Crafting a Cushion: Hillarys Blinds Country Crafts Competition

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today is a very special blog - I'm unveiling my entry for the Country Crafts blogger competition run by the lovely people at Hillary's Blinds.

As you may know, I love a good sew (hey, a rhyme!), and as I've been so stressed with uni work, when I saw that Hillary's were running a competition to turn one of their new country retreat fabrics into something fab, I jumped at the chance for a little creative project. Plus, prize money of £1,000 is certainly nothing to be scoffed at!

Naturally I know there are all manner of incredible craft bloggers out there whilst I'm still very much an amateur Annie, but after scouring Pinterest for inspiration, I fell in love with the idea of 'conversation cushions.' I'm going to be moving house soon and will have my own home office, so really wanted to make something that would bring a bit of whimsy to my new space, plus greet visitors! Here were some images of inspo:

I then had an agonising decision between the four beautiful Hillary's fabrics on offer. I very nearly plumped for Bird Parade Teal, but we all know I'm a sucker for colour so Calluna Amethest became the obvious choice. The fabric was lovely and thick to work with, as you would expect curtain material to be, and really provided a solid base for embroidery and applique. As I love a bit of upcycling, the Amethyst also perfectly matched an old t-shirt of my boyfriend's which I used for the back of the cushion. 

And here is my final cushion! In hindsight I wish I'd used embroidery thread on the 'hello' to make it a little bolder, but considering I did the whole thing by hand, I'm pretty pleased with the result and still have loads of fabric left to experiment with. If you're interested in making your own 'hello' cushion, you can follow my step by step below. Sewing by machine is obviously quicker, but if you're after something fun to do in the evenings whilst watching telly, I couldn't recommend hand sewing more - it's so relaxing.

What do you think of my cushion? Wish me luck in the competition! Check out more info here - http://www.hillarys.co.uk/inspiration/the-hub/2014/country-craft-competition/

Lust List: February

Feels like it's been an age since I did one of these! Well, I guess that probably because it has been. After being thoroughly spoilt at Christmas, I felt like it was a bit ungrateful to do a January lust list, as there was genuinely nothing I was after. But now in February it's a whole different story...

Birdhouse Design Goji Trifold Ipad Mini Case

I was lucky enough to apply for and win a business grant this year for my own start up business when I graduate in July, and should be receiving my iPad Mini as part of that soon. I'm so excited to be able to comfortably catch up with my emails and favourite blogs on the go (oh and do some work of course!) that I've been doing lots of browsing for cases. I want something girly but not your typical fussy florals, because this will be a business device for me and I want to look professional as well as fun. I fell in love with this case as soon as i saw it in PC World - not only is the pattern quirky and colourful but it's made of oilcloth (hello durability!) and does that amazing tri-fold thing that helps it stand up. All round win methinks.

Paramore Floral Bars T Shirt

I've been after this shirt since I first saw pictures of it on their North American tour, and now they've finally put it up on their webstore for just $18 (roughly a tenner), I think I may have to indulge. I often think black band t shirts can look a bit mannish, but I think the print saves this one from being resigned to bedwear (the unfortunate fate of a lot of my tour t shirts.)

Kanken Grey and Pink Backpack

Ah, the Kanken. I've been cooing over different colours for ages but think I might have pinned my lustiness on this little two-tone number. The pastel ones are gorgeous, but I can't help thinking about how quickly they'd get dirty. This looks like it'd be big enough to take my laptop as well, which would be ideal.

Matalan Tartan Kilt

By the time I actually get around to ordering this there probably won't be any left in my size, because it's in the Matalan sale for a measly THREE POUNDS FIFTY! £3.50! I know right! And it's not even a teeny tiny illegally short one! Wish me luck when I dive into my local store.

Bombay Bicycle Club and Wild Beasts Albums

Two of my favourite bands are releasing records this month, so I feel a little bit spoilt in the musical department. Looking forward to getting my hands on these so I can review them for safetyinsound.com!

Laura Ashley Storage Boxes

These boxes were part of my picks when I was putting together Homemaker Magazines 'Home Store' section for this month, but I couldn't resist putting them on here as well. I love their fresh country look and think they'd be great for storing magazines and paperwork in in a home office (more about that later)

Topshop Tartan Pencil Skirt

I'm still trying to find a slightly cheaper alternative to this one, because I think it's a little pricey for a tube skirt, but I love the colours - reminds me of that now famous Primark tartan dress that all the bloggers were scrapping over before Christmas. A great option for officewear or to dress up a band tee.

H&M Chevron Cushion Covers

Another bargain that I've probably missed out on due to their totally unbelievable cheap price, these covers are only £1.99 and come in four colours (black not pictured here). With graduation looming, my business starting and hopefully some freelance journalism work on the go too, I'm hoping that my boyfriend and I can find a little house in Huddersfield with a spare room big enough to use as a home office, and I think these cushions would really brighten up an otherwise plain room. As renters we won't be able to paint or nail things up, so any easy injections of colour are a must.

Bakerlite Style Alarm Clock

I still haven't spent the dotcomgiftshop voucher I won in a blogger competition, but I'm thinking of splurging it on this lovely bubblegum alarm clock. It's a great whimsical vintage style piece that would again look great in an office, or just next to my bed. Maybe it's make getting out of bed on a Monday morning that tiny bit easier? A girl can dream.

What have you been lusting after this month?

Lust List: May 2013

I feel a bit bad starting my lust list feature just after I received some amazing gifts for my birthday, but hey ho, I guess that is the beauty of blogging - collaborating pretty things without seriously feeling  like a spoilt brat. Just a little note to self of things I've loved this month or want to remind myself to make versions of. So here goes...

Bunting - Who doesn't love bunting? I have some really cute tiny bunting strung up around my room here in our current house, but now we're moving to a new, more homely student house in a month, I'm feeling the urge to buy or make more to deck out the living room. I'm going to be living with three boys: I need to stamp some girliness on the place somehow.

Jelly Shoes from TopShop - As a child of the 90s, I can't believe these are back in fashion, they used to be so comfortable and stayed practically glued to my feet between the ages of 6 and 10. Wish I was going abroad this summer to make full advantage of their inherent summery-ness, but I guess they could be rocked here in blighty with a pair of frilly socks (Which, note to self, I hope to put a tutorial up for on here, seen as  I've got metres of lace and a plethora of pastel coloured Primark socks just waiting to be experimented with...)

Sass & Belle Fox - I've absolutely adored Sass And Belle ever since I discovered their owl cushions in Urban Outfitters, but Paddy the Fox has now won over my affections. Last month I finished one of my second year magazine projects in which I designed a crafts magazine, and Sass And Belle were one of the companies I contacted for potential advertising because I just love the fabric they use. They had really encouraging things to say about my own design work which was so nice to hear. Pairing together my love of foxes and florals, this cushion is a dream, and will inspire a little foxy project of my own that I have in mind for this summer.

Topshop Pinafore - Another 90s favourite, the humble pinafore is back in fashion. I absolutely hated them in my youth - I have distinct memories of my mum dressing me in one ofr school when I was 7, and feeling all odd and old fashion because all the other girls had trousers. Now, I couldn't thank mumma williams enough - I was well ahead of the trend! With a few pinnies notching up in my wardrobe, this denim one from TopShop would be perfect with an old tee for days when you just want to shove something on but still look well put together.

Apple Crates - Bit of a random one I know, but Pinterest and a wander round Huddersfield market has given me some really good ideas for storage in our new house using apple crates. Couldn't be simpler really - just sand them, paint them and stack them, and you have instant open shelving to display all your bits and bobs. Would be great for shoes, or even a makeshift, quirky bookcase. I abolutely love the idea of upcycling  thingsl ike this that you can get for free if youk now where to look... I shall keep you posted on my adventures trying to nab some!

Urban Ears Headphones - I've had a pair of pink skull candy headphones for years, but according to my radio lecturer, some of the wires in them has 'fazed'. Can't say I know what that means, but if it calls for a new pair, I've had my eye on these Urban Ears in Mint. I tested them in Urban Outfitters when in Manchester a few weeks ago and wasn't too impressed by their bass quality, but they sure are pretty. 

Modcloth Blouse -Ah, Modcloth. Bound to be making an appearance on every lust list form now on. Put simply, ModCloth make the most gorgeous vintage influenced dresses I have ever seen. Every single time I go on their site, I see a million and one things I would love to wear. This blouse is just one of the things I have been staring at for months, a simple, versatile chiffon topped off with delicate little floral buttons. It's nearly £60 dollars, but think how much wear you could get out of it...

Company Magazine Subscription - Doing tons of market research for my magazine project meant reading tons of womens and craft magazines, of which Company is definitely my favourite, blending affordable womens fashion with articles about bloggers and crafting and all sorts of other things that matter to my age group. I've been buying it religiously since Spetember but a subscription would save me a lot of money, not to mention the hassle of trying to grab a copy in the shops.

TopShop Nail Art Pen - I love a good polka dot, and that extends to my nails. Whilst I've got a good system down with a pink base coat and a delicately dotted black paint on top, a nail art would make my life a lot easier, and give me the chance to try some more intricate designs.

Laura Ashley Sausage Dog draught excluder - Anybody who knows me knows that it is one of my greatest ambitions in life to own a Daschund (when I'm no longer in student halls and have a decent job so I can afford to feed it). His name will be Maurice, he will be black and brown and will possibly wear a knitted beret at all times. Until then, this super-sweet draught excluder is about as close as I am going to get. Maybe I could try making my own...

Owl necklace - I love Owls just below Foxes and Daschunds, and thanks to my Mums' birthday gift, I have a nice little collection of Owly necklaces coming along. I'm not much of a jewellery wearer but I do like a good statement necklace - it can really lift a block coloured dress or cardigan, especially if it is a long chained one like this. I especially like the detail around the eyes - they look like flowers! Or those jammy biscuits...

Clothes Rail - Another boring house essential. Argos seem to do a pretty affordable range, which will mean lots of free up wardrobe space in the new house if I put my nice dresses on a seperate rail. I've always liked the idea of putting clothing on display - for lots of people it's a massive expression of their personality, so why hide it away!

Beg Bicycles 'Bella' Bike- Having finished uni for the summer two weeks ago, I have a vast expanse of summer ahead of me to enjoy and hang out with the boyfy here in Huddersfield. Having pretty much ignored all forms of excercise during deadline period, we're both hoping to tone up a little this summer by joining the local gym - he fancies the standard machines, I'm more into the idea of aquarobics and possibly some zumba. He's currently trying to convince me that the best couples exercise we can do is bike riding, but having failed cycling proficiency in year 6 (I know, nobody EVER fails that), I'm not too keen. However, if I were, this bicycle from Beg Bicycles would fit the ticket perfectly. Just imagine riding through around the yorkshire hills, a little wicker basket on the front. With Maurice the sausage dog tucked in...oh I'm in love.

Fat Quarters - As you may have read in my last post, my stupidly lovely and generous manfriend bought me my first ever sewing machine for my 20th birthday. With so much time on my hands now with no uni and only a part time job, I can't wait to get started with it. With dressmaking on my long term agenda, I want to get good at steady stitching first, so I think some cushion are in order, maybe a small patchwork throw that I can work on over time. Some fat quarters would be ideal, although my hand sewing has taught me there arep lenty of places where you can get decent sized fabric samples for free, so there might be a good place to start.

What items are you lusting after this month?