DIY Joy Cushion

I LOVE Christmas, and I am starting to think about what creations need creating for this year's display.

I'm not sure where I first saw this cushion idea (may have been on Pinterest).

but here is my version.

I love how this cushion fits into the red and white colour scheme of my sitting room. You could use a red cushion with white felt if you prefer.

I went to the local homeware store and bought an off-white cushion (sale price $8), and some red felt from the fabric store (cost $2). The word joy letter template is off the web.

 

Cut out the template letters.  Pin to felt, cut out felt letters.

Lay out double-sided iron-on fusing, and draw around the outline of the letters using a pencil. Do a mirror image of the J. 
Use a hot iron to bond the fusing to the felt letters. Trim edges.

Peel off the backing paper from the double-sided fusing. Remove the cushion inner from the cushion and place felt letters in the centre overlapping the letters slightly.  Hot iron and fuse in place.

Top stitch with white cotton (red if your felt is white) around the letters using a sewing machine. Embellish (sequins, buttons, etc if you desire), but I chose to leave mine plain.

And there you have it...a joyous Christmas cushion, that's quick and easy to make.

Joy word template

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Aqua Blue Beaded Gourd...

 I went through my gourd growing stage a few years back...

Amazing plants to grow, but you do need a huge amount of room if you grow more than one plant. 

We had gourds coming out of our ears! 

  

Every shed roof, even the miniature pony shelter shed, at Mia Bella Gardens had gourds on top drying!

Oh, and the trampoline was covered in drying gourds too.

 Friends and family got decorated gourd gifts, and people found out we grew them and wanted them for their own crafts or cultural uses.

 A lot got given away, and then the corn field was harvested, and the hungry rats decided they were delicious too.

So that was the end of the gourd growing era. 

I might try again sometime, with maybe just one plant on a trellis, or espaliered.

This gourd was painted a lovely aqua colour once the top was removed.
Holes were drilled around the top edge, so it could be decorated with beads and cord.

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#gourdart  #gourds

Ella...

Ella is a mixed breed moggy....we are sure she has British Blue in her as she has a big round face and tiny ears.  She's just like a big teddy and has the most stunning green eyes.

She is best friends with Tucker dog...they do everything together.

Very cute to see them sleep together at night, and sunbathe on the driveway on hot days.

Ella smooches Tucker too.