Flowers in the Window: July 2013

Wednesday, 31 July 2013

Anna Griffin Chinoiserie Fabrics

A parcel arrived on Monday and, before I opened it, I knew it had to be the fabrics I was expecting.

The most gorgeous cotton fabrics by Anna Griffin from the Chinoiserie Collection.

Anna Griffin Fabric Bundle

I'm sure some of you have come across them before but I hadn't actually seen them for real until I opened that parcel.

They are so beautiful with exquisite detail.

Look and enjoy......

Anna Griffin Pink Peacock Garden

Anna Griffin Pink Pavillion

Anna Griffin Pink Peonies

Anna Griffin Turquoise Pavillion

Now what to make? A quilt? Some cushion covers? It's so beautiful I don't like to cut it!!

I'm keeping some for myself to gaze at but I do have a few fat quarters to spare....if you're interested please feel free to contact me or visit my Etsy shop or ebay shop:

Daisy Patchwork on Etsy

Daisy Patchwork on ebay

See you next time!

Maggie xx

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Paisley Garden Chair Cushion and a Giveaway

I seem to have been working on my second garden chair cushion for weeks!!

You know what it's like. You cut out the fabric, then something else turns up, and it gets cleared away. You get the the fabric out again and make a bit more progress, then something else happens or you get distracted and it gets put away again! Well that's the way it's been for me making this quilted cushion.

But hooray! It's now completed!

I just love this beautiful fabric with it's large paisley pattern. It's been in my stash for a while and it's so nice to see it put to good use at last. This mix of colours just to be one of my favourites!

For some reason it turned out even shorter than my first cushion shown below ..... even though I added a few inches to the length! It's a mystery!

But I love it anyway!

So now Chris and I don't have to race each other to the roof terrace to grab the chair with a cushion as now we have two!

Now we just need lots more sunny days so we can sit out in comfort and enjoy the garden. Really enjoying my sweet peas this year.......

Spencer seems to like them too!

Cute eh?

Talking of sweet peas.....have you entered the Summer Flowers Giveaway over at Mary Jane's Tearoom?

Lots of gorgeous goodies to be won including a Cath Kidston storage bag!

Take care 'til next time.

Maggie xx

Thursday, 25 July 2013

A Cushion Cover on a Whim!

I've just made a cushion cover ..... on a whim really...

I was searching through my stash for some red and white fabrics for a customer order when I came across this gorgeous seed catalogue fabric from Lakehouse Dry Goods.....

I'd bought it a couple of years ago, as far as I can remember, and loved it then. It seemed such a special fabric that I almost didn't want to use it for anything...just keep it to look at every now and again!!

I love all the old fashioned adverts for roses and sweet peas....

So lovely and summery.....

...and this lovely illustration of a beehive....

Anyway when I found it earlier today, I kept it out of my stash ready to make something. I only had about half a yard of fabric so a cushion cover seemed a good idea. It also meant I could look at it every day!

So I made a very simple cushion cover from the one piece of fabric with an envelope back. It was very easy and quick! Ideal for an impromptu project!

Here it is!

I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It's making me very smiley!

Maybe I'll do a little tutorial.....

Thanks for popping by!

Maggie xx

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Two Rosettes for Spencer!

Yes!! Our Spencer won two rosettes on Saturday!

Chris' daughter, Hannah, and her boyfriend, Tom, were visiting us so we all took a trip down the road to the Stroud Country Show.

The weather was perfect. Sunny but with a few clouds to give a bit of relief from the heat every now and then.

There was lots to see and do for everyone.

Vintage vehicles...

Fun for the kids....

Sheep judging.....

Cattle....

I loved this bull....

Lots of stalls selling plants, jams and crafts....

Spencer's first rosette was for completing the jumps.....

The brass band played making for a wonderful atmosphere....

whilst we waited for Spencer's class in the Dog Show to begin...

We entered him for Most Handsome Dog....here's Chris chatting to the judge...

We were so proud when he won Third Place!

Spencer was also entered for the 'Dog the Judge would most like to take home' but he got very excited and jumped up at the judge so no rosettes for Spencer for this class!