Thursday, July 29

Pillow Talk

I'm crazy about the beautiful pillows I see on everyone's blogs. 
Ann, Sissie, Lori, true pillow masters in my opinion.
I had 3 birthday gifts to make this month, so I decided
(for better or worse)
to try my hand at some of my own.
So here you go.
A trio of pillows Tarnished & Tattered style!

This one was for my Mommy Dearest
(my Step Mother dubbed herself that when we were little)
The elements I selected were very important.
The pillow is a belated Mother's Day gift.
I know, I'm a loser, but I'll play that triplet card!

Her own sweet Mother, Alice O'Connor loved visiting Ireland.
The runner used for the slipcover is pure Irish linen. 
 It was like new, an unusual choice for me.  I usually prefer things that look like they've been dragging behind a car for 100 miles, and then stomped on.
The sheet music I selected is a standard,
A Little Bit of Heaven They Call Ireland

The image I chose was my Grandmother's graduation photo.  I made a transparency over a poem about Mothers.
My friend Maureen supplied the gorgeous mother of pearl pin.

This one is for my sweet blog friend Julia.
Inspired by my love of nature, my bff Dawn & the awesome Michelle Palmer whose sketch on canvas is part of my patchwork design.

For Bolton lovers everywhere, a nod to a very famous photo of Sister Janets home. 
 The first time I ever saw a torn out suitcase pocket hanging on a wall.
******Update:*********
I just wasted spent a day looking for said picture of Janet's collage of nautre over her bench.
 Obessed.
Then couldn't stop looking at my old ME Home Companions.
 Maybe the picture was in Country Living??
******Update to the Update******
Photo found
Publisher unknown
My third pillow. 
 This was a favor for a dear friend & surrogate Grandmother, Judy. 
She requested a pillow with a photo of her precious Granddaughter to give to her DIL.
This project was a huge challenge, the photo was new & color. Changing the tone to sepia helped a lot.
I have mixed feelings about the result, but her DIL loved it. 
That's what counts.

My first class at Maureen's sold out, but we're adding a second class.  Check her blog for information!
I have more news to share with you on my next post.
Until then, have a creative day!!

44 comments:

Claudia said...

You never cease to amaze! For a first time at some pillows...all I can say is WOW! They are gorgeous, Lisa. All the recipients will be thrilled, I can tell you that for sure.

xo
Claudia

Connie said...

Oh my gosh, that pillow is gorgeous and very creative, sugar! I need to do something like that but I have so many now I don't know where I'd put it. Oh, chick, I am astounded by its beauty.....
xoxo,
Connie

Karen said...

Lisa you did wonderfully! They are all gorgeous and it's guaranteed their recipients will love them! OMG!
How funny! You "play the triplet card . . . " that's great!
Have a wonderful day!
Karen

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Oh Lisa, your pillows are so beautiful, I especially love the one with the baby picture, you have truly out done yourself!!! hugs~~~ Daphne

Anonymous said...

When I saw the gorgeous pillow with the nest and birds, I was going to copy it and send it to Dawn!!! It looked just like her taste, and then I realized you had made it for her!!!! She will be thrilled, I know I would be. The pillows and your blog are great.
Thanks for sharing. Marcy
mantle@piedmontcenter.com
www.queenmarcyoriginals.typepad.com

mary pernula said...

Very, Very cool! Thanks for sharing. I have been given a lovely pillow like this from my new blog buddy, and I can tell you it is a wonderful work of art. HUGS MARY

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Hi Lisa,
Your pillows are so gorgeous and sentimental. Love them. I like making them too because there are never 2 alike.
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

FABULOUS! Every one is fantastic. Love the suitcase pocket!!

At Home in English Valley said...

The pillows are lovely, and so creative. I collect suitcases and never thought to use the pockets.

The French Bear said...

Love, love ,love these!!!!!
Very beautiful!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Booklinks said...

Wow... these are the most wonderful cushions I have ever seen!!!
You are so talented!!!

Sandy Navarro said...

Lisa, these pillows are FabUlous! You have such a talent and I would be overjoyed to have any one of them.

Tina said...

Those pocket pillows are georgeous Lisa - love them. Especialy the one with the bird theme - sign...
Lucky those to receive one.
xo Tina

Dorthe said...

Lisa ,
You made the pillows look so gorgeus, they are so very beautifull,all. The blog friend gift (wonder whom that is:) )pillow,are fantastic ,love the pocket with birds relatet items, and the last one so very pretty with all the beautifull laces you used,dear, can`t get enough of them, they are FABULOUS, dear.
Happy for you,taht your first class is already full.....
Big hug, and love
Dorthe

Unknown said...

Those pillows are AMAZING! Although I love all 3, there is just something special about one for a Grandma with a special picture on it. I know it was a lot of work, but it paid off.
Denis

Unknown said...

Your pillows are wonderful, I think you are a pro and no one will think this is you first time at it! I think you can do about anything! Beautiful and yummy!! XOXO

Netty said...

So gorgeous, they will love them forever. Annette x

Cindy said...

Lis! Your pillows are gorgeous!!!! You did a fab job on all three! Ah,yes, the Boltons...now I must go dig out my MEHC's to take a trip down memory lane myself. I think it was Rose (the Mom) that used to hang the plates backwards...so ahead of their time!

-c

Diane said...

Lisa, you are an amazing talent!!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I too love the 3 amazing ladies' pillows that you mentioned ~ now I am adding Lisa's pillows in too! They are just wonderful!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Those look amazing. I love how so much thought and care went into each one.

Beth Leintz said...

A sold out class- your reputation as a great teacher is getting around!

Your pillows are wonderful- and I recognized the Dawn influence in the second one right away.

Keep stitching sistah....

(and keep dragging those linens behind your car)

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa.....I am drooling over your pillow creations. You have put such thought and detail into each one and it's very clear that you made them with lots of love.
I ain't got nuttin on you girl! You rock, you rule, you make me jealous of your uber talent!

Keep it up because the next thing I know you will be all over the
big magazines. At least I can say that I knew you when.

hugs
Sissie

sjmcdowell said...

Hi Lisa,

I am in love with your pillows!!
They are all so unique and beautifully thought out.
I have to tell you that I also posted about a pillow and a story that goes with it on my Blog earlier. I had made the pillow to hold a vintage wedding photo that I had given as part of a swap for A Swap For All Seasons and my buddy was Mary Pernula. I just noticed that Mary was here on your blog and commented on your pillow and added about the pillow that I had made her....so cute!!

I had also tucked sheet music in the pocket for my pillow!!

Great minds think alike!!

Hugs and Smiles,

Susan

Susan said...

Lisa,
I think you scored 3 for 3! All the pillows are lovely. Great details, especially the suitcase pocket!
Susan

Unknown said...

All three are simply beautiful...but the one you created for your mother is just exquisite....

Anonymous said...

All gorgeous, Lisa!
Hugs! Diane

Anne Lorys said...

Only YOU could try something you've never tried before and have it turn out so fabulous! You're like freakin' Martha Stewart over there, sheesh. ;-)

Hey, good news! I'll have a phone again tomorrow, woo hoo!!!!!

Kateyed said...

Lisa,
i adore your pillows, especially the bird one. You did am incredible job for your first time.

I am dong some sachets for a swap and this is kind of how I imagine them.

Suz

Anonymous said...

These are great! Time to get my creativity going again :)

Sandy said...

Lisa,

Everything you touch turns to pure magic! I am so hitch hiking my way to GA and under the dark cover of night I will pry open our feathered friends window and sneak inside and snatch that pillow!!! Who am I kidding, that would never work, I'd get caught gawking and drooling all over her amazing stuff ;) Over the top gorgeousness!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hey Lisa, good to hear from you! Vacations can kill you, especially with youngin's. You're so descriptive, I can just see your car! Well, what can I say?...the pillows are amazing, but with you as the creative genius they would be! Each time I come here I'm totally inspired!
love ya,
Debra

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Lisa:
Your pillows are fabulous! (I'm not surprised in the least!) I've been busy finishing quilts and will start something completely new next week.

My package should be at its destination by now. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all your help.
xoxo
Donna

nancy huggins said...

Love the Pillows..great ideas for some Christmas gifts and also really loved the wall with suitcase pocket and other things..I will definately be trying something similiar to that for my wall in new house :)
Thanks for sharing some great ideas and inspiration

Shopgirl said...

This post is beautiful, your pillows the whole idea, the antique look is delightful. I hope you are having a wonderful summer...I know you are have a creative one. Hugs, Mary

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi sweet Lisa, I just LOVE my pillow!!! It's awesome, fantastic, fabulous, gorgeous, amazing, superb, beautiful and every other wonderful adjective I can think of :-). Thank you very much again, dear friend! I hope you had received my e-mail of yesterday morning.
The other two pillows are very pretty too. I'm sure the ladies must have been as excited and happy as me. If not, there is still some space on our couch :-).
Have a great weekend, dear Lisa!
Big hugs,
Julia

Gaby Bee said...

I always love coming here to see what you are creating. These pillows are incredible! I would have difficulty choosing a favorite. All are stunning!
Gaby xo

Becca said...

Lisa, your work is beautiful! I especially love the transparency.

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Lisa girl you rock my socks off with your talent !!

They are absolutely beautiful !!!

xoxo
Lori

Robin said...

What beautiful pillows you have created here Lisa! Your talent is endless and amazing.

marie said...

All three pillows are beautiful ~ but my favorite is the one you made for your friend Judy. It's amazingly beautiful!

I'd love to use that idea, if I may!?

The Tin Rabbit said...

Is there anything you can't do???? You are soooooooo talented!!! These pillows are GORGEOUS, absolutely beautiful, gorgeous!!!! I think, I'll pack mine that I'm working on up and throw 'em into the back of the closet! Your friends are going to love these and cherish them forever! Have a wonderful weekend! Ann

Cindi said...

Oh my OH! Absolutely gorgeous. No other words will suffice.

The Feathered Nest said...

Good grief woman...THESE ALL ARE SO GORGEOUS!!!!! Each beautiful in it's own precious way ~ but you KNOW my fave has to be the one with the nest and luggage pocket....I just can't help myself!!! Us Bolton stalkers have to stick together! I'm sure each and every recipient is over-the-top in love with their pillow ~ hugs and love, Dawn