Now that it’s in the hands of its new owner, I can reveal the Secret Sewing I’ve been working on..
I follow a blog called The Kitchens Garden. It was the first blog I ever followed when I started blogging, and it’s still my favourite of all time. The blog’s resident genius, Cecilia, posted a while back about the joys and ways of saving for something you really want. In her case, it was travel, to visit her far flung children on the other side of the globe.
One thing she said was that her writing chair was becoming bony and uncomfortable. Normally, she’d be thinking of replacing it, but she was Saving, so it would have to last a bit longer. I knew right then that a Chiconian cushion was going to make its home on the seat of that bony old writing chair.
Here’s how it’ll look once stuffed – I’ve given her just the cover to reduce bulk as she’s travelling. She can insert a pad when she gets it home. If you want to know where the name for this post came from, just read the comments on her Saving blog!
A double bonus for us, the lucky few, having lunch together and meeting a mutual hero!
Lucky, lucky you! And lucky her! YAY!
Linda
We had a really lovely time, lots of talk, exchange of gifts, great food, and new friends made. The best kind of lunch!
I love the way the Internet connects us. You and Cecilia, once strangers, are friends despite miles. And now this lovely gift. We may be dealing with global warming but we’ve got global heartening too!
And global reaching out and friendships! Such fun, too, to meet the true voice of the Farmy. I’m so glad we were able to make it happen, and so grateful that Celi made time for us when her family had first call on her time and attention.
Love it, gr8 use for those scrap pieces
Nothing better than a lovely scrappy item; a thing of beauty from tiny pieces someone else would throw away.
Darn it, Kate: you do have some photos re THAT Melbourne lunch – isn’t there even one you can ‘release’ . . . 🙂 . .? . . .with love but frustration . . .
I’d like nothing better than to post a lovely gloat about the wonderful time had by all, with photos galore, but not without permission! Celi has posted what she feels comfortable with, and I respect her position.
I love the little label on the back – it makes it so personal.
I just love the idea that it will go and become part of the place where she sits and writes her posts every day. Or at least, I hope it will….!
what a lovely personalised gift!
I had a lot of fun choosing colours I thought she’d like, and the embroidered panel on the back was too good to resist!
I guessed right about the recipient! I’m still waiting for the stories of the meeting – Celie’s blog today is very restrained, she called the lunch ladylike! So I take it you were all on your best behaviour…
I love the cushion – great colours for C.
love,
ViV
I shall email you, Viv. But it was a truly lovely lunch, I had a blast, met new friends, and we were not particularly ladylike… Celi is much quieter than I, who loves to talk and talk, so it was important to listen, because when she did speak, it was well worth hearing!
I’m so glad it was a success (and envious). I’ve been trying to help a friend unblock her telephone, which requires a ludicrous number of robotic phone calls to get the codes – so far 18 at 3 euros each, and she’s only 45% unblocked. Jock has forbidden me to continue, so I reckon I’ll be losing a friend. I keep saying to her that it’s a scam, (we’re doing the whole operation by facebook messaging, laborious in the extreme) but she wants me to carry on. I’m going to log off now and have my lunch (it’s nearly 2pm and we’ve been at it since 12!
Kate it’s beautiful! What a wonderful gift. I’m sure that meeting someone whom you’ve admired for such a great time was awesome!!!
I counted it a great privilege; she has so many followers all round the world, but she made time for the three of us in a very busy time when she was visiting family.
I remember that post about her chair. And no one but you thought of the cushion!!! I know she loved it and the tag at the back. 🙂 It’s just wonderful! I met Miss C here in Portland, OR a while back and posted about it. It wasn’t a sweet lunch though. 🙂 I’m sure she felt the same about meeting all of you. I would. 🙂 Think I will go make myself a cushion now…uhm, when I get back from my trip. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
It wasn’t a hard one: I just made the back first, with the concealed zipper, then hand hemmed the lining on either side of the zipper on the inside. Then I made the patchwork for the front, made a quilt sandwich and quilted it. Then I just placed the two sides together, lining to lining, and bound it like a quilt, but with a narrower than usual binding. Job done, and no silly stuff about turning things inside out! Do let me know when you’ve made yours, I’d like to see it – or better still, show it for ScrapHappy on 15 March, and I’ll link to your blog!
I’m going to be gone for a week so there will be no scrappy pillow by the 15th. 🙂 Hand sewing only. It will be placed in the queue. 🙂
Maybe next time…
🙂
Oh, that´s a great idea and a lovely cushion!
And hopefully it will make her writing chair more comfortable for a while longer…
I love the cushion and the message on the back. So glad your lunch went well.
It was a pure pleasure, and I hope the cushion makes writing a little more comfy for her for a while…
Yay! She’s been one of my favourites the whole time, too – you may have noticed I’m behind on reading posts but I NEVER miss hers!
She is a truly lovely person, with a dry wit and a sharply observant eye. I enjoyed the lunch tremendously, and hope one day I may get to repeat the experience.
Were you there!!! I read too fast maybe? Oh I’m jealous now 🙂
Go back to the Little Gatherings post, it’s all there
The colours are so rich. I’m sure your cushion will be cherished forever. What a gorgeous gift!
I asked her a while back about her favourite colours, so I had something to go by…
I found you through Celi of course but I’ve never commented before. The cushion drives me to, though! It is gorgeous and what a thoughtful gift. As a writer who spend long hours at my desk, I know how important comfort for the bum is!
Hi there! Welcome, and come over and comment anytime 🙂 I too spend long hours sitting at a desk, although my action involves the sewing machine, and a sore bum truly is a concentration killer. I love to make things, I love to read Celi’s blog, and the two came together when I got the chance to finally meet her!
Oh, Kate, your cushion has come out wonderfully. It’s a really beautiful one. I can imagine how Celi was pleased to receive it from you personally! – Great that you have met……..
I think she did like it! And I hope it gives her years of good service, keeping the tushie comfortable!
It’s lovely! You are a good and generous friend, Kate. I am sure she will enjoy it for many years.
She did seem to like it when I handed it over! If it makes her writing chair last a bit longer, even better…