Tuesday, April 5, 2011

5 minute pillow therapy

quilt square
My mother sent several vintage quilt blocks with the sewing machines. They were each pieced with wonderful bits of unusual fabric, but this one was my favorite. Bark cloth with green pastures and happy cows, orange flowers dancing across a turquoise sky background, and even an overalled farmer happily working... what's not to love? My desire for warm weather might be influencing me here, but look at those thoughtful little stitches. I am certain that the person that held the needle would want me to  treasure it and put it to use.
stitches
I had some scraps of  cotton that were already just the right size for an envelope backing. No cutting was even needed. A few pins and a couple of seams... 5 minutes later and we have a new pillow for our sun/playroom. Even the current falling snow can't dampen the bright happy spring feeling this little cushion holds.
little spring pillow
I've been so overwhelmingly busy and, of course, got sick. What a combo! Sewing this up was the perfect way for me to transition back to a place of balance. Whether it's a little sewing project or preparing a special meal, recognizing what creative projects bring us satisfaction (at any given moment) can be as powerful as a mini therapy session. Have you been making anything lately that brought some healing? Pin It

16 comments:

  1. What a great pillow. Creating things is always, always therapeutic to me. I hope you start feeling better.

    Jody

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  2. Unusual fabrics indeed, and a bright adorable pillow! Enjoy, and get well soon Maya!

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  3. that is so springy and cute. what a concept - doing "more" to calm down! you just gave me the courage to sew the pillows i've been wanting to freshen up my dreary living room!

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  4. An absolute treasure you lucky girl.

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  5. Spunky little pillow. I love the green farm fabric in the corners :)
    Do hope you are feeling better!

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  6. I love your pillow. Its funny that you talk about finding a place of balance again. After a month or so of runny noses, coughing, fevers, vomiting I was at the end of my rope and totally out of creative energy. Last night I had 3 courgettes left in the fridge. Not much else. My neighbour had given me a handful of beans from her garden. We had the most spectacular salad (thanks to Jamie Oliver!) with chilli, garlic, mint, olive oil, lemon and those beans and courgettes. "I feel alive again" I said, out loud while we were eating it. My husband and kids just giggled!

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  7. This pillow is beautiful - such lovely fabric and it has turned out so well as a bit of spring colour for your playroom. I'm busy crocheting a blanket at the moment, lovely metative time away from everything that it giving my life a bit of balance.

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  8. I absolutely know what you are talking about; I even wrote my art therapy dissertation about the use of craft as therapy. And the best ones are those little mini projects that just bring instant joy. I can definitely feel it in this post, the pillow is gorgeous!

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  9. It's the perfect spring pillow, Maya. I need to squeeze in a little bit of creating each day. It keeps me sane and makes me happy.

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  10. Super pillow cover!
    I just got operated and knit a lot, making things helps me always to find back (and keep!) balance.

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  11. That pillow looks so cheery and cozy and warm in front of the snowy scene out your window. As much as I love all bark-cloth, that turquoise and orange print is what's speaking to me now. So cute!

    When I need a creative pick-me-up it has to be something that can be finished quickly, like earrings, stretchy bracelets, or your pillow. If it takes too long, it has the opposite effect!

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  12. The pillow turned out darling.
    I'm sewing a dress for my daughter for her seventh birthday. Sewing isn't something I usually do and I am enjoying how nice and meditative it can feel (except when I am unpicking mistakes...).

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  13. oh i LOVE that pillow sooo much! great job!

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  14. it is beautiful, and truly gives that lovely block a special new life. Hope you're feeling better!

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  15. What a great pillow!
    A friend just gave me some quilt blocks made by her great-grandmother's housekeeper in the mountains of Virginia, 70+ years ago, and I've been mulling what to do with them (besides the obvious) and this might just be the thing!

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