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
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
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
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
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
Thats just downright lovely that is! :)
Julia xxx
Posted by: julia | June 23, 2009 at 02:01 PM
That stool cover looks absolutely magnificent
Julie xxxxxxxx
Posted by: Julie | June 23, 2009 at 01:50 PM
I just love all your bright colours, so cheerful and a treat for the eyes. Your stool looks amazing.
Posted by: June | June 23, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Lucy, hermoso. Yo ya había encontrado la página de woodwoolstool y me encantó.Mi marido me prometió que me va ha hacer un banquito con madera encontrada en la calle y yo voy a tejer la parte de arriba.
Tu taburete redondo está buenísimo. Realmente me encanta todo lo que hacés. Un abrazo enorme. Andrea desde Argentina.
Posted by: Andrea | June 23, 2009 at 01:35 PM
O my goodness. This is gorgeous. I love it.
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | June 23, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Fantastic links on this post, if i could crochet then i would be inspired by Ingrid too. I like your version just as much as hers.
Aqeela xx
Posted by: Aqeela | June 23, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Very inspirational Lucy. Just love the stool cover.
Posted by: Gina | June 23, 2009 at 01:08 PM
oh wow! well done, that looks fantastic, as do ingrid's pictures on flickr. i think you should give yourself a big pat on the back for all the inspiration you provide, everytime i pop by attic 24 i really really really wish i could crochet!
x
Posted by: bex | June 23, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Lucy, hai sempre delle idee fantastiche!!!!
Posted by: Simo | June 23, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Gosh Lucy you've perked that up no end and given an old stool a real new lease of life. Crikey isn't that Dutch lady cool and glamourous! I'm inspired, in awe, and feel even shabbier than before! Lovely pictures though, thanks for sharing.
Glad to see you feeling chirpier, everyone has dodgy week every now and again. Good to here you back to your jolly old self.
Stephx
Posted by: Steph | June 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I love it , thanks for the link to Ingrid's Flickr , her work is ( just like yours :) very inspiring .
Posted by: trudette | June 23, 2009 at 12:56 PM
It's great! -- Love it!
Posted by: Angie | June 23, 2009 at 12:48 PM
This is quote clever!
Posted by: Brianna | June 23, 2009 at 12:46 PM
That is absolutely beautiful Lucy - bravo!
Have a lovely, lovely day,
Nina x
Posted by: Nina - Tabiboo | June 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Absolutely adorable! And you're right, I checked out Ingrid's Flickr . . . head over heels, heart flutters, butterflies in stomach!! Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | June 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM
magical! such a problem - to sit on it or to sit and look at it - I think half and half - I'd keep switching over - here, there, here, there! t.xx
Posted by: kitschen pink | June 23, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Hi Lucy! So nice to see how I inspired you :D
I never covered a round stool,only square ones. It looks nice, the stool is very beautiful. I love old stools! Have a nice day. Ingrid, Wood & Wool Stool
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodwoolstool/3199073362/in/set-72157612598756670/]
Posted by: Ingrid | June 23, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Love your revamped stool, and great links too. Those woodwool stools are amazing.
Posted by: joy williams | June 23, 2009 at 12:20 PM
It looks fabby, Luce. Funnily enough, I picked up a old crochet booklet at the car boot sale recently and there was a crocheted cover for a stool in there. The picture is in black and white so it doesn't look as zingy as yours! It also had spots on it. Anyway, yours is gorgeous - but will you let anyone sit on it?!
Hen x
Posted by: Hen | June 23, 2009 at 12:18 PM
A great idea, I would love to do that as well - just need to find an old stool. Your colours make me smile!
Posted by: Siena | June 23, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Oh you clever lady. Your stool cover is absolutely charming, delightful seems a pretty good word to use as well. Will you be sharing the stitchy-stitchy stuff? Oh, I do hope so.
Posted by: Mandy | June 23, 2009 at 12:02 PM