Roses, Maybelle Flowers, And Pillows

Hey there.   I have been a busy bee lately.  Working in the yards a lot.  Crocheting a lot.  Reading a good book.  And doing a bit of sewing too.   What shall I start with?  How about pillows.  Yesterday I popped into Joann's to have a look-see.  All of their decorator sample squares were on sale for half off.  Which means a dollar a piece.  They had tons!  I love to buy these pretty fabrics, and use them in all sorts of ways.  They are 18 inches square, and have finished edges.  Which  makes them perfect for things like lining a pretty basket.  I have used them to add pretty trim to towels.  Make zip up cosmetic bags.  And a favorite, is pillows.  I try to find two coordinating squares to use.  This time I bought two fabrics in Sun Brella fabric for a patio pillow.  Such a fun and vibrant print. 

I also purchased two yards of this dark green ball fringe to edge the pillow with.  I used my 50% off coupon for the 2 yard cut, paying 3.75 for the trim.  Making the total cost of the pillow 5.75!  I used fiberfill to stuff the pillow.  I buy it by the box, in huge amounts, and had some left from my Christmas pillows.  This is by far and away the most cost effective way to make pillows using these squares.  I almost NEVER buy pillow forms.  They are ridiculously expensive.  I just recycle my throw pillows, and make new covers, envelope style. This way they can be washed, ironed and put right back on. 
The back of this patio pillow is a fun lime green.

It will look smashing on my yellow wicker settee by the pool too!!!
The second pillow I made today was out of this great French Country Toile.  Chickens....who could pass that up?  Certainly not me!  

These are my colors, and although I photographed it in my kitchen, I put it on the sofa in the living room.

I happened to have exactly the right color of trim, in exactly the right length for this pillow.  Actually, it was cut into two one yard cuts, and I pieced it together to work.  The back is a small red check. 

I had fun making these.  I have not done much sewing lately.  I miss it.  I have also been busy helping my daughter with the decorations for her son, my grandson, Noah's upcoming birthday party this weekend.  He wanted a Mario theme, and Erika has done a great job getting it all together.  She bought these red baseball caps for she and Noah to wear.  I made the Mario emblem for the front.

The rest I will have to show you after the party.   So cute!  She has worked hard on it. 
This morning when I was out doing my chicken feeding and garden watering rounds, I was noticing  how gorgeous my Dad's roses were!  I love red and yellow together, and these two rose bushes planted side by side are putting on quite a show.  I had to clip some and bring them in to enjoy. 

And a few for my kitchen window sill.

For fun I put some on my bright yellow vintage stool I have in the kitchen.  Set it against my new spring green door. 

For me, it really is the little things.  Things like enjoying these flowers.  An ever lasting gift from my Dad.  He planted them, at their home.  I removed them, and planted them at our home.  For nine years, I have brought them to the cemetery.   Every Spring when they bloom, I smile.  
I have been obsessed with making crochet flowers lately.  Piles of them.  I just love these dainty little Maybelle flowers.

All of the ones in the outer heart shape, are made with the leftover yarn I had from making my Jubilee afghan.  The yarn was purchased from England when they ran a no shipping special.  It is DK and so soft and yummy.  I have been on the hunt for some comparable yarn in similar colors to continue making them.  I have found some of the colors that work, but it is worsted weight.  I made a few, and from the photo, you really can't tell the difference.  But they are heavier, and slightly bigger.

The five in the center are made with the worsted weight yarn.  I don't think I can use them for what I had in mind for these flowers.  I think I will put an order in from more of the same yarn, in DK so they will all be the same.  And what I have in mind for all of these, is a summer flower shawl. 
If you would like to make some of these fun flowers, go back a couple posts on my blog, and you will find the link to where I found these.   But I am warning  you.....you won't be able to stop!!!!
I leave you today with a little funny.
Yesterday I was walking through the family room, and noticed that Noah's scissors were laying on the floor next to my thrifted afghan that we all love so much.  He likes to bundle my blankets up on the floor, building a make shift track for his monster trucks and cars.  He forms hills, bumps, and jumps, playing for hours.  At first I didn't  think too much of the scissors on the floor, but then I got suspicious.  I said to him, "Noah, why did you have  your scissors out here in the family room?"   He innocently replied,
"Oh, because Grandma, one of my monster trucks got stuck in the blanket and I had to cut it out!"  I tried my best to hide my gasp, and said, "Show Grandma where you cut it!!!"    And then I explained to him, that we never, ever, cut the  yarn in an afghan, or it will unravel!!!!!  He had no idea...and he was so cute, I couldn't be mad.  I will fix it. 

Funny how we have so much more tolerance as grandparents, than we did as young parents.  Thirty years ago, I probably would not have been so amused!
Tomorrow I have a friend and co worker of my husband's coming over to ask me some questions about keeping chickens.  He and his wife recently bought a 2 acre property near the wineries in Temecula. They want to start raising chickens.  I need to make a run to the feed store in the morning for more feed and hay.  I will see if they have the breeds of chicks I am wanting.   Who knows...I may be coming home with more little fuzz balls to add to my flock.  I will keep you posted.
XO  Kris