brought to you by the color yellow

It appears as though this blog is now officially brought to you by the color yellow. And French Knots. And dear friends who are kind enough to share their gorgeous linen stash (thank you, Jean!) when I really need it (yes, sometimes one really does need linen).

New pillows! With some vintage green doilies I picked up somewhere (can't remember), some french knots, and the back 'leaf' fabric also gifted from Jean (she says it was from Superbuzzy last year). The back is two overlapping panels, with some (handmade, because I'm addicted to making it) linen bias binding holding it all together.

Yes, I made some less than a year ago - in the very same colors, even. Oh, and I loved that Merrimekko fabric! But, unfortunately, the back fabric was white. The key word being "was" - in the very past tense. Now they're more a mash-up of jelly, crayon, and some good old-fashioned mold on top (from sitting on the basement floor waiting - for a very long time - to be washed. Nice.). The front pieces can and will be salvaged for something else, but the pillows needed to go.

The couch needs to go too, but I'm still holding out. Every single time I walk into a thrift or antique store, I visualize the perfect vintage couch, green velvet, please, with dark wood. Soft but not too squishy. And under $400. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she? These pillows will match that couch quite nicely. They're just waiting for it.

Then again, maybe I should ditch the couch(es) altogether and just make more pillows. And quilts. I have a feeling I could rally some family support for that idea...

Comments

[Suzanne (a blog fan)]

I may have that same couch, too, especially if it's the PB Grand one. As much as we hate it (bought nearly four years ago in my 8th month of pregnancy -- enough said, huh), it does make the PERFECT fort, castle, boat -- you name it for our 4, 3 and 1 year olds! Even though we rarely sit on it anymore -- it's really not comfortable any longer -- I will be so sad to part with it one day knowing the kids have spent so many happy times on it (and under it, and behind it, and so on!).

[Sharon]

Funny... I was peeking at your site, as I do, and my daughter said over my shoulder, "Oh, you're checking on our little friends." Our little cyber-friends... :-) Love the spring look! So pretty and fresh!

[amy h]

I love that leaf fabric!

My two-year-old likes to pretend to nap on the floor with pillows and blankets, too. No actual napping ever occurs though.

[Anna]

YOUR BOOK ARRIVED TODAY!

[Sarah]

Love, love, love the pillows. Any chance you would let us come live with you in your beautiful house? Ok, just kidding, but no matter how hard I try, our house never seems to look so lovely. Thanks once again for the inspiration!

[Kristy]

I wish you lived near me as I saw the almost perfect sofa for you the other week. It was 1950's green and slightly curved, no wood.It did having matching armchairs though and would have set you back a massive £30($60)!!!

[Tam]

I love your site found through myhappylittlelife blog. You are an inspiration to me. I have not embroidered since I was 21 almost 1 years ago. I am inspired to start again. Any tips on a good sewing machine to buy for a beginning sewer.

[Annie]

Your pillows look like springtime! I love how the colors brighten up your living room.

[Jude]

I love that you admit to the mold! I feel you pain...but think of it this way...if your stuff wasn't so well 'loved' by the kiddos you'd never have the fun of replacing it! Love the doily thing you have going on. I have noticed that idea popping up in magazines and I am sure they are copying you! We saw it here first!!!

[Linda]

All so beautiful, Amanda. How do you attach the doilies to the fabric? And how do you stop your kids untying the ties? :)

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

My granny passed down a dark green velvet sofa with wooden trim to me. It's all rolly and plush with faded golden tassels. It's also in a storage room in NC and has been for about 15 years now. Heartbreaking. And thanks for telling us you have pillows that had grew mold, it feels good to be in great company! Tracey

[jenny]

What a wonderful way to brighten and freshen your lounge until the thrift shopping comes through with the goods! My grandfather always used to say that good things come to those who wait! I too am a doilie fan. You can never have too many. I love your blog and visit every day. Thank you for sharing so much of your days with us. - Jen

[Rubyellen]

I love the sound of your dream couch... and the price is dreamy too!

[heather]

I'm just catching up, we enjoyed a sweet little vacation with special friends. About that easter basket thing... me too! I couldn't find them anywhere and it worked out fabuously because I cut up some cheap minty green acrylic yarn for easter grass in the baskets (the ones I dumped the cloth napkins out of...) and they loved it. Now we have bits of mint yarn everywhere... way better than plastic green shreds!!!

[Kathryn Johnson]

We have that same couch! We are in need of a new one too (with 3 1/2 year old & 18 month old boys, my sofas are officially stained beyond repair)!

[Susan94]

I love the doilies on the pillows. It looks so fresh and clean for Spring. Thanks for sharing.

[Rach]

Gorgeous. I also have thrift/vintage store visions. Mine are of chairs, which I am a little too crazy about, and the perfect Danish (Danish style in reality) sideboard. I actually dream of finding the sideboard and frequently bring home chairs to feed that desire... Good luck finding the couch.

[Amanda]

I have that same couch and I cannot wait to get rid of it! Why? Let me count the ways that couch is the bane of my existence!! I hope you stumble upon your dream couch soon....I know mine is out there somewhere!

[chris]

It looks like spring in your house!!!

[Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home]

Those pillows are just lovely. So bright and springy. You've inspired me, as my couches are desperately in need of some new pillows. Thanks for sharing!

[susaninfrance]

keep looking...i found a wonderful high end brand name but old couch at salvation army for $50. I haven't had it redone yet but just throw a quilt over it until I decide what fabric--it'll happen for you- with all your super fabric and quilt finds!!

[amanda]

do you have a pattern for these pillows? i love them and am in the process of redecorating my room and would love to make some. your stuff is AMAZING

[hanna]

yes! YELLOW! I went thrifting today and was craving yellow things to find. I realised it's from reading your blog! I love the doilie pillows, how sweet

[Livia]

Nice pillows! And a little hint from Finland: it's Marimekko, not merrimekko.

=o)

[Rennae]

I have the couch in green velvet with tufted backs, and two matching arm chairs and they have the dark wood feet and arms. I found them a few years ago now, at the Op (thrift) shop. When I first saw them they had a hold sticker on them, but after a few laps of the shop I saw them taking it off. I raced over and claimed them straight away, $250(AU) for the set. I love them and they are now in need of recovering. They are just having a little rest in my sewing room, until I can afford it. I also scored a brown velvet tufted back couch for $65(AU) and this lives in our study and is a wonderful place to take a nap. Then in our living room we have two boring beige mass produced couches and I really don't feel the love for them, like I do the others, and I'm starting to ask myself why we even have them.

[brandie]

those are some lovely pillows! and i have dreams of new a new sofa, too. someday...

[sarah Jane]

where is your couch from? We have the EXACT same one. I bought mine at a warehouse sale when we were first married (7 years ago) and I never knew where it was from. Funny, to see the same design and same couch on your blog! I have been wanting more color on my throw pillows, and scared to do yellow with the khaki, but looks like I can do it. Thanks for the inspiration! But really...if you remember about the couch...I would love to know!

[geek+nerd]

Oh my gosh - our couch is an atrocity! At Christmas time I was on a road trip thrifting in Baltimore when I came upon the most perfect couch (for me) in the world. It had kind of clean modern lines - yet it was squishy all over, bold cobalt blue velvet, and instead of three cushions it had two extra large ones - and it was oversized...maybe 8 feet? $150. I almost died. And we had a little Volkswagon Jetta with us, no way that couch was coming home to New Hampshire tied to the top of that! - my husband practically had to carry me out of the store! It was definitely the thrift that got away!

[Freefalling]

Oh - I saw that exact lounge suite in our op shop yesterday!
Green velvet, dark wood and I think it was around $100!!!
Shame we live 10,000km away or I'd send it to you!!

[Lisa]

You've got greating thrifting mojo so I fully expect to read about a spectacular vintage couch find in a post in the not too distant future. Good luck, happy hunting, love your cushions and - my oh my - how sweet is that resting child?

[Diane]

I chuckled at your couch comment, because as I was scrolling down and looking at your photos, I saw yours and thought - yes, that is the kind of couch I want! I have been dreaming of a new couch too one of these days. Been married 30 years, haven't bought new furniture yet, but hey all my stuff does come with interesting stories! But I have been looking at couches from Ikea, but don't care too much for their choice of materials - but thought maybe with the kids in college we could possibley handle a solid color khaki/tan couch - but I don't know, I still am pretty messy! Anyway - I think your couch looks lovely, and so do all of your pictures!

Diane from Michigan

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[charlotte]

you might be amazed at the difference a white slipcover would make to the couch. and taking the back cushions off - just use your own cushions – no need for big padded numbers at the back.

I did that to our sofa I really don't like and I love it now. It's suddenly all spacious and wonderful.