Thursday 20 May 2010

A Ta~Dah Moment and a 100th Post Giveaway!!!

Hello!

And "Hello" to some lovely new followers too!! While I think about it, I'd like to thank you all for the gorgeous comments you left me on my last post - it makes my day to hear from you!


So, on my last post you may remember me teasing you with a shot of some scrumptious circles that I'd joined together (the original pattern can be discovered at Attic24 for those wondering). I wasn't giving much away was I, but today I can reveal what I've been up to...and Oh My, it's a bit of a scrummy reveal if I do say so myself!

I had the idea to do this Project some time ago, and eventually I weaned myself away from my Rainbow Ripple long enough to do it. This is another In Progress shot...hee hee!!

I wonder if you can guess what it is yet...?
Perhaps this next picture might give you a few clues...

Look at those swoonsome buttons would you? Aren't they just the best buttons for a lovely piece of rainbow infested crochet like that???


Alright, alright...I won't tease you any longer - here is my Ta~Dah moment, imaginary drum rolls please!!
For those of you who haven't guessed already, here is my Rainbow Flower Bolster Cushion!!! Woot Woot!!! Hurrah!!
Brace yourselves for some seriously gratuitous Bolster posing shots:





What do you think? Isn't it the most happy, Rest-Upon-Me-Right-Now looking thing you ever saw?


I was surprised how quickly I managed to do this actually. There are 70 little flowers (circles) that are joined as you go (which speeds things up enormously), and then the two main edges were finished off with white, green, turquoise and blue.

Let me tell you that it was very much a Fumble Your Way Along kind of pattern, in as much as there was no pattern - I made it up as I went along. The end circles are both made up with different colours and finished with some little picot stitches around the edges. You see the main point of this project was to use up oodles of bits of wool I had left over from my Big Blanket, and to be honest I only had to invest in a couple of new balls to supplement what ran out midway, and of course I had to buy the bolster cushion too.

So it didn't cost that much :D

And I love the colourful roly poly~ness of it, sitting on my sofa like a big rainbow sausage roll!


Ahhhh...I do like a good Ta~Dah moment to share with you lovely people!!

In the midst of all this evening crocheting, I found time to make the Little One some Proper Bunting at the weekend. She has been asking for flags in the garden for weeks now, and on Sunday morning I had a flick through Homemade (a gorgeous book by Ros Badger & Elspeth Thompson) and followed their very easy pattern and came up with this, which is now draped about the garden making it look very summery and festive!

Needless to say, there hasn't been much time for any painting this week. The other reason for that is because we are off to Northumberland to spend a few days by the sea and I have been busy washing, ironing and packing like a mad woman. I cannot wait for this little break, it is a much needed tonic for us all!

But before I go, there is one more important thing to share! Yes, today this is my 100th post. I know I am not the most frequent of bloggers and it has taken me quite a while to get to 100 as I generally only post once a week at the moment. But I love it, I enjoy writing my blog, I really enjoy getting to know fellow bloggers out there and the whole experience of reaching 100 posts has been wonderful.

So as a little Thank You to you all, for coming by and reading, following and commenting I would like to offer a Giveaway:

I have a very pretty Cath Kidston address book for you and two seasidey art cards of mine for you!

Isn't that a pretty address book? It's full of pretty designs like the Strawberry one above, and I thought I would treat one lucky reader to their very own as I love mine (the one Im showing you above) so very much indeed.
If you would like to be included in the giveaway, just drop me a comment here and your name will be added to the draw which will be taking place next Thursday the 27th May.

Im off now to treat myself to some new summer footwear, the weather forcast has promised sunshine and warm weather (fingers crossed) so Im away to the shops!!

I will try and catch up with your blogs when I come home, I wish you all a lovely weekend and send you lots of sunshine and happy times!

Love Julia x x x

78 comments:

  1. Thank you sooo much for visiting me! Your bolster pillow is just BEEYOOTEEFULL!!! Very inspiring!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Julia, that bolster cushion is fabulous! I love it! Well done.
    I am liking the bunting very much too, I need to make some to brighten things up around here.
    Hope you have a good break, take care. x

    ReplyDelete
  3. OMG Julia, I have died and gone to heaven! What a fantastic idea! I have a pair of bolster cushions which were on my list for a revamp. I wasn't sure if I was going to recover in fabric and embroider motifs or do a stripey crochet stitch......but what a fab design you have done! I am in awe! Your bunting is pretty damn awesome too! You must have an amazing homely house I bet! Hope the rest of your week goes well and please, please,pretty please count me in your 100th post giveaway...I would love, love, love some of your cards to adorn my house! he he! much love V xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ta Dah indeed!!! Its a beauty!! Your garden looks lovely - love the colour of the shed!! Enjoy your break - hope the weather holds for you. xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my! - Your bolster cushion is just FAB-U-LOUS! And, sits very nicely on the sofa with all it's crocheted companions.

    Well done you for getting to your 100th post. Long may your lovely blog continue.

    Happy shoe shopping.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Clever you julia...what a cheery little bolster!!
    When you get back pop by to my blog as i have a bit of a RaFfLe going on!!!
    Have a wonderful break..i hope the sun shines for you! x

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a simply gorgeous bolster cushion - it's stunning! You are clever.

    Have a lovely break (don't know about you, but I always get in such a tizz before a trip away that I need a break to recover!).

    Hx

    PS. Congrats on 100 posts. Please I can enter your fab giveaway?! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oooh, am so envious of your crochet skills! I follow Attic 24 too and often wish I could create such beautifully crocheted goodies. Yours are gorgeous too, so colourful and cosy.

    Please enter me in to your giveaway, the boy on a boat print on the card is my absolute favourite!

    Thank you, Claire x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Julia, you are so so clever, that bolster cushion is glorious! The bunting looks so lovely in your garden too! You have bee a busy lady!
    Ooh a giveaway...please can I play too?
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Julia. Really love your crochet results :-) I'm hooked on crocheting too at the mo but as yet haven't worked out what I'm gonna make with mine. I just love the effects you can get from using different colour combos. :-)
    A x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I LoVe that bolster cushion so much ~ it is truly fabulous! Congratulations on 100 posts ~ I'm a bit slow with my blogging just now too and have still to reach the dizzy heights of 100 posts! I'd love to be included in your giveaway please :O) x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the bolster cushion!! You are very creative and I always read Lucy! Great give away and I'll do a post about it on my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hop you have a nice holiday, with lots of good wether so you can wear your new shoes. Love the colorfull blogs you make.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well, Julia, that bolster cushion is just lovely and a great way to use up leftover wool... I used mine left over from a large project, to make a stripey bag to carry knitting when I have to go to hospital and sit around. I also made bunting from homemade, and several other things from there as well, it's a lovely book for dipping into and being inspired by isn't it.
    And of course I would love to be included in the giveaway, pretty please.
    Enjoy Northumberland, a gorgeously rugged place to go, we holidayed there many years ago and loved it.
    maggie at laburnumcottage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. 'Oh' Julia your Ta~Dah bolster is absolutely gorgeous and 'yep' absolutely lush - I haven't seen anything like this in my bloggy travels, it is definitely one of a kind and I think it's just lovely....a lot of inspiration there methinks.

    Nina x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love, love, love the bolster and all the other accoutrements around it! Love, love, love the colours! ; ) Big surprise! Ha!

    Have a wonderful holiday and congratulations on your 100th post!

    Hugs ~Andrea~

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your crochet Julia, I am super jealous!
    Please enter me in your giveaway and congrats on 100 followers too xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Like everyone else, I absolutely love the bolster cushion - so pretty. Can I please enter the giveaway!? Have a good break!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love your crochet cushions very cheery :) Not to mention the beautiful bunting, i always say you can't beat a bit of bunting!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Julia!

    I love your colourful bolster pillow...it's marvelous and yes, it is calling me to lay my sore neck on it right this minute!

    so much fun can be had with simple ingredients, right! yarn in gorgeous colours...and a hook!
    wow!

    and yes, please do enter my in your giveaway! I love it!

    congrat's on your 100th post!

    ciao bella
    creative carmelina

    ReplyDelete
  21. Stunning and gorgeous and fabulous and amazing and wonderful. I like it!

    Sue xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oooh so much to love in this post .Your bolster cushion is amazing and I love your bunting too.
    Have a great holiday
    Jacquie x

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are queen of the crochet bolster cushion!!! I bet your little girl loves it too. I have been wanting to make some bunting too to jazz up the back of the garden. You are so prolific and talented in the things you do Julia. Please enter me into your giveaway and congratulations on your 100th post! x

    ReplyDelete
  24. oh my, what a super-duper ta-dah post!!!!!! Such gorgeous bolstery hooky goodness!!! it really is lovely, such a clever design too.

    Yes please do enter me in your giveaway, i love your cards.and enjoy a fabulous bit if R&R up in Northumberland (sigh) how I adore that patch of England...have fun!!!!!

    Lots of love
    Lucexxxxxxxxx
    ps added you to my bloglist, been meaning to do it for an age, your blog is really lovely and a pleasure to visit xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the bolster pillow, what a great idea. I haven't made granny circles in a long time but now I might just have to. I would love to be included in your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow! Love all that colour! Your place must be so cheerful. Lovely makes, and the bunting too. Think I'll be copying that idea with some weatherproof material. Congratulations on 100 posts and enjoy your break. x

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a wonderful bolster cushion - and a mighty fine idea too.
    Your home looks fabulously colourful - all those crochet cushions and blankets, I'm a little envious.
    Enjoy your trip away. x

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love the bolster and the other crocheted goodies seen in the background.
    The bunting is nice too, I made some last year from suzy smith dishcloths. I'd like to make some proper fabric bunting at some point though I'd be loathe to leave it outside (we usually get lots of rain!).
    Congratulations on your 100th post.
    Anne.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Julia
    Your work is just beautiful you inspire me to take out my hook and start replicating your lovely designs!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. So colorful and such a great use of circle crochet.
    Great job. I'm enjoying your blog and look forward to your return.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Julia,
    Oh I just love, love, love your crocheted bolster cushion! It's gorgeous. :)
    Congratulations on your 100th post and please enter me in your generous draw.
    Hope you have a lovely holiday break with your family.
    Vivienne x

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the bolster and it makes me think about all the little crocheted bits and flowers that I have made this winter. I sense a project coming on....

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful! Please go on crocheting :-) Can't wait for the next surprise. ;-)
    Thank you for showing.
    Elke

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow!!!! such wonderful colourful crochet! I love making those little circles but had not thought to join them all together like you have - a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Well done you....!!
    That bolster cushion is making me jump up and down....I want one! I have the cushion but I've been so busy making baby (grandchild) related things...how did you make the frilly bit?
    Take care..
    ps..think I'll be making bunting for the arrival of said grandchild in the UK in June...can't wait!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Congrats on 100 posts! And I love the bolster - it's gorgeous :-)

    Cheers
    Katie

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your an inspiration for us crocheters !!Love your new pillow !
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congratulations on reaching your 100th post.
    I must confess to being a lurker (never commenting, only reading and soaking up the colourful inspiration) but your fab giveaway has bought me out of hiding - your seaside-y cards are soo much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Julia - ✿Happy Reveal✿ That bolster cushion is the most colourful and textured bolster I've ever seen!!

    I adore it! Hope you are doing well my lovely and have a happy day :D


    Louise

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh, that's awesome! I just love the bolster!! It looks so comfortable and cheery :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. the bolster is beautiful well done with the bunting - enjoy northumberland and don't use up all the sunshine before we go at the end of June!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am still completely in awe of your talents Julia and that bolster cushion is to die for.
    I hope you have a super time up there. I would love to know where abouts you are off. My family all live up there and it is where I grew up. I love to go back and visit.
    Congratulations on your posting. I would love to be included.
    Thankyou so much for the opportunity, what a great prize,
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Rachael xx

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow! Wow! Wow! Your bolster cushion is sssssssoooooo good! As a crochet beginner, I am so inspired by such projects! Love your bunting! I have ordered some from a catalogue to hang on our summer house.
    As always, thanks for your inspiring posts! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. that bolster pillow is amazing! I LOVE it! you do such great work! And congrats on 100 posts! Isn't it such a great sense of accomplishment? Thanks for hosting this giveaway... did you make those cards yourself? They're beautiful! I'm such sucker for cards. :) Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  45. That bolster cushion is Fab!!! Love your blog . Louise xx

    ReplyDelete
  46. Very clever and pretty, please can i be entered into your giveaway xx

    ReplyDelete
  47. I absolutely adore your crochet it is so completely up my street! I crochet too but slowly as I keep going back to my knitting ( as I can do that whilst I watch tv, I can't crochet and do anything else!). Jennie x

    ReplyDelete
  48. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  49. What a fantastic idea, your bolster cushion looks superb. I'm very happy to have found your blog with all this wonderful colour and lovely crochet, it's very inspiring and smile-inducing; if it's not too cheeky, I'd love to enter your giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I love your colourful crochet - so cheerful :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh all that lovely crochet - I have been trying to master the "African flower" pattern but it keeps defeating me although my sister Wipso says its so o o easy!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Loving the bolster cushion. I never thought about making one but now you have given me inspiration...

    ReplyDelete
  53. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I found lots of inspiration in you works!!
    thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Julia, I am going to come and find you when I return to the UK and get some lessons... these are all just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  56. i would love to win and congrats on the 100th post!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love your bolster pillow - what a great idea!
    Congrats on your 100th post

    Gill

    ReplyDelete
  58. I saw your cushion in Flickr and loved it,so amazing fresh idea and lovely colors.
    Thanks for the giveaway,so lovely prizes.
    Danijela
    pprincipeta@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Julia
    I love your bolster cushion - what a great idea!!
    Fab colours!

    Gill

    ReplyDelete
  60. Dear Julia,
    The Rainbow Flower Bolster Cushion is such a Waw thing, so much insparation all this colors
    I love it!
    Dikla

    ReplyDelete
  61. What a beautifull cushion you made!
    I love it!!!
    And I love your paintings too!!!
    And my favorite one is in the givaway.
    So please include me!!!
    You have a beautifull blog and I have also admired your Flick'r and added you as a contact. I am very anxious to see what you will make in the future. You are a great inspiration!


    Grettings Tamara.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Wow..!
    I have been having a little nosey round your blog and website, what a very clever lady you are.
    I just love your cards and art work, your crochet is lovely too. I would be very pleased to receive your giveaway, so please count me in.
    Hope your week so far is a good one..x

    ReplyDelete
  63. the bolster is fantastic and I've been meaning to make a bunting for a sweet girl I know...thanks for the little push to get going on it.

    Congratulations on 100!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love, love your cards!
    mira

    ReplyDelete
  65. Have just found you via Attic24. These crochet blogs have been a revelation to me. I have started having a go at the craft myself. Always been more of a knitter. The bolster cushion is a great little project. And I like it that you give us all hope with a project like this if we just muddle through it and use our own imagination. Well done. Sue, Victoria, Australia

    ReplyDelete
  66. Oh have a lovely break Julia and I hope you have some sunshine too. Gorgeous cushion covers you clever thing xx

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi Julia,

    I love your blog and the pictures of your beautiful crochet work. I've just voted for you and I think everybody who reads this blog should vote for you. You deserve the award, you really do.

    Bye!
    Annemarie

    ReplyDelete
  68. Julia i love love love your cushion and your whole sofa in all its rainbow crochet goodness, oh can i copy you? what wool did you use? its scrummy! fliss xx

    ReplyDelete
  69. My first visit here. Wow! Lovely illustrations, colours and crochet creations. Very inspiring indeed. Boom! Up on my bloglist. I'll be back to visit veeeeery often to see your yummy stuff.
    Annette
    My Rosevalley

    ReplyDelete
  70. The first time I've visited here and I really love your illustrations!!! And what a wonderful cushion!!
    I'm very new to this blogging world and really like your blog, would you mind if I put your blog as a link to mine?

    ReplyDelete
  71. Oh Julie, your bolster cushion is scrumptious...I would love a beautiful, bright, happy cushion like that. Colour certainly does influence our moods doesnt it?
    And your bunting is so sweet and festive, heralding a long and lazy summer perhaps?
    Lovely to catch up on the posts I missed while the computer was out of action...so sad I missed your lovely giveaway though.
    Love you sketches and of course I think that owl is very precious...I can just see him with a little patchwork chest. Your creatures are divine.
    Lovely seaside photos.

    Jacky xox

    ReplyDelete
  72. Dear Julia, your polster pillow is the most wonderful! And really great idea for those round-crochet peaces!
    Best wishes Teje

    ReplyDelete
  73. Your bolster cushion is simply stunning! It made my day, such pretty colors! Great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. thanks for inviting me to your blog today! the bolster cushion is just lovely! I'd love one of your address books.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I realy love the bolster. I will make one soon. Would love to be in your give away.

    thanks for sharing

    Ruth Miracle

    ReplyDelete

Hello, and thank you for visiting my Blog today. If you would like to leave a comment, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...