Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Finished Pillow

I finished up my pillow for Pillow Talk Swap 4 last week. I've had a terrible time trying to get good photos...the snow outside makes it impossible for me to do an outdoor photo shoot, and I can't seem to get good shots inside. Any suggestions from seasoned photographers?

I added patchwork border in aqua, orange and pink and then finished it up with some Kona Snow. You almost, just almost, need sunglasses to look at this pillow it is so bright. But I think my partner will like it...she said she likes colour and I took her word for it.


The back was inspired/copied from this gorgeous pillow. I used my new favourite colour combo of yellow and aqua and a heaping of Kona Snow.


The pillow finished just under 20" square. I only have an 18" pillow form, but I think it would fill out beautifully with a 20" form. Now I just have to put together some goodies for my partner and it will be in the mail.

Finally, because I'm curious nosy, I'm wondering, did you take advantage to all of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday fabric sales? I was so, so, so tempted. I even filled up a few carts over at Sew Mama Sew and Fabric.com only to cancel my order. In the end, I just made one impulse buy at Solidia's Etsy store for some hard to find fabric.

I admit, those sales were so hard to resist. But I really am trying to be more responsible with my fabric purchases. One look around my sewing room shows that I already have more fabric than I can use. And just when I was thinking about the expense of my hobby, I came home to read this fabulous post about money and crafting by Jacqui at Hazelnuts (an Edmonton girl living in New Zealand). Go and have a read (the comments too)...it is thought-provoking and it helped me to be thankful for what I have instead of lusting over all the gorgeous fabric on sale all over the internet.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

9 comments:

~Michelle~ said...

I actually resisted all sorts of sales...trying to just buy what I need to buy for gifts...

In an answer to your photography question... do you use a DSLR? I can't remember if you have one... I just got this for mine: http://www.amazon.com/LumiQuest-LQ-051D-Soft-Screen/dp/B000B5H2BE/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I39QGM54QXLIXL&colid=1QAVTU0V43KZQ

it helps to reduce some of that direct glare from the flash - and I'm not ready to be as fancy as setting up a light box, so this is helping...

by the way, funky photos or not, that pillow is really fantastic!

Darci said...

Well I love the pillow!

For the photography part of it I have my camera set to manual and then I can fix the ISO and aperture myself and I don't need the flash and the lighting works out great when I adjust all the settings. Does that make since?

Jacqui said...

Ah yes, the abandoned shopping cart! I almost had one at Sew Mama Sew but managed to just step away and repeat to myself "I want it I don't need it, I want it I don't NEED IT". It was hard though! I also managed not buy anything from Spoonflower when they had their free shipping. Go me!

And thanks for the kind words about my post :)

I always try not to take photos inside because of the awful lighting, but I came across this post about making yourself a quick light diffuser awhile ago and gave it a go just to see and it was pretty good - even using a point and shoot.

http://www.diyphotography.net/the-party-bouncer-is-back-in-business

Poppyprint said...

Ok, I totally need to go and read that post, but FIRST can I just say that you rocked that pillow!!! It's a beauty. I did avoid the sales (very proud of myself) especially considering the gazillion newsletter Black Friday notices that I got in my inbox. Thank goodness I was too busy preparing for retreat to shop. I think I need to get a new credit card because I've conveniently memorized the number of my current one...just that step of leaving the office to find my purse might be enough of a deterrent to curb impulse on-sale-fabric-buying.

Lexilooo said...

This pillow is gorgeous! I am taking part in the PTS for the first time and I am so excited about it! Every picture I see is so beautiful!

Nanette Merrill said...

This is not an easy project. You did such a great job. You have mad skills girl.

Kelly said...

Whoo hoo! It's mine! I love love love it Barb! Thank you!

Lindsay Conner said...

QB... Would you be interested in swapping links? I added you to my Blog sidebar http://www.lindsaysews.com. Let me know! lindsay.conner(at)gmail(dot)com

C said...

The pillow looks awesome!