Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A cushion, flowers and things to be painted white

Hi, just a quick note from me today while I eat a late lunch and wait for the white paint to dry on a hall table I'm painting for a friend.  Autumn has finally arrived in Sydney and it's cool, drizzly and grey. Not that we can complain, as it's been a long summer here in beautiful Australia.  I'm sure there'll be plenty more blue skies before winter arrives.


There are lots of lilies at our local farmers markets at the moment. The scent makes my head spin until I pull off the stamens and then I can admire their bold beauty.  I have rescued a few blooms from a dying bunch and they now sit in a small ginger vase by our front door.


I've been sewing a few cushions lately - this pink one was one of my donations for a school fundraiser. I used a lovely pale pink velvet for the back and the ruffle and some bold floral material that I had originally bought a few years ago to make some fun pants for my girl (which I never got around to and it's sat in my fabric stash).  These sorts of cushions are fairly easy to make - they are an envelope design and need no buttons or zipper. I will write a blog post the next time I make one. I think you would only need to be a novice seamstress to be able to make one. When I say easy I mean they would be easy if you could remember where you've put your pin cushion when you sew it and don't have to hold it all together with your fingers as you are sewing (I've got to learn to put things away properly).


This is the hall table I'm painting white for my lovely friend, Rachel. It's coming up a treat. Nothing like white paint to make something beautiful!

I'm off to grab a coffee before school pick up and attend parent - teacher interviews. 

Have a great afternoon

Fiona xx


14 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see the finished product. It will look fantastic I'm sure.

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    1. it's looking good, I hope my friend will be happy with it. I should be able to post about it tomorrow.
      thanks Polly
      Fiona xx

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  2. that cushion is so pretty. The fabric combo and design is perfect!

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    1. thanks Von, a friend gave me metrs of the pink velvet and i've been meaning to make one of these ruffle cushions with it for a while. so pleased with how it turned out.

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  3. I have a hall table just like that (perhaps a wee bit smaller) and I'm dying to paint it! White or something marvellous - so many colours, so little time! Also, I will remember that hint about removing the stamens hence removing the smell! I never buy those lilies because of the smell - so now I know what to do!!!

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    1. hi Petre - this isnt very big - perhaps just the angle i've taken the photo from. My friend Rachel has been wanting to paint it and in the end asked me to do it. I agree about the colours - so many, so little time! LOL. I think this would also look fabulous in peacock blue or aqua. a real statement.
      yes pulling out the stamens on lilies definitely makes them bearable.
      cheers Fiona

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    2. I've painted it "putty" but left the top and bottom "shelf" timber and I am amazed at the transformation. (I did it today - you inspired me!). Can't wait to see yours!

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  4. Such beautiful photos Fiona, thanks for brightening my day. The cushion is gorgeous. How nice of you to donate it. Someone's going to be happy.
    I am looking forward to seeing the reveal of your furniture painting. I love coming to your blog for my daily inspiration.
    thanks
    Julia

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  5. Hi Fiona, I'm your newest follower. So glad to have found your blog. What beautiful projects you have and congrats on the magazine feature.
    Love these flowers
    Kim

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  6. so productive - how do you fit it all in!
    The cushion is so pretty. Perfect for a little girl's room.
    thanks for sharing that about the stamens - good to know as I also find them overpowering.

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  7. Since following your blog I have started looking at furniture with new eyes-paint is amazing!

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    1. thanks Sweetness, that is so good to hear! glad to have inspired you! ,Paint is definitely amazing.

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  8. Hope the hall table doesn't bleed. How do you find using the shellac as a blocker? Kylie x

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    1. hi Kylie, two coats of Zinsser BIN stopped the bleeding on this one. i'll blog about it later today.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com