Pintuck pillows and what we put into handmade objects

-

I have a bookmark folder named “craft tutes to try”. It contains exactly that. And admittedly it is ever-growing. It almost took a life of its own, so much so that I had to subdivide it by crafts : paper craft, sewing, patchwork, crochet, etc. Just writing about it, my heart goes just a little faster. Sigh. Crafty goodness and possibilities all over the place !

So when my sweet mum got tired of her old, sad, forest green pillows, I knew I had just the right project on hand to free her couch from these floppy things nobody in the house dared to call pillows any more (just a little bit of drama thrown in for good measure).

To my (and the couch) rescue, came the talented Ellen of The Long Thread and her great pintuck pillow project. I unearthed some home decor fabric purchased a couple of years back…just because it was pretty (I do that sometimes, yes), and followed the well written instructions. Being a beginner at anything sewing, I was curious to see if I could come out with a decent result, and I think I did pretty well. It’s far from perfect, but I’m still happy with them ! Thank you Ellen !

-

-

I did one pillow exactly as suggested, and for the other one, I put more and more space between the pintucks, resulting in a slight gradation.

I sewed these pillows just a few days before leaving home and going back to Japan (I arrived a few days ago, still enjoying the jet lag induced  fuzziness). The last days home are always filled with mixed feelings. Somewhat happy to go back to my other home, but so very sad to leave my family and friends behind. Especially my mum, because I know her life is not so easy. So among others things, I made pillows for her. I hugged, cooked, talked, and made pillows. Because I thought it might cheer her up when she looks at them. Because they’re not store bought pillows, but handmade pillows, that I took the time to make especially for her, her couch, her living room. To bring just a little bonus hint of happiness. For me, that’s what the pillows, and handmade in general, is about. I do believe these objects we make with our hands, especially for those we love, have this very special added value. Something that says : I did it for you, because I think of you and you’re well worth the time and the effort, because you’re that special to me.

So, I’m going to stop there before I start crying in front of my computer screen , but these are my thoughts.  What about you ? What do you put in your handmade objects ?

-

Thoughtful Friday – Joyous

-

-

” The aim of life is to live,

and to live means to be aware,

joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware “

-

Henry Miller ~

-

-

… and finding beauty at every corner,

finding joy in every possible nook and cranny,

choosing to look at these forgotten spots,

filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered.

-

Words of 2010

-

I really like the idea of choosing a word for the year, to set up the mood, the direction, the main theme of it. But I never can settle for just one word to sum up my hopes for the new year. I usually gather a group of words, some sort of guideline really of what I would like my new year to be. It is always full of hopeful anticipation, and a process that allows me to reflect on the previous year.

-

--

I did these little numbers on Wordle (love !), and I’m going to print them on thick textured paper to place in front of my desk. Just where I can see them when I slip away from what I really want.

-

–

P.S. : it seems that today’s images don’t want to show up nicely the way they’re supposed to…They do appear if you click on them though…strange. Problem solved !

Some more about wordle back here !

-

Simple beaded present : seed beads bracelet

-

My first beading this year is a present for one of my cousin. I have to admit I lacked a bit of inspiration and imagination when I first decided to sit down with this project, but I did have fun choosing the colors and that’s what kept me rolling !

My original plan was to make this beaded bracelet. A pattern called Fordan, provided by Mu, a much talented, prolific and generous french beaded. If you don’t know her yet, go pay her blog a visit, you’ll have dozens of pretty patterns and ideas to browse through. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

I ended up changing the beading path just a bit, and finally stopped before the last two rows. The result is a more classic, slightly less wide, less decorated bracelet. Exactly what I had in mind for the recipient (Hi G. !).

-

-

Talking about beading, I would like to start working on a group of pieces to…maybe…finally setting up a little shop. Probably on Etsy. I’ve been thinking and dreaming about it for a couple of years now. The idea itself completely overwhelms me, but still hasn’t left my mind or my heart. It’s really something I’d like to give a try one day, so why not try and start working on it now ?

I’m thinking clean lines, simple and modern pieces, pretty colors with an accent, a bit of texture. Versatile pieces. Pretty much the type of jewelry, especially beaded jewelry, that I love and am passionate about !

We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted.  But in the meantime, if you have some advice about this particular endeavor, maybe because you’re doing it yourself or would like to do it or have tried at some point, or just because you’re in an advice kind of mood, feel very very free to leave a comment, drop a line, send an e-mail. I’ll be more than happy to read your messages !

-

Beautiful day to you all !

-

Thoughtful Friday 2010 – 1

-

I thought it would be nice to bring Thoughtful Friday back.

I like gathering quotes. I like the way they make their way in my own thoughts until full absorption. I really like how my views can sometimes be a bit shaken by it.

I found this one a long time ago, it kept coming back to me. Probably because it is something  I find so true and yet really struggle applying to my own days. I’m often stuck in what happened before or what I would like to do “once (something else) is done”. The truth is that what is done and gone is exactly that : done and gone. There is nothing about it except us, richer from whatever experience it was. As for what is yet to be, well, everything begins this day, this moment.

Cheers to this day, to every new day !

-

-

“ Each morning we are born again.

What we do today is what matters most ”

–

Buddha

-