Tuesday, May 28, 2013

All Buttoned Up!

She's a finished!!
 
 
I finally got the finishing details all sorted out on my daughter's zig-zag cushion.  I had to figure it out on my own though as the pattern only suggested that you sew the entire cushion cover closed over the cushion form.  That would've been the easiest thing to do.  However, I wanted my daughter to be able to remove the cover easily for a wash every so often, so I opted for a button closure.  I had run out of the turquoise, pink & green yarns, so I couldn't make the strips any longer than they are.  I decided to knit a band all around the bottom with yarn-overs for button holes (I do know how to make nice neat button holes, but I didn't feel like getting all fussy about this as I'm fed up with it now!). 

 
Since I've collected all these pretty vintage buttons for the longest time, I chose all different buttons.  I had all the colours except the hot pink. 

 
Aren't they nice?


 
When I showed my daughter, the first thing she said was "I like the buttons!".  And here I didn't think she'd hardly notice them ... yeah!

 
It was very cloudy and rainy today, so I couldn't take photos outside, and the only good light was in the front window.  I still want to take a photo of it on my daughter's bed with the quilt to see how it looks, but I'll have to wait till it's sunny again.
 
I'm glad this cushion cover is finally finished.  It was a lot of work (for me!), although I'm sure a more experienced knitter could've whipped this up in a couple of days.  After numerous changes to the pattern and the sewing up of this cushion, I wonder at what point do you call a pattern "re-do" your own?  The only thing I kept from the original pattern was the zig-zag concept.  I found the pattern lacking and a bit sneaky.  It was written in a children's book, but the written pattern didn't seem to match the photo in the book.  The increases & decreases looked different, and they could not have used the suggested whip stitch to connect the strips as I tried to do it that way but it looked horrendous!  I am very happy with the way my cushion cover turned out, and would make this again ... I'll just have to write out my notes in good before I can't make out my scrawls!
 
While I was taking photos of the cushion, I spied the baby robin (American Robin) outside with one of his parents.  See the adult listening for the worms underground.  So glad the baby is still surviving. 
(poor quality as they were taken through the window)
 

 
 Nothing on the go for reading at the moment ... too busy gardening!
 
My earlier spring flowers ...
 
 
Aren't these collages cool!
 
And flowers now blooming in my backyard ...
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy
 
Linking up with:
 
 
AND ...
 
 
 
 
 

55 comments:

  1. Your cushion is really cute! I love the buttons. I just finished a crocheted pillow cover myself, my first one ever. I'm really excited to make another one.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer ... I like the buttons as that finishing touch (even though they're on the bottom of the cushion). I had a peek over at your blog at your beautiful pillow cover, and am now following you too ;)

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  2. It is beautifully done, Wendy!, love the colours and those cute buttons.

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  3. Lovely pillow! I love the colors and I like that it has buttons! I'm pinning it!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  4. Oh yes the blooms all put together are just fantastic!!! As is that sweet little fluffy baby!! Your pillow for your daughter is gorgeous! It is such a happy piece! And the buttons are just too perfect...great touch! I'm sure she will just treasure this pillow! There is nothing better than homemade and to top it off it is made by her mom!!! You have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks Nicole ... my daughter does like all those bright colours! Your have a great week too :)

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  5. i love the collage.how'd u do that?that's cool ........and the birdies r cuteand flowers are awesome

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    1. The photo collage is done with the photo gallery program that came with Windows 8 ... so easy to do them too!

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  6. I love the cushion! the buttons look great I'm sure your daughter will love it :)

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    1. Thanks Linda, I'm glad to move onto something else now!

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  7. ~ Morning Wendy! WOW your winter most certainly turned to summer, didn't it just! Beautiful pictures of your garden....Such a special gift for your lucky girl, too! Made with love from the heart, It's lovely! ~ with kindest thoughts...Maria x

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    1. Our spring has been very flip floppy ... really cold to really hot!! You never know what to wear (yesterday I would've been comfortable in my winter coat, but refused to put it on!). I do have lots blooming in the garden, but am really anxiously waiting for the iris to ALL come out to see what colours they are! Enjoy your week! :)

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  8. Oh the cushion looks wonderful. I love the buttons too!

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  9. Such a gorgeous cushion and the buttons are yummy. Impressed with the collages very clever of you and the garden looks fabby. Sarah x

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    1. Thanks Sarah, I'm quite pleased with the cushion ;) The collages were easy with a special feature in a photo program.

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  10. Your cushion is gorgeous and the buttons are adorable ... I'm not surprised they were noticed ... just lovely ... Bee xx

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    1. Thanks Bee, I was rather surprised the buttons were noticed at all (she's that kind of girl).

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  11. Well now your cushion is fab - what a shame there were all those difficulties though, especially in a book meant for children. I didn't realise the flower pictures were collages to begin with - they just looked as though you had incredible planting skills - what fun! Love the pictures of the birds - the chicks at this time of year really make me smile! Happy Wednesday x Jane

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    1. I was disappointed with the pattern, and since I'm still not that experienced, I thought a book written for children would be a piece of cake! Love the comment of my "incredible planting skills" ... the camera has the skills ;)

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  12. Great cushion Wendy and the buttons really add that something extra to it.
    Sweet little Robin and love to see the flowers in your garden.
    Strange seeing all your blooms when my garden is going into hibernation and
    very little is happening........Love the Bleeding Heart.

    Claire x

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comments Claire. Spring is the best time for my garden, and I have to work on what comes up throughout the summer!

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  13. The cushion is wonderful, Wendy, and the buttons are perfect. Beautiful work :) I'm sure your daughter is trilled!
    Love the collages, your garden is blooming beautifully :)

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    1. Thanks so much Hilde, it was a pleasure to hand it over and say "done"!!

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  14. Very gorgeous cushion. Love the colours not to mention the fab buttons!!

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    1. Thank you Hannapat and thanks for stopping in :)

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  15. Wow, what a fab cushion, and those buttons! Yummy! :) x

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    1. Thanks Ada ... now I'm at a loss as to what to knit next!

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  16. Your perseverance certainly paid off! The pillow looks great ~ I love it! The buttons are a fabulous finishing touch! I really like your flower collages too; it's very a creative way to show off your garden. And I am also glad to see the baby chick doing well. I wish we had some baby birds around here, well I mean I guess we have some babies around here someplace, just not right in my yard. I hope you have a happy day today!

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    1. Thanks Stacy! I'm often guilty of almost finishing something, and then it just sits there, and I can't get back into it again. Blogging has certainly helped me there as I feel I owe it to people to show the finished product. I bet you have a lot of baby birds up in the trees where you don't see them. We have a cardinal family too, but by the time the babies come out of the nest, they look just like the adults. Gloomy day today, but warming up ... I really want to get back outside!!

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    2. It is a gloomy day here too but the sun is trying to make an appearance. I have nominated you for the Liebster award. Not only is your blog great, you are a wonderful blog friend too!

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  17. That turned out super cute! I love the colors too.

    Awww...the Robins are so cute! Pretty collages.

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  18. I always enjoy your posts and beautiful photos. your pillow is so awesome!-you must be thrilled over the results as it is very stunning-and the buttons are just perfect! would you be making another? lol

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    1. Well thank you Kathy!! Such a nice compliment :) I am quite thrilled with the pillow, especially now that I don't have to look at it in its unfinished state anymore!! Now that I've sorted out a few glitches, I actually wouldn't mind making another one ... just not right away!

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  19. I love the cushion! Especially the buttons you chose for it. My knitting is on hiatus at the moment. Maybe I should try a cushion cover. Your garden blooms are lovely too! My garden is past the early spring blooming, and is waiting for the late spring/early summer flowers. So the only things blooming at the moment are my irises and forget-me-nots.

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    1. Thanks Joanna :) The next(?!) cushion cover I knit will be all one piece! My spring blooms are past their prime now too, but the iris are just starting. Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. You did it! and I LOVE it ♥ It is a piece of art, so modern and colourful. Congratulations!

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    1. Yes I did it!! Thank you for this wonderful comment Ana ;)

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  21. Oh Wendy - so worth the wait - your cushion cover is amazing - a splash of vibrant colour and a zing of zigzaggy texture! The buttons are fabulous - love their colours and they really add that extra dash of cheerful colourfulness!! Love it - and I'm sure your daughter will use and treasure it!
    Well done - and your second one will be more straight forward!! ;)
    Ali xx

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    1. Gosh, thanks so much Ali!! So many nice things you have said ;) Not sure there will be a second, but never say never!

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  22. Your cushion cover is absolutely beautiful! And I LOVE the buttons. Such a lovely creative touch. It's so cheery and pretty. You could totally sell covers like this. Of course, you would probably have to charge a fortune with the time they take to make. ;)

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    1. Awww, thank you Jo! Yep, you're looking at a $500 cushion right there ;)

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  23. Oh wow! What a cushion! and the buttons are just perfect. I'm just finishing off a cushion and keep dreaming about the different buttons I could put on it to show summer time (yes, I'm sad that way!). Take care. Chel x

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    1. Thanks Chel ... and thinking of summery buttons is anything BUT sad!! Good luck on your choices ;)

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  24. Wow, that's all I can think of to say! The colors are striking....great job! The collages of flowers are divine, too!

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    1. Thanks Mitzi, I think I pulled of the "bright" that my daughter had wanted :)

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  25. Love the cushion and the buttons look fab - I think it counts as all your design. A lovely mum and lucky daughter x

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    1. Thanks Sue ... yes, I think I'd have to consider this my own work in the end (just the concept of the zig-zags was borrowed).

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  26. lovely pillow - the buttons are perfect!

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    1. Thanks Sandra ... I DO love the bright buttons!

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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