Wednesday 16 January 2013

'Show offy' 50s cushions and redecorating....again (is that a tautology?)!


I have been a bit quiet on the sewing front but did make these cushions over Christmas.  I took a long hard look at bits of fabric and realised that there was no point in having it just sitting on a shelf.  It has always been my intention to make cushions but was waiting for new seating and the floor to be sanded.  Just before Christmas this was all done - the sanding of the floor was a marvel!  We had it done 'properly' - just for once we didn't hire a sander and do it ourselves - no  - we 'got someone in'. Had I known the difference it would make I would have had it done years ago. A hundred years of patchy varnish and staining all gone (no - it didn't look 'arty' - it just looked a mess). It took FOUR DAYS and all gaps were cleverly sealed = no gaps, no creaks, no drafts!! TA DAH!  Anxious moment re: seating as not 100% certain that we would get new ones in!  Had to keep old sofas just in case - but it all went in fine and dandy.  Rang the charity shop and an hour later they came to collect the old ones (not bad for the Saturday before Christmas) - if you are interested they are currently in their shop window for sale!!

Anyway 'the choosing of the fabricos' took a fair while - there are other patterns that I like but they did not really go  (the common denominator being grey/red colours)- decided that some of the Lucienne Day fabrics I will frame to go with the 'street fabric' .  However I was very bold with the scissors and snippity snipped some wonderful original Marian Mahler fabric and 50s Herzberger fabric (this has featured several times on this blog here  and here and indeed here and  - good grief - here! - I think I like this fabric greatly.... ).  Well, that is what is was made for! Sorry that I am showing the 'zip end' of some cushions...



A tower all the way to the framed fabric! 


I particularly like the fabric below and found that I had some with a grey background which I really liked - sadly not enough for a cushion...or even a cushionette.



 What I like about my cushions is that I have been able to use original fabric FRONT and BACK (am I shouting??) and they are a nice plump size (am I being gloaty?). That really is the great thing about making things yourself don't you think - you make it just how you like it.  TA DAH again!


Don't be daft - I just put them like this for the photo!





Jenny are those more Chinese Lanterns.......I keep them up until Chinese New Year....

This looks a bit spartan....I shall have to get some stuff out of the cupboards!


This was me trying to be 'arty' whilst the Christmas tree was up (mmmm - nice picture of a plug!)

Sofas  moved around to accommodate the tree.  If you have extra, extra beagley eyes you might see the 'heart' hand warmers that I made for the  'Mollie Makes' blog last year - yes I do use them! (Arthur: "Are you interested in this Martha?" Martha: "Not really....")



Let us carefully consider these two photographs and 'spot the difference'.  Things do not stay the same for very long in our house... (Arthur: "Same question as before...")



I was going to get rid of my chest (steady Arthur) as seen in this photo.  It is a nice enough Victorian one - bought  about 25 years ago at Greenwich Market (I have another one so don't worry!) - but Maille has collared it for her room....what goes around.....

Talking of getting rid of stuff two of my sisters recently had a stall at the vintage jumble sale in Northampton - I have been passing on stuff to them for that over the past year!  They told me that it was packed and we/they got rid of loads of stuff - wishing that I had not got rid of my 1960s Noddy clock for £1.50.  That  - ladies and gentlemen -  is why I am not in business....sniff, sniff.  If  I read within the next week or so that YOU have bought a nice Noddy clock at a jumble sale I will be coming round....ha ha

I think that is it for Christmas photos don't you !

Arthur: "Yes"


63 comments:

  1. the floor looks amazing, what a treat!so nice to 'get someone in'!the pillows look like a great size, real pillows! enjoy, Heather x

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  2. Ooh Jenny, thanks for sharing the tip about floor sanding, Blooming heck we have done a few floors in our days here! Knocking down the nails and cleaning in between. YUK!
    Loved looking through your gorgeous cosy home, such a treat!~Showed hubbie too! hehe.
    ~And those cushions are pretty awesome.
    Leaving you with a smile, as always :)
    Love Maria x

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    1. Ah yes - the nail knocking and my goodness the DUST!

      Keep extra warm lately!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  3. Jenny,
    I can't see the heart handwarmers and am very keen to do so...can you give me some more 'clues' I do like I like that game.
    Very much admiring your cushions, you have a heart of steel old girl! i keep trying to cut up my Lucienne day fabric but I can't. I just stare at it for a while and give up.....
    Muchest bestest to you...
    Daisy x

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    1. Thank you dear Daisy - link left on latest post. Be brave, be brave - it was made to be used in one way or another...
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  4. Did I miss the post where you made your lampshade{s}?
    Floors look amazing as do the cushions but that sewing box looks mighty interesting, I can only imagine/dream/wonder as to the delights it hides {I do have spare time it seems after all}
    Nicky
    x

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    1. ~thank you kindly Nicky - link on latest post. I bought the kits from Hunkydory - though a bit pricey they proved better than cheaper version
      Well spotted re: sewing box - more of that in another post
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. Jenny, your beautiful home..... I love it! Beautiful fabrics for your cushion covers. I love your coffee table. Have you featured it in your blog before? If so, could you let me know where so I can read about it - it's a real stunner. xx

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    1. Thank you kindly dearie - link on last post to coffee table - it is not that uncommon so can be found for the £30 - £40 mark usually. Usually billed as 'John Piper'
      Keep warm
      Best wishes
      jenny

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  6. Your lounge looks so cosy. I love the grey and that floor! you are so lucky.
    The cushions are beautiful.
    Rosezeeta

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    1. Awww - thank you kindly that is very sweet of you to say so
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  7. Oh Jenny it's gorgeous ... the floor is beautiful ... and the cushions are fab ... so lovely to enjoy the fabrics everyday ... Bee xx

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    1. You have hit the nail on the head here Bee - I can now 'admire' on a daily basis
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. Gorgeous cushions!!! And I'm sure I've said it before but that coffee table is just too too wonderful. Your floors look amazing, I'm so glad that you're pleased with them. Your whole house is such a joy - cosy and colourful and full of treasures - Arthur's wrong - we're very interested! Thanks for you lovely comment on my blog, I'm glad you enjoyed my Heals season! A belated Happy New Year to you too - I hope it's a good one for you. xxx

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    1. Thank you kindly Rachel - I will pass the message on to Arthur!

      Keep dry AND warm!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. I love your cushions! If I was clever enough to put a zip in, I too would "show my zip ends", but I can't, so I won't! Your house looks gorgeous. M x

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    1. Awww - thank you Vintage Jane. A bit cold today and need to light a fire I think!
      Best wishes
      jenny

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  10. I do love your new pillows!! Your room looks nice and cozy! :) xx Holly

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  11. hello Jenny:
    The '1950's' fabric gives a wonderfully retro feel to the room.The graphics are terrific and are a refreshing change from the usual florals. The colours are so jolly and work in perfectly with the rest of your decorating scheme. And, as for the floor, well, that is just great. You must be so pleased with it all.

    As for our ever thinking of making a cushion......well, let us just say that if such a thought should enter either of our minds [and we cannot honestly imagine it ever would] then we should retire to a darkened room until the urge wore off!!! Your cushions, however, look lovely. We should not wish anyone to sit on the sofa and spoil the arrangement!!!

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    1. Dear Hattatts - how you make me laugh! You mean you don't take to your sewing machine of an afternoon! Thank you as always for your kind comments
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  12. With the newly finished floor and the new cushions, the whole room is looking brand spanking new! You are right... so much better than just having the fabric sit around on a shelf.

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    1. Thank you dear - I must say it does look re-invigorated now! If only I could be the same...

      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. Oh my goodness!
    I love your room, I love it all. There is nowt wrong with random lanterns, I can't bring myself to remove my Christmas paper balls (not a euphemism).
    Your fireplace is gorgeous (not unlike mine), probably a bit grander. I love the oval mirror.
    You have inspired me to make some more cushions.
    Emma xxx

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    1. Dear Oooh Betty - glad to hear that your balls are still in situ!
      Look forward to seeing your cushions
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  14. I am absolutely green with envy, I love love 1950's fabric and as cushions they look incredible. I want to dive into my computer screen and snaffle them all up! Gosh, they look stunning Jenny, that was very brave of you snipping away.
    I would absolutely love to have a cheeky snoop in all your cupboards, you have some real treasures xox Penelope

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    1. Daw - dear Penelope how kind you are. I am thinking of running 'Open House' viewing days with '10p a look'....just a thought....
      Other half thinks 'too much tat'....
      Best wishes and thank you kindly
      Jenny

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  15. Your room is fantastic Jenny, just the sort of room to curl up with a good book or a bit of sewing! That fabric is marvellous too, swoon worthy! :) x

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    1. Thank you dear Ada - a bit too much fabric in this house....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. Jenny,
    I love your room it looks wonderful and so much better to have the material be used on those lovely cushions. My husband had a 1960's Noddy's clock too and sold it on ebay a few years ago for £25!
    Sarah x

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    1. Oh no - I should start a 'I once I had a Noddy Clock' society!!!!
      Ho ho
      Best wishes and thank you for your kind words
      Jenny

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  17. We went for the thrifty option of having someone in to do the floorboards: brother in law.

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    1. Brother in law on loan to all I hope...
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  18. Oh! Your floor is beautiful! I love it! I love your new sofas, I LOVE your cushions, I love your lampshades, the coffee table, the sewing box, the granny-square afghan, and ... and ... geez, I love the way everything looks!!!! And a cozy fire to go along with it all!!!!!!
    Hugs,
    Sandie

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    1. Thank you for your enthusiasm RetroSandie
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. I live in a house full of Custards but so far we have only sanded the floors ourselves and - guess what - it's really draughty! Maybe now's the time ( -10 tonight) to think about getting that sorted. Your blog is lovely and cheery and I look forward to catching up with your older posts x

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    1. Thank you kindly Plain Jane (which I am sure you are not!) - have the gaps filled has made a huge difference.
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  20. Oooh it's lovely Jenny and I agree that much as vintage fabric looks quite delightful hanging round in stacks, is a pretty good idea to use it, especially for such lovely cushions. We had our sitting room/kitchen floors sanded "properly" in November, a first for us not doing it ourselves, too. I must say, it was a joy to watch someone else do the hard work for a change (!) and indeed, the result is so much more impressive. Have a good weekend (well, it's nearly here!)
    Hen x

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    1. I have to agree Hen - The Sandman worked really hard and to get the same results would have taken us weeks!
      All the best
      Jenny

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  21. Hi Jenny - popped over to say thank you for you comment on my blog and I discover your beautiful, fun blog! Your house is like something out of my dreams. I'll be packing up and coming to live shortly ~ okay, maybe I'll just settle for virtual visiting.

    kindly,
    Jenny from across the pond

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    1. Please do Jenny - we could be 'The Two Jennys'!!!!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  22. Hi Jenny,fabuloso cushions! the room is very chic,I envy your fireplace,it looks soooo cosy.Could we have little peeps at some other roooms?Spotted the different knitted blankets.Warm regards Pam.

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    1. Ah ha - well spotted Pam. You are most welcome to come round Pam and then you will see the awful truth!
      Keep warm today
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  23. Cushions and floors look particularly spiffy. Why can't we just decorate like Christmas all year round. Love the pics.

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    1. Indeed so simmone - but then I suppose we would no longer have that to look forward to
      thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  24. The Vintage Jumble in Northampton is not a million miles away from me, and if I'd known that some of your stuff was going to be there, I'd have been there like a shot! Great room.

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    1. It was indeed a very 'good' event said my sisters - I think most things were in the £1-2 range so lots of affordables! Might see you at the next one?
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. It all looks fab Jenny, so cosy and comfy and above all unique!

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  26. Your floor looks great Jenny and I love the cushions/fabric...oh no you let your Noddy Clock go!!! :)
    x

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    1. Regrets ----- I've had a few.........

      Sniff
      xxxxxxxxxxx

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  27. The cushions are gorgeous and your house looks so pretty in it's Christmas finery.

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  28. Fantastic cushions and I love your coffee table!
    Ellie
    x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jelly Jam - we're getting there....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Hello Ms Custard.
    I'm soooo Loving your cushions,I have two of those fabrics too so maybe I'm a bit biased, just enough of the hertzberger to make either a cushion or a lampshade though and the decision seems to be taking over my life!!
    Gorgeous sofas, really love that colour green and the style.x

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    1. Thank you for calling round dearie - missed your posts and now caught up. Take the plunge!
      Thank you for kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  30. love your floor, and 'Arthur'. So i havent bought a Noddy Clock, but I would have if i'd seen one for 1.50!!

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    1. Arthur sends his kind regards to you and yours

      I cannot tell you how much that wretched clock has seared into my brain....sad but true!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  31. Replies
    1. It is so much more cosy now it has been 'done'
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  32. Thank you Monika
    I will call round
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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