There are lots of lessons to be learned in life. The lesson I learned most recently is that kids are tacky. They like to take an idea and really kick it into overdrive…make sure everyone “gets” it. And that, my friends, is the takeaway lesson behind these house pillows.
I was so honored when Sara from Radiant Home Studio asked me to join her 2nd anniversary blog tour! It’s really exciting because I like Sara and find her patterns so useful and effortlessly classy. I made her Water Bottle holder last year. When I decided to make the Highland Avenue House pillows I got very excited at the prospect of making them in tandem with the boys. I carefully selected a few fabrics and set them to task choosing from my thoughtfully-curated options. They, however, were having none of my selections. In a matter of minutes they pulled everything out from my fabric stash and were joyfully mixing and matching as they pleased.
J said, “I want mine as Christmas-y as possible!!” and C said, “I want mine as colorful as possible!!” and the two of them went to town pairing clashing greens and layers and layers of holiday novelty fabric. They were so excited and so engaged there was no way I could stop it. I had to let the tacky take over. It was as much a joy to watch them as it was a dread.
And, wouldn’t you know it! These two LOVE their pillows. Like, fiercely love them! Because kids love tacky! J sleeps next to his. I cannot help but love them, too. The boys and the pillows! I might not love their fabric choices but I do love that we worked on this project together and I love how exciting that was for them. They both sat with me in my sewing room while I worked on these…chatting and watching. It was impossible for the whole process not to warm my minimalist aesthetic heart!
As for the nitty gritty, the pillows came together very easily. The pattern calls for an invisible zipper at the bottom that I skipped. I didn’t want the boys fiddling with the zipper and removing the pillow insert. Otherwise, I didn’t make any changes. I’d love to make a few of these in, ahem, less “colorful” and “Christmas-y” designs and I love Sara’s small versions as a decorative idea.
Check out the rest of the blog tour and the 2nd Birthday Celebration sale!
Radiant Home Studio 2nd Birthday Celebration:
Monday, Nov. 30th
Radiant Home Studio || Skirt Fixation || Felt With Love Designs
Tuesday, Dec. 1st
A Happy Stitch || Sew Happily Ever After || Call Ajaire
Wednesday, Dec. 2nd
Sew Very || Swoodson Says || Vicky Myers Creations
Thursday, Dec. 3rd
Happy Okapi || House of Estrela || Molly and Mama
Friday, Dec. 4th
Hugs Are Fun || Sew DIY || Made By Sara
Saturday, Dec. 5th
Rebel and Malice || The Wholesome Mama
Sara says
I love these! Seriously, how can you argue with those happy faces? Thanks for participating in the blog tour!
Melissa Q. says
Exactly! I couldn’t deny those lovable faces! It’s my weakness.
Keely Weiland says
I think I love tacky, because they look incredible to me!!
Melissa Q. says
Keely, I adore you! They are incredible and incredibly loved!
Kristine says
Oh my gosh, I love these! This post reminded me of a conversation I had with my niece about the “look” of the skirt I was making for her. She picked the colors and actually “drew” the pattern for me. I can’t say it was the best looking pattern and color combination I see in ages but the joy she had when I gave the skirt to her was priceless!
Melissa Q. says
Oh, how sweet! Yes, this is the best. Plus, I think it enlivens their own sense of creativity and making. Thanks for sharing this story.