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.
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. :)
Posted by: andrea (scout) | October 01, 2007 at 01:38 AM
hi mary!
i enjoyed reading your window observations. :) those pears are fantastic! love them. beautiful pillows too. enjoy your week. xo
Posted by: shari | October 01, 2007 at 05:37 AM
I love that little squirrel fabric!
Posted by: Angie | October 01, 2007 at 09:02 AM
love the first pear and that long pillow....
sigh....
Posted by: lisa s | October 01, 2007 at 10:26 AM
geesh - I'm such a freak for pears, and those are so great!
Hang in there with work...hope everything is ok.
Posted by: kelly | October 01, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Adorable pears, wonderful fabrics! I've been wanting to make some couch pillows too - yours look great :)
Posted by: Cassi | October 01, 2007 at 02:09 PM
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!
Posted by: Marisa | October 01, 2007 at 10:22 PM
What tattered upholstery? The pillows are great - each an original!
Posted by: Mae | October 03, 2007 at 05:27 PM
I love the composition of your photos and your choice of fabrics. Are you sure you weren't an art major?
Posted by: tina | October 04, 2007 at 09:53 AM
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
Posted by: Al's Gal Lou | October 05, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Oh, these are cute.
Posted by: Anne | October 06, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Perfect-not a fan of eating pears so why not make some you don't have to eat!
Posted by: Amy | October 11, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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.
Posted by: Selena | October 11, 2007 at 08:47 PM
The polka dot leaf is a lovely touch. I just discovered your blog and your work is fantastic!
Posted by: meg | October 12, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Cute pears! I saw some like that in one of my japanese craft books. I've been thinking about giving them a try!!
Posted by: Lindy | October 12, 2007 at 06:38 PM
oo. that pillow is really nice. great fabric. and again, beautiful pears!
Posted by: shash | October 12, 2007 at 10:00 PM
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!!!
Posted by: jen | October 14, 2007 at 07:16 AM
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 :)
Posted by: Joanna | October 16, 2007 at 09:43 AM
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!
Posted by: Glynis | October 16, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Lovely colours
Posted by: vera | October 18, 2007 at 09:13 AM
You can find a pattern for making Heather Bailey type pears on Craftster.. and yours are lovely, Miss tomato! Lovely choices of fabric!
Posted by: Pip | November 01, 2007 at 02:50 AM
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.
Posted by: Ravenhill | November 07, 2007 at 12:32 PM
I love the pear with the bright colors oh so very much. Gorgeous pillows too. xoxo
Posted by: Dawn | November 16, 2007 at 05:18 PM
Beautiful pears !
Posted by: lyn | January 17, 2008 at 02:07 PM
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.
Posted by: Kitchen Trove | February 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM