Jelly Bean Dream
Ever since I first saw one of Jane’s Jelly Bean cushions I had a dream of one of my own. However, not strictly a jelly bean inspired one.
Mine is the Bougainvillea Cushion, inspired by the pinks and purples of the bougainvillea flowers against a blue Spanish sky and sea. A cushion that when I look at it I think of this view from the terrace at M’s house and am instantly transported back there, to one of the places where I am most happy in the whole world.
Now I can sit on my sofa in the Wintry sunshine in England with my head upon my cushion and think that I can hear the sea in my ears.
Although my finishing leaves a bit to be desired I am so happy that I have finally finished it! I had planned to have it finished a long time before Christmas. In fact round about the time that Jane’s book was released but with all the best intentions time ran away from me. And the age old problem of running out of materials.
So the bottom part of the back is in a multitude of stripes and with an added muted purple that isn’t used on the front.
It still has the required fluffiness to capture the rays of sunlight as they stream through my uncleaned windows though! (Funny isn’t it how you never notice these things until you see photos! Or is that just me?)
One thing I never mentioned at the time for some unknown reason was that I went to a book signing and did actually meet Jane in person! This seems like an opportune time to mention it. And as you can see she signed my book. It was incredibly odd, not only meeting someone for the first time that you feel you know, but someone who you actually admire quite a bit. If it weren’t for Jane there a number of things that I wouldn’t have done. Quilting, sock knitting, jelly bean cushions. I don’t think I said thank-you at the time. I may have stammered something intelligible though. I do that, a lot!
So thank-you Jane. Thank-you for inspiring to make my very own Jelly Bean/Bougainvillea cushion on which my head can dream of clear blue skies and sparkly seas.
What a fabulous cushion, and what a treasured note from Jane. Your lounge looks so inviting!
How beautiful! It came out great!
Well done, Gemma your cushion looks great! What a lovely idea to choose colours to remind you of a place you love!
What a gorgeous cushion, I love the colours, and the back looks great too. I was really taken with these when I read Jane’s book the other week.
What a lovely idea, very impressed and it looks very cuddly and warm.The view looks a little different today, all grey and wet!!!
Gemma! That’s just beautiful. Well done you!
It’s beautiful. I love the way you’ve captured the colours of the flowers – all those wonderful pinks.
I am flattered that you mention me & the book. It was great to meet you and, for the record, you were totally intelligible!
They are very nice. Well done.
Your cushion is lovely, I really like the colours you have used, and the story behind them (especially that amazing pink shrub). great to snuggle up with all the cold english winter.
I love the contrast of colours you’ve chosen, it’s a gorgeous cushion cover, well done!
How exciting to meet someone you admire in person. The cushion is lovely. I think it’s very telling that people are impressed by the whole idea of hand made items. When I was in school (lo these many years ago), we were taught sewing, cooking and homemaking. They were not electives buy part of the curriculum for girls. Now, I don’t often meet anyone who knows how to sew and the people I know who know I knit are very impressed because “it’s a lost art”.
Now that explains why you were asking me about feather cushion fillings. It’s really gorgeous Gemma. I like the back as much as the front actually. Lovely as well that it gives you such lovely thoughts when you look at it. How exciting to have met Jane and to have had your book signed.
Gemma- you are so dang talented. That cushion is just wonderful, I love it : D
Hello, just found your blog via Mollychicken. That cushion is gorgeous, well done. I wish I had the patience!