Thursday 25 November 2010

Come Drool With Me & Swimming Costume Drama Part 2

I've always been fearful of........quilting.  Yes, you read that correctly quilting - eeeek!  Scarey!  Yet, I adore the patchwork look. 

Recently I came across this book "Quilting in No Time:  50 Step-by-step Weekend Projects Made Easy" by Emma Hardy. 



It was going cheap at The Book People (for those who aren't familiar with it - it's a website for cheap deals on books ).  I checked out the reviews on Amazon and what sold it to me was what this reviewer said  "If you're a dedicated quilter you will be disappointed in the disregard for quilting techniques and in fact the lack of  much quilting at all (it focuses on the patchwork side). "  Perfect, I thought, a book about quilting without complicated quilting techniques - just the thing! 

Well I'm very pleased with the book.  The instructions are easy to follow and better still, there's lots of lovely pictures of fabulous patchwork.  Brace yourselves, dear readers, there are some seriously delicious pictures to follow.

Droooooool with me over this lovely red cushion (not literally, you understand):


Loving the pouffe:


I am swoooooning over this gorgeous rug:


Check out this darling draught excluder COMPLETE WITH POMPOM EMBELLISHMENTS (sorry, I'm shouting with uncontained excitement):


Oooooooh noooooooooooooo, three of my favourite things ever in the whole wide world:  patchwork, pompoms and BUTTONS (sorry, the excitement is reaching fever pitch here at J and P Towers):



Deep breaths now, dear readers.... an apron:


Breathe in 1-2-3............ breathe out 1-2-3........pretty patchwork curtains:



And relax...........a picnic blanket:


Every night I take the book to bed with me and ooh and aah over the pictures, sometimes stroking them and occasionally giving out a little frenzied yelp in excitement at all the stuff I'm going to make (this is normal behaviour, is it not, dear readers?). 

Anyway, enough of this patchwork craziness.  I would like to say thank you to those lovely people who left comments and suggestions on my previous post entitled "Swimming Costume Drama".  The vast majority of you thought that I shouldn't chop up the 1950s swimming costume that I've had lurking in my wardrobe for too long and many of you suggested that I display it.  The lovely Sonia of Raine and Sage told me that Simone of Beach Vintage had framed her collection of swimsuits like so:


And this got me thinking.  The 1950s cossie is such a an iconic style and shape that I thought perhaps I should keep it intact.  What sealed the deal, was discovering a large IKEA picture frame in the charity shop for £4 - exactly the right size.  Take a look:


Yes, it's in pride of place in our front room where I can gaze at it lovingly.


27 comments:

  1. Hoorah! I love what you've done with the bathing costume, I want to copy it. That book looks amazing, patchwork and pompoms rock! xxx

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  2. Ooh whereabouts are you based? I just donated a frame exactly like that one to a charity shop!! The cossie looks fab in it and I'm so glad you decided not to chop it up.

    All that patchwork stuff is glorious - I especially love the red cushion.

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  3. Oooh I love The Book People, I just bought a load of books for the small people for Xmas from them.
    Loving the cossie in the frame, a completely unique piece of art ;)

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  4. That looks great! and I'm SO digging that pouffe too!

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  5. Drooling over craft books is totally normal behaviour - for me anyway!

    I really love what you have done with the bathing costume, its gorgeous!

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  6. Ohhh seeing the costume as bought tears of joy to my face this morning well done you, it looks amazing and such a fab idea ;-))) I love it. What a great book i have to say i love the teacosy and the draught excluder and ha ha i can feel you excitment from here...Enjoy Dee ;-)) x

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  7. I love it! It looks wonderful in that frame.
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  8. hi Loo the patchwork book looks great and that pouffe seems to be a fantastic idea and its got me thinking about making my own .
    Your cossie looks great framed what a good idea
    xx fee

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  9. Well done on the swimming cossie framing - perfect! The book looks great - some cute ideas - I'm liking the pouffe! I love drooling over books like that in bed (you're not alone!) - sometimes I never get further than that - i.e. I never actually make anything! (but sometimes I do!) Have a good weekend:)

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  10. I love what you did with the cossie! I'm off to search for that book too! (I love The Book People). xxx

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  11. I bought that very same book from The Book People - it is rather lovely, isn't it?
    I thought the pouffe could be made from old jeans and cords.

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  12. Brilliant Loo. I shouted out loud when I saw it. Just the best thing that could happen to it. Pride of place in the front room eh? Gazing at it lovingly eh? Well, it takes all sorts! Well done. Ann x

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  13. The swimming costume does look really lovely, Loo. It looks great framed like that.

    Drooling, and, in fact, heavy breathing and slight sweating is all perfectly normally behaviour when confronted with gorgeous crafty book!!!!

    I'm definitely going to check out The Book People. I hadn't noticed that book in there....

    Sarahx

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  14. That book does look fab. I love patchwork and quilts, the only problem is that I can't sew straight! No matter how hard I try everything comes out wonky.
    I'm so glad that you decided to keep the swimming costume intact, it looks great.
    x
    PS. We used to live in the Delta de L'Ebre region of Tarragona. It's a stunning part of Spain.
    Hope you have a great weekend.

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  15. That book looks great - I'd better at it to my Christmas list.
    Love what you did with the swimming costume, it looks amazing.

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  16. Lovely Loo right back. Isn't blogging just a marvel at sharing ideas! The costume is beautiful framed, and a cheerful yellow ray of sunshine for you on a cold winters day.
    I could pore over that book for some time. I liked that it seems approachable, as I'm trying to enter the world of crafty stuff. So far the crochet and hook have been languishing in a bag.
    My condolences to Mr J&P on the loss of his treasured glass.

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  17. Love love love the quilting, its something I think I might try next year!
    And wowee I love the swimming cossie art...what a unique piece!
    Have a nice weekend
    Em xxx

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  18. I must admit it does look very good up in it's frame. Good call and good bargain with the frame.

    Definitely going to have to put that book on my christmas wish list, it looks fab.

    x

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  19. Your cossie looks fabulous, framed. What a good idea! I'm going to have to look for that book. Isn't it gorgeous? I really hope it gets you started with a bit of quilting. You'll love it when you've broken the ice. I know what you mean about being frightened of it. I'm frightened of free motion machine sewing and putting zips in! One day, my love, we'll get there. Loads of love, Amanda xxx

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  20. Hello from your newest follower! Thank you for popping over to my blog. I have got that book. It's great isn't it? Can't wait to see what you make. I'll post the recipe tomorrow. xxx

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  21. Looks like a great book! Glad you decided to keep the costume and hang it up, look fantastic! :) x

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  22. It looks fantastic - what a great idea!

    Vicky x

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  23. Your projects look great. Is the book easy to follow for people who can barely sew? I might have to purchase! So glad you decided to frame the cossie, it looks fab

    x

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  24. Hmmm...that book looks mighty interesting. I like the quilted look too, but don't have the patience for any sewing that is too involved. Love your framed swim suit. What a good idea :)

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  25. So...do I get to see your mystery plastic bag wreath? I'm extreeeeemely curious!

    Sarahx

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  26. Hello! Well, that's one of the best ways to enjoy that lovely 'swimming dress'! There it reaminds you also summer and beach! Wonderful idea!
    Your new book looks really good! Waiting to see your sewings!
    Sunny wishes!Teje

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  27. Some groovy things to make from the book.

    I am over the moon that you didn't cut it and now it is on display for all to view it's vintage loveliness.

    Well done.

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