'Birds & Bees' cushions in Homespun magazine

I was still celebrating the publication of my first project with Homespun magazine when they asked me if I would be interested in designing and making a pair of cushions for their February issue, which has a 'Birds and Bees' special, a cute take on Valentine's Day. Would I?!



I really enjoyed making these whimsical cushions. One in the shape of a bird in a cage, and the other in the shape of a bee hive. They have linen fronts and coordinating fabric backing (birds on one and a honey comb on the other), and the fronts of the cushions are hand-embroidered and appliqued.



There is a full tutorial on both cushions with step by step instructions and images demonstrating each technique used in their construction, as well as a little profile piece on me and my Down Grapevine Lane and crafting journey.

And there you have it. My 'birds and bees' special for this year. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Happy, happy birthday

Down Grapevine Lane is one! My third baby is practically a toddler now... It has been such a busy year but when I look back at all the things I created since starting on this journey I can't help but feel proud. What started as a spare-time hobby has turned into a full time job now. Thanks to every one of you for following my blog and helping me live my dream - doing work I adore and enjoy so much that it doesn't feel like 'work'!

To mark the occasion, I set about making something I have been lusting over for a while - a cupcake pincushion.



I found a free pattern on Ravelry, and sat down one evening with my hook and yarn, aiming to have my coveted pincushion ready in an hour. Not to be. I finished the base and it didn't look anything like in the photos. Nooo! There was a new stitch (back post double crochet) that I had never used before so I thought I must have got that wrong. Not a problem, easy to fix. Google 'bpdc', watch a few You Tube videos, start the base again. Aha! I have to turn the whole thing inside out after I 'turn' in round 3! Finish the base, compare against the pattern image - looks even worse than my first attempt. Getting seriously frustrated now (and it's already bed time). Start again. This time, when I came to round 3, I just ignored where it says 'turn', slip-stitched to join, and kept on following the pattern - and finally! It looks right! I have since discovered it's most likely a typo in the pattern, as others had the same problem as me. Ha!



The dome on mine is a bit higher than in the pattern, I just kept going in the round a little more. And added a rose and a couple of leaves on top (I just made these up myself but there are many patterns on Ravelry for similar).

Such a gorgeous pattern and it really takes no time at all (as long as you remember to ignore that 'turn' in round 3!)



I thought Down Grapevine Lane and its owner deserved a bit of a birthday treat too, so I ordered some Zakka supplies I have had on my wishlist for way too long. I keep a 'Wishlist' board on Pinterest, in the vain hope that, one day, my hubby will remember to check there when looking for a present for me. But he keeps forgetting, so I will just buy them myself then.

Here is my haul - three Zakka books with so many cute projects to choose from, and by some of my favourite bloggers too! I also got some cotton tape and some cute Japanese animal fabric that will make the cutest patches.



Last but not least - a delightful scrap bundle from my new favourite Etsy shop Billycottonshop (which seems to have free shipping all the time!). I am so in love with some of these prints, such a shame the shop doesn't seem to have any yardage left! I haven't quite decided what I am going to make with these scraps yet - patchwork for sure, but what? Any suggestions?