duck egg blue + Ikea are three words I would never had put in a sentence but look at that for just $36 for both including the inserts. Love love love.





In other news, our plans had the engineering completed just before Christmas. Now we are just waiting on certification and unfortunately we just found out that the certifier is away until the end of the month. The builder has  seen the plans and given us the option to continue to live in the house or move out and we are completely in two minds about whether to stay or go.




And of course we are counting down the months left using our dogs breakfast of a kitchen.

17 comments:

  1. I learned to crochet almost 12 months ago and now I'm addicted to it. The yellow stripes in your cushion look 'orange' on my computer screen and to me the combination looks fab. Love your blog.

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  2. Im the same about our dogs breakfast of a bathroom , I could use a worse word for it...........we will stay, we have to, so that will be fun and games in itself.....sigh.

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  3. Keep going with the crochet! I've just got back from the yarn shop but didn't but anything, the bamboo yarn was so soft, I'll look to see if I can buy cheaper online, expensive hobbie! :) x

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  4. you finished it!...I have a heap of half done projects...hopeless! I kinda like your colours...sure better than my brown and yellow rug I started not sure what I was thinking. The duck egg blue is fab!. I was 20 mins from an IKEA...now am 3hrs :(. Oh IKEA it has been too long!!
    Id love to be in that yellow submarine!!
    Allison x

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  5. Well done Mel - just goes to show that you're never too old to learn a new skill. I have always wanted to play an instrument, so I bit the bullet the other day and bought a guitar. CRAZY I know, but I figured that when I learn how to play I can go busking down at Davies Park Markets (one way to pay off the reno!). I imagine you also bought some frames from IKEA for that great artwork. xx

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  6. Everything looks great , love your crochet and I love your bed frame....Heidi

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  7. There is nothing like a good trip to Ikea...one that is full of pleasant surprises.
    Whenever I go I stock up on frames and cushions...sometimes the cushions work and sometimes they get relegated to the guest bed.
    I love those blue velvet ones!

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  8. The day our original kitchen went, my husband took to it with a crowbar and sledgehammer with great delight. You will have to get a new patio frock for swanning around the new kitchen!

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  9. Your cushion is gorgeous and I love the colours. I am new to crochet and still in the granny squares comfort zone. I do love it though.

    Love the framed artwork and Ikea finds. We are big fans of Ikea in this house, especially the meatballs in the cafe!

    Gillian x

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  10. love those blue cushions. Need a bedroom makeover and some color in our new place its very dark and drab. Ikea too far away...time for a day trip I think

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  11. Super duper cute crochet cushion! You've got me seriously inspired to get my hook into action.
    Sophie x

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  12. I think your cushion looks fab,esp. as I've decided to delay learning crochet until at least one house is finished(ish).Love the pic with the jelly-fish-thingies, each of my kids has drawn similar creatures over the years. Looks like you're staying cool.

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  13. Woo hoo good on you for finishing your cushion, looks great Mel. I'm still struggling with a blanket I started oh about two winters ago, it's taking much longer than I ever thought it would take oh well when it cools down maybe I'll get it finished this winter;).....Slushies are the best in this weather at the moment. Keep cool this weekend it's going to be another hot one:(xx

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  14. Your crochet cushion is beautiful! Well done :) I am also loving the cushions on your bed, my girls each have one of the round petal ones in pink - i'm hoping to find a yellow one for myself.

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  15. I love the colours Mel! Very clever and better late than never I always think. I am yet to learn to crochet. Maybe this year. Maybe not. Always a joy to visit your space here.

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  16. Ooh your cushions are inspiring me! I love the crocheted one, well done. It's giving me some ideas .... And the Ikea cushions look like EXACTLY what I want for our living room sofa - thanks! Excited for you that your renovation is coming up!

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  17. Homemade slushies, those smiles... Gorgeous. Loving the duck egg blue cushions too! They go very well with the white cushions. :)
    Bella xx

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