the small projects continue

It's already Sunday evening, and I feel like I haven't had nearly enough time to accomplish everything I wanted to this weekend. The weather has been pretty dreary, so I've spent most of the weekend inside. We have floor to ceiling windows in our living room/dining room, and it's nice to be inside and look out onto the activities in our yard. The grey sky makes all the other colors jump to luscious life. The impossibly red apples are spent and lying in the impossibly green grass. A squirrel dashes around in the rain, samples a clothespin to make sure it isn't food, and scampers off to find proper food. It's nice to witness these things from my warm, dry living room.

I awoke this morning thinking about making some plush pears. Frankly, I have no idea where the idea came from, but I had to act.

I used natural linen and mixed it with some cotton fabric, then threaded some fabric through the pear from top to bottom and tied knots in both ends to mimic the stem.

I've also been busy making some autumn pillows for the house. I still have some more to make, but I've made a pretty good start.

This is our new old sofa (referred to in the last post). I thought the pillows would detract a bit from the tattered upholstery.

Work is stressing me out a little these days, so I really need these little projects as a release. As much work as I have to do, I'm making a point of keeping some projects going in an attempt to maintain more of a balance. I have workaholic tendencies, so these projects help me keep things in perspective. I also like having the house decorated for the season. Silly, I know, but it's one of those little things that makes me happy.

Have a lovely week, friends.

Comments

[andrea (scout)]

oh my...LOVE the pears. so fantastic. as a fellow autumn-nester, i can totally relate. the fabrics and shapes of your pillows are lovely. (also, the very same white vase sits on my coffee table too.)

thanks for sharing such beautiful things. :)

[shari]

hi mary!
i enjoyed reading your window observations. :) those pears are fantastic! love them. beautiful pillows too. enjoy your week. xo

[Angie]

I love that little squirrel fabric!

[lisa s]

love the first pear and that long pillow....
sigh....

[kelly]

geesh - I'm such a freak for pears, and those are so great!

Hang in there with work...hope everything is ok.

[Cassi]

Adorable pears, wonderful fabrics! I've been wanting to make some couch pillows too - yours look great :)

[Marisa]

Beautiful pears and pillows. I hear you on using your craft/creative artistic side to feel better during hectic times at work. I'm usually doing the same!

[Mae]

What tattered upholstery? The pillows are great - each an original!

[tina]

I love the composition of your photos and your choice of fabrics. Are you sure you weren't an art major?

[Al's Gal Lou]

I just adore pears! And I love yours...how wonderful and colorful. I love the mix of the colored/printed fabrics and the plain linen. Great idea.
Have a marvelous Fall!
Blessings, Louise

[Anne]

Oh, these are cute.

[Amy]

Perfect-not a fan of eating pears so why not make some you don't have to eat!

[Selena]

Those are very sweet pears. I wish I could think of some of these crafty things myself. I seem to only get inspired by reading other blogs. I think some pears would love just perfect on my mantle.

[meg]

The polka dot leaf is a lovely touch. I just discovered your blog and your work is fantastic!

[Lindy]

Cute pears! I saw some like that in one of my japanese craft books. I've been thinking about giving them a try!!

[shash]

oo. that pillow is really nice. great fabric. and again, beautiful pears!

[jen]

i love the pillows - they really jazz up the room. colour on a neutral palate can be so very refreshing!

the pears are divine, also. i LOVE them!!!

[Joanna]

I LOVE those pears! I have been thinking for years of what I should collect and I keep coming back to pears - every time I see something like your plush pears it makes me think yes, pears are the thing! LOL! Thanks for the inspiration :)

[Glynis]

New to this arena - the past two days I have been stressing over the quanitity of to do's and realized my battery is discharging and needs recharging. Have never embarked on little projects, think I'll give it a try! Thank you for the encouragement! Great pears and pillows! I am inspired to keep it simple and just do it!

[vera]

Lovely colours

[Pip]

You can find a pattern for making Heather Bailey type pears on Craftster.. and yours are lovely, Miss tomato! Lovely choices of fabric!

[Ravenhill]

You are already so flooded with comments but I have to tell you too: I adore these pillows. They are great shapes and fabrics! The pears are also lovely.

[Dawn]

I love the pear with the bright colors oh so very much. Gorgeous pillows too. xoxo

[lyn]

Beautiful pears !

[Kitchen Trove]

I have a soft spot in my heart for pears...I don't know why but I love them....for their shape and beauty more than for their taste. I love this idea for plus pears and the fabics you selected.