Updating Our Cushions

We've had the same cushions forever and since our style is changing, i thought it was about time i made some updates with them. We also are changing our basement to make it more of a fun and cohesive family play area, so i thought more playful pillows were in order. Since i can't afford all the design visions in my head, updating our look with simple pillows is a nice touch, and step in the right direction.

I recently splurged on an abundant new stash of fabrics at my favourite local fabric store, The Workroom. Some was for me, but mos was for Lil C. I love bird, butterfly, and leaf fabric, from the Echino line especially. I bought enough to also make a skirt for myself. I got to use the simple A-line pattern from the great Built By Wendy Sew U book, but i guess that's enough story. Oh, and the awesome lineny white pillow with screen printed electrical poles is from a new local partnership called Repeat. Here's a bit of a slideshow to showcase the shams. Yes, there sure are a lot of words that all mean the same thing (sham, pillow, cushion....).

Happy Parents Day

I'm off to see my parents today, to celebrate Father's Day and a belated Mother's Day with them. I'm looking forward to a day away from Toronto - I know my mom and i will end up chatting about knitting patterns and looking through her stash of fabrics. They will feed me, and we'll get to chat about life in Toronto, and most likely sit around in the air-conditioned house watching TV.I wanted to make my mom something that i'd know she'd like. So, since she bought me Amy Butler's In Stitches book and said specifically she wanted to borrow the book from me sometime so that she could make the Patchwork Handbag, i thought i'd make it for her.

It was a bit challenging, mainly because it is a long process. I use a lovely vintage barkcloth fabric as the main and i'm quite happy with it overall. I'm sure she will be too!
I also wanted to make something for my dad, he never seems to get handmade things from us anymore. What can you make for a dad anyway? Since he's having some back problems, and is a carpenter by trade, and a great support to my mom's crafty neeeds (of wood cut-outs and birdhouses, etc), i thought i'd make him a sturdy pillow. I filled it with stuffing and dried lentil beans, to add a b it more texture. I might be crazy but it feels nice and my dad will appreciate my attempt at a hammer! I added a nice little detail on the backside, too. See it here.

My parents have always been such a great supprt for me and i just wanted to thank them for that. Have a wonderful day, and i everyone else who's a mom or dad also does.