Last week I was forced to remove myself temporarily from Big Blankie's embrace as I'd run out of two crucial colours which stopped us in our tracks for a while. Luckily, I've developed a very good relationship with my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) and they immediately placed an order with the Rowan rep for more yarn in the colours I needed. They recognised my desperation, nodded knowingly and told me they would telephone me the very minute it arrived (which they duly did yesterday, prompting me to drop everything and drive rather speedily down the A56 to screech up outside the shop, rush in and get my hands on the much needed balls).
So anyhow, while waiting for the Lavender and Pier pure wool to arrive last week, I embarked on a small project using up some of my Rowan Cotton DK to tide me over until I could get back together with BB.
I am wondering if you can guess from these pictures what on earth I have been up to?
Is it another roundy-roundy cushion?
A circular mat?
Oh Ok, it has sides....is it the beginnings of another bag perhaps?
Or a container of some sorts?
Ahhhhhhhhh, it's a HAT!!!!
Yes, a beret stylie hat!!! (that was the Little People's guess)
But no, it's not a hat.
ok..let me give you a bit more of a clue....
.....let me show you a bit of tatty old furniture......
......an old painted bit of furniture I bought some time ago from an antiques centre....
....an old stool look......
I just adore old stools, the older and tattier they are, the more I want to rescue them and cherish them. They call to me, beg to be given another chance to be given a useful, appreciated life. I love that they are multi-purpose and can be used either for sitting on, or as little side tables to take care of a pile of books or a mug of coffee or even a plant pot. That they tuck in neatly to small spaces and demand very little.
So this stool has been painted in that rather gorgeous pale duck egg blue that makes me go weak at the knees (exact same colour as the Lloyd Loom chair) and I just had to bring it home with me. As you can see from the above picture, the seat is really quite knackered and worn, yet it didn't feel right to repaint it :: I rather like the distressed look of the paint-chipped little legs, but the seat top just looked down right dirty and didn't clean up very well.
So.....
Here it is.....
My latest hooky project to share with you......
It's a Crocheted Stool Cover look....
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the lovliest things that I am frequently told here in Blogland is that I am "Inspirational". That my crochet projects and use of colour have inspired many of you to create your own little colourful works of hooky goodness. I am hugely flattered by this notion, and just LOVE the idea of so many beautiful ripples of Hooky Creativity spreading out across the world, it really, really, really gives me thrills to think of that!
And I know how fantastic it feels to find Inspiration, to gaze upon something created by someone you've never met and feel an instant zing of appreciation and awe, and feel that hot spark of creativity ignite. Its one of the best feelings in the world I reckon.
So today, I'm happy to share with you not only this latest creation of mine, but the source of the Inspiration behind it too.
Let me introduce you to a lady who I have never met, who's work and the glimpses into her life gives me major heart-flutters and sends hot sparks flying.
Her name is Ingrid, she is a talented Dutch designer/maker and her little company is called "WoodWoolStool". I invite you to take a most delicious stroll through her Photostream on Flickr where she shares the most wondrous glimpses into her daily life, her beautiful home and her fantastic crochet creations.
I just love everything about this lady, she Inspires me so very much.
Alas she doesn't write a blog (and I wish many times over that she did), but she has been written about on some lovely blogs, which you might like to visit with here and here and here.
So this is my own little take on the Wood-wool-stool idea, excepting that mine is wood-cotton-stool.
And I am really rather chuffed with how this roundy-roundy-hooky-hooky thing of mine turned out.
It looks right at home amongst the growing collection of hooky blankets and cushions around and about the place.
Right, I am off to go do some stitchy-stitchy stuff now.
Have a great day, don't forget to make time to stop and sniff some roses at some point, I can highly recommend it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That stool cover looks absolutely magnificent
Julie xxxxxxxx
Posted by: Julie | June 23, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Thats just downright lovely that is! :)
Julia xxx
Posted by: julia | June 23, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Glad to hear that the BB will be back in business. It is so funny that you mention Wood Wool Stool. A friend of mine told me to check out her pics a few weeks ago and I have been inspired by her also. the stools are wonderful but I must say that the blankies she has created grabbed me and won't let go. Too funny that we have been inspired by the same person! :)
Have a grand day Luce!
xxxx
Posted by: Kar | June 23, 2009 at 02:06 PM
The cushion is beautiful! I rather liked the character of the stool before the cushion, though. It's lovely either way. Thanks for the links about Ingrid. Beautiful work, as well. I wish she had a blog!
Posted by: Debbie | June 23, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Love it!! It looks so very cheerful. Hey! I just thought of something. If you want it to be cushy, you can add some foam or padding under it to make the seat more comfortable. Yes? Beautiful crochet, and I love your site.
Posted by: Weedwacker | June 23, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I love your stool cover. Actually I love everything you have created. The colors you use are so cherry, uplifting, and inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Shannon | June 23, 2009 at 02:53 PM
As usual, such beautiful colours :o) Just wanted to tell you about an online shop that I've recently come across. It's called Lana Pura www.lanapura.com and they sell lots of yarn. The best thing about them is they do not charge for postage in the UK. They are very quick with delivery also. I've had yarn arrive the day after I've ordered it! Anyway, just thought you might be interested.
Sam x
Posted by: Samantha Moss | June 23, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Fabulous Lucy!! yet another beautiful hooky creation.So glad your back to your cheerful, creative self because we all miss you when you aren't there. July x.
Posted by: july | June 23, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Giselle | June 23, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Oh! I could faint dead away from the cuteness!! I have to find a stool to cover....
Posted by: Michaela | June 23, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Thank you Lucy for sharing that, what a talented, stylish lady she is, very much like yourself.
Posted by: Nelly | June 23, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Oh, what a stool, I love it!
Posted by: Possumamma | June 23, 2009 at 04:07 PM
What a very clever girl you are. Tick, VG!
Posted by: lucy@theantidote | June 23, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Hi Lucy, love, love, love the cute stool cover, now THAT is truly something I've never seen before....so unbelieveably wonderful...and you can still set things on it! BRILLIANT!!!!! Now, you must give up your secret for handling the space at the end of the rounds...yours are nice and tight and closed up, while mine are not (I'm making your brilliantly cute tote bag..)!!!! Pretty please!!!! :D
Posted by: Jill | June 23, 2009 at 05:05 PM
ohhhh, Lucy...the stool cover is gorgeous! I Have an old 100 year old plus piano stool that could use a cover like that. Once again you have inspired me, dear Lucy. Though I must say I was a bit shocked at your taking up with this "stranger" while waiting on yarn for BB... ;) But now I understand...what was a girl to do!
I love to come here for breaks from my dull political blogging... and writing. It's just what I need to spur me on! Kate~
Posted by: Kate Wells | June 23, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Ahh, that's such a fun project to do! It is perfectly Attic24.
And, you *are* inspirational. After someone sent me a link to your blog, I couldn't NOT start crocheting. And now as a result, I have made a snuggly circles-to-squares blanket for my sister's birthday (things aren't going too well back at home and so the more comforting things I can give her the better, especially as she's away off to university soon), and I have the beginnings of a Big Blankie sat right next to me on my sofa that is bringing me so much joy, I look forward to coming home after work to do some more every day. I was a bit worried that you'd mind me making a blanket the same as yours, I didn't want to "steal" your idea, so I'm glad (and relieved!) to hear that you like inspiring people!
:-)
xxx
Posted by: Heather | June 23, 2009 at 05:54 PM
I found Ingrid's page just yesterday, and today I'm just stunned by your interpretation of her ideas! As written above I also really would like to thank you for your generousity to share your inspiration with all of us!
Now, the summerholiday has started, which means more time to chrochet, so I'm planning to finish my cushion soon. I'm just about half way.
Thanks, thanks and thanks!
Annelie
Posted by: Annelie | June 23, 2009 at 06:12 PM
A great idea ;-)
Posted by: fleur | June 23, 2009 at 06:49 PM
how cool is that more inspiration now I just need to find me a stool:)
Posted by: valerie | June 23, 2009 at 06:55 PM
What a great idea, Lucy - love your bright colors and the lovely worn-ness of the stool, as is! You have gotten me inspired so am taking a crochet hook and some bright yarn with me to the beach for a few days!! Thanks so much...
Posted by: Marianne McCament | June 23, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Hi Lucy! You make so beautiful things and you are very inspirational! I have a question to you; I looked at "books" and you had a book called "mosaic fun colouring book". I have been searching for this book here in Sweden but I can not find it. Can you remember where you bought it? Maybe I could order it from there?
Ann-Charlotte in Sweden
Posted by: Ann-Charlotte Karlsson | June 23, 2009 at 06:57 PM
That is really sweet!
Posted by: Rayia | June 23, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Hi Lucy! Now I HAVE TO find an old stool, it looks fantastic! I oove your colourful world!
Posted by: Anna | June 23, 2009 at 07:31 PM
that is such a brilliant idea and looks fantastic!
xxx
Posted by: wonderwoman | June 23, 2009 at 08:11 PM
I was out blog surfing again and I found you. It's too addictive. I love your site. I haven't crocheted for years, but you make me want to get out my hook. Now sewing is a different story; that's a daily addiction. Take care!
Posted by: Melissa Stramel | June 23, 2009 at 08:41 PM