Friday 4 October 2013

Holiday Memories Cushion...


Whenever my daughter and I holiday in South Australia, we spend some time visiting the Fleurieu Peninsula. Whatever the time of year, we love walking along the beautiful beaches. South Australia isn't just wineries, although we do like to visit those, too. 


Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

On one of those trips, six or seven years ago, we came across the remains of an old wharf. There was something intriguing about those old pieces of wood that remained in the ocean. How long had they been there? What cargo did the ships that docked there carry?

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

Behind us, as we sat on the rocks watching the waves, were man made caves in the base of the weathered cliffs. Somehow, I think they were once connected with the wharf.

This photo is the one I have chosen to use as the basis for my entry in the Holiday Memories Mini Quilt Competition.


I played around in Photoshop Elements, to see what effects I could create. My thinking was that if I simplified the photo, it would be easier to transfer the main elements to fabric.


Having printed the photos with the coloured pencil and the charcoal filters, I set about making my cushion. Although I had an overall idea as to where I was headed, I changed my mind along the way, so I didn't take photos of the process.


I was determined to only use materials from my stash and succeeded in doing this, even including the 14" x 14" cushion insert. 
  • Cut four pieces of fabric 5" x 16" for the background.
  • Sew them together at different angles.
  • Trim the seams and press open.
  • Trim to a square 16" x 16"


I roughly cut out the pieces for the wharf appliqué and fused them to the background. Instead of appliquéing them with a zig zag stitch as I normally do, I sewed once around each piece with a straight stitch and then stitched two, deliberately uneven rows of stitches.

Sewing uneven rows totally went against my traditional sewing background, but it was the effect I was after. You can see it's deliberate, can't you? I don't know what this technique is called, but I've seen it around a lot.


To represent the pebbles, I tried various methods of stitching, but couldn't achieve the look I was after. Out came the fabric markers and I scribbled the pebbles. It's not exactly what I wanted, but worked much better than the stitching.

The foam for the waves was much easier to to, with fabric paint and a paint brush. The faint clouds are done the same way. If I'd had brown fabric paint, I would have used it for the pebbles, too.


I've used bamboo batting, sandwiched between the front and another piece of fabric. Doing my first line of quilting, I could see I'd forgotten everything I'd learnt while making my first and only quilt. I hadn't increased the stitch length. It came back to me and I did lines of stitching on either side of the seams, missing the appliquéd pieces.

To finish off the cushion...

I'm rather chuffed with how my cushion has turned out. It was a very quick, easy make and I really had FUN doing it. My holiday memories cushion is now proudly sitting on the lounge in our family room.



My daughter, Tash and I have had a few holidays down in South Australia. Here are a few photos from some of our trips. I know Tash took the photo of the wharf and she's most likely taken some, if not most, of the others, but I know I took at least one of them. In the second last photo, I can see Tash and her Nana, taken on a trip when we took my Mum down to this wonderful, little corner of the world.

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia ~ Threading My Way

Celtic Thistle Stitches Head on over to Celtic Thistle Stitches to see the entries in the Holiday Memories Mini Quilt Competition. There are some really awesome projects.

... Pam

44 comments:

  1. Great pictures; what a neat way to remember your vacation...love it

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  2. Liebe Pam,

    eine tolle Erinnerung an den Urlaub mit deiner Tochter...es sieht klasse aus! Wunderschöne Urlaubsbilder.

    LG Klaudia

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  3. Hi Pam! Your pillow is beautiful and you made a wonderful design from your holiday photo! All the photos are beautiful! x Teje
    PS. I love also the colourful jacket!

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  4. What an interesting project! I think you have captured the image perfectly. I like how you deliberately sewed unevenly. I know it would not look deliberate if I did it ;p Beautiful beach!

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  5. It's wonderful Pam, well done and good luck!

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  6. This is really, really cool! Thanks for sharing, I love the idea!

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  7. Hi! I'm a new follower, and excited to read up on your old and new projects. :)

    Diane @ Vintage Zest

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  8. You have spectacular scenery! That old wharf is intriguing and you've really captured a sense of it in your lovely cushion :)

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  9. I liked your interesting post about your creative process. Thanks for sharing, it was way more interesting to follow your ideas than simply a picture of the final pillow.

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    1. Thanks, Meg. It was a fun post to write and great to reminisce.

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  10. Fantastic Pam! Love the colours and the inspiration. Looks like a beautiful spot - I will have to get Craig to take me there next time we're in SA.

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  11. As soon as I saw your pillow I knew exactly where it was! I'm from Adelaide and that area is one of my favourite places. The beach caves were used by the fishermen to store their gear and I think they even had electricity in some! I think there is still some old wiring coming down the cliff. You did a great job on the cushion, well done!

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  12. I'd love to visit that beach to take photos - just beautiful! Your cushion is a great representation of your photographs - good luck in the competition.

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  13. What a beautiful memento to have from your holiday, much better than some cheezy souvenir bought at a booth. You will cherish this pillow for years to come. I am definitely inspired to look at my vacation photo's in new light. Thank you. www.cheriesforgetmenots.com Cherie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cherie. My husband has asked me to make another one.

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  14. Looks like an amazing place, and a great cushion to remind you xxx

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  15. Amazing .....very creative. Love it!

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  16. What a beautiful cushion and a great idea! Makes me want to rush off to dig through my photos to do something similar. You are a constant source of inspiration.

    I've always wanted to visit Australia. These photos have put it way higher on the bucket list. Just gorgeous.

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  17. A really lovey way to capture thoe memories.

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  18. Pam, your cushion really does capture the photo. What a wonderful way to remember your holiday.

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  19. Lovely photos and lovely cushion!

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  20. It is fabulous Pam, so creative. Good luck in the competition

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  21. Beautiful pictures. I love this idea, and your end creation!

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  22. I love your cushion - it's really clever!

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  23. Pretty. I like your memory pillow a lot.

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  24. Pam, You did a wonderful job recreating the photo for your cushion. Using the fabric paint and markers worked really well for adding dimension to the solid fabrics.:)

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  25. I love your cushion - brings back lots of holiday memories for me too!

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  26. Great cushion Pam, great for keeping those memories and looks like you had a fab time :D

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  27. Great pictures and such an amazing idea :)

    Love this will be featuring next week at Creative Mondays ,,,

    New follower by GFC ...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks again for linking up last week:) featured and pinnind this week at the hop...

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  28. I just love this :) It would never have crossed my mind to make a cushion based on a holiday pic. Beautiful :)

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    1. I'm glad Fiona ran the Holiday Memories Mini Quilt competition, where the design had to be based on a photo... certainly made me think outside the square.

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  29. Beautiful cushion Pam -such a nice way to preserve a memory!
    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  30. What a neat pillow and isn't playing in Photoshop fun! Love the photos too! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  31. Wow, that's so cool! I still get the original intrigue and feeling from the picture, but your artistic interpretation adds so much!

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  32. Great project !!

    I would love you to come and share @ Craft, Create & Inspire linky party !!!

    Look forward to seeing you there :)

    http://lemonpaperdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-4.html

    Claire x

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  33. Your cushion is a beautiful work of art.

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  34. Great job, I always use the machine blanket stitch for applique, you have made me want to try something new!

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  35. Found your site today and will be making a quilt of my holiday with my dtr. and 2 gdtrs. to Uluru. Had mouse mats made from a piccies of girls on camels for each of them - didn't even think of doing a cushion. Will do so now thanks so much.

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    Replies
    1. Holiday memories from Uluru captured on a quilt and cushions, will be something to treasure forever.

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  36. What an original idea and so well made.
    thank you for this idea and the wonderful cushion.
    mirjam

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