Monday 21 May 2012

Kitty Cushions and Crochet

A while ago i was delighted to be contacted by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to design a kitty cushion for crafty cat lovers to make for the homeless cats and kittens regularly brought in to Battersea, especially at this time of year........the cushion can be made from any scraps of fabric, there is a cute kitty template and full instructions are available to download from the Battersea website here.........
 .......my  current red white and blue theme influenced me here as you can see......but the kitty cushion can be made  in any choice of fabrics or colours that you like..........
 ..........i like the idea of a pink floral background, a pretty blue ditsy applique kitty, a simple patchwork background or  bold stripes.....all work equally well, and with the added padding and tiny bit of quilting the little cushions will provide a comfy place for the kittens to sleep while they wait for new loving owners....and then the cushion can go with them to their new home in the base of  their kitty carrier too.....
....so if you feel like doing a bit of sewing and would like to help in the kitty campaign do pop over to the Battersea website and read all about it there........Battersea do such wonderful work and never turn away a homeless dog or cat.........
 .....i just had to include this adorable kitty peg here which i love....it came from clever fee at chipper nelly.......
 ........i found this kitty card in amongst the vintage cards from granny's attic.....love the 3d effect .....
 ..............and some crochet at last....i finished the jubilee cushion.....it was fun seeing it completed in time for the jubilee....though i'm not sure the blanket will be......
 ..........i've made this blanket a wide one so the progress is slower, but i'm loving making it and even had the chance to do some of it in the sunny garden at the weekend :) ......granny stripes are my favourite crochet thing just now....but i have some new granny square ideas simmering too........
............and as i knew i would be doing a kitty post i had a little look in the farmer's wife quilt book a week or two ago to see if there was anything suitable...oh yes....two sweet blocks in fact...the one on the left is called cats and mice and the one on the right is called puss in the corner.....and would you believe the fabrics i used for them and for the kitty cushions are from the delightful collection called...Pam Kitty Morning :) (i only realised that afterwards).........so now i am off to water my flowers as it has been warm and sunny here today......thank you for dropping into my little bit of blogland, it's lovely to see you....have  a wonderful week....back soon xxxxxxxxx

37 comments:

MelMel said...

I so love your kitty's.....lovely work Helen!xxx

fee @ chipper nelly said...

lovely post Helen - looks just like my screensaver (those red, white and blue buttons!)
How nice to see the little kitten peg here too - that picture brings back SO many memories.
Fee ♥
(posted seaside today!)

serendipity said...

What a sweet kitty cushion for a very worthwhile cause. I love your granny stripe blanket, it looks perfect against the white bench. xx

Людмила said...

Очень весело и красиво!У вас в блоге изысканно!

Happy in red said...

Meow? That's so cute!!
Esther.

harmony and rosie said...

Helen, what a sweet cushion for those poor little souls at Battersea. I know the Dogs and Cats home very well as that's where our two kitties came from and it really is a wonderful place. The people who work there are so lovely and very caring.
Loving your Jubilee goodies too.
Enjoy the sunshine.
Kate x

MoodyCatCrafts said...

I'm going to have to make a kitten cushion for Battersea now!

I love the thought of a scared kitten cuddling up on it and taking it to its new home.

Erna said...

Lovely works ,I especially like the Jubilee cushion and blanket
Kind regards from Amsterdam
Erna

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen,
So nice to pop in and see you! Love the kitty post and the idea of making cosy little pads for the homeless kittens. I remember when you did it for the dogs last year. It's a very cute appliqué. Between your sewing, crocheting, quilting and gardening you are busy busy. Everything looks so festive! Enjoy the week and see you again. xoRobin❤

Becky said...

Oh my! I just love all of the red and blue going on, it puts a huge smile on my face :) Especially that crochet cushion!

mags said...

What a lot of lovely blues in your post today. I will definitely download the cat cushion and have a go. Lovely to think of supporting the cats in a really practical way. I wonder if a bit of catnip inside might be nice! Really looking forward to seeing your collection of blocks together!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

What a sweet post Helen and very close to my heart with so many kitties around these parts.
It is such a lovely idea to make those poor little things their own cushion and what a pretty cushion it is too!
You really did find some treasures in Granny's attic, didn't you. :)
The Jubilee cushion looks great!!
Vivienne x

Sam I Am...... said...

How wonderful for you to do that for Batterseas. I have 2 rescue dogs but my rescue cat passed away last Fall.
I love your designs and your color combinations. I want to make a jubilee design to remind me of all my English blogging friends I've made this year. Did you make granny squares in the color of the flag? Is that what makes it a Jubilee cushion? I like your flag pin cushion too.
Fee's kitty is so vintage and darling! I just finished a ripple blanket (crocheted) and I have a granny stripe started but it's getting a little warm here to work on blankets! LOL! I may do some smaller projects and/or sew for awhile. Love your farmer's wife blocks too! Enjoy your nice weather.

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen :o) So cute kitty cushion and great idea :o) Love this project! I hope some day we`ll have the same project in Russia. In fact I found my 2 cats in the forest when they were 1 day old :o)
Your crochet cushion is beautiful and blanket too.
P.S. Please, came to enter into my giveaway.
Have a nice day
Natasha

vintage grey said...

Helen, I adore your kitties!! So sweet!! Thanks for sharing the instructions!! The vintage kitty cards are just too sweet!! Love your cushion, blanket, and quilt blocks!! So pretty!! Have a creative and lovely week!! xo Heather

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen! How I adore this color combo and the Pam Kitty fabric. It's so perfect for the kitty applique! The Queen would love your jubilee pillow...I know I do :) xoxo Debbie

Jane said...

I love all the red white and blue in blogland at the mement Helen. Your cushion is lovely I know those kitties will be so grateful. The jubilee cushion has turned out fab....you will feel like the Queen sitting on it :-) Enjoy the sunshine which has finally arrived.
Jane x

Simone said...

You are so talented Helen. I am sure people will want to rehome a kitty just so that they get the lovely cushion that comes as a bonus!!! Seriously though, the pattern is a lovely design. I love to see all the things you have been making. It inspires me to make more! x

Gem said...

This is a beautiful design. I'm working on a few projects at the moment but will be making a couple of these to send off if I can. I love cats so would love to be able to help :) x x x x

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen, I always look forward to your posts! They are so cheerful and make me quite happy! You are so kind to design such a pretty and comfy cushion for homeless kitties. I love the sweet fabrics you used! The kitty peg and vintage card are both adorable. I love your crochet cushion for the Jubilee! You did a beautiful job and the colors are wonderful. The blanket is looking beautiful too. I am so glad you could enjoy crocheting in your sunny garden! Your quilt blocks are lovely! The kitty theme is fun! Enjoy your garden and the lovely weather. Have a wonderful week too sweetie! Love, Paula xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

How fabulous that everything here is kitty related. Your projects are all so very pretty and I love the sweet graphic on that peg. So lovely to make cozy cushions for needy kitties. Have a wonderful week. Tammy

Country Rabbit said...

such a great idea...love the kitty template and fabrics ;0)x love the peg kitty too, sooo cute xx

Annie @ knitsofacto said...

So many pretty things. Love the peg from Fee and the pretty kitty card. And the cushion, of course ... such a good cause.

koralee said...

Your little kitten peg is darling...Fee is so sweet!
Kitty cushion is adorable...well everything is darling.

If you don't get your little package in the next week I will send you the NEW Where Women Cook magazine...will be out June 1... I just want to check your address before I send it off. Could you email me it once again.
Hugs.

FourHappyBunnies said...

I love the kitty cushion pad Helen. I hope you are enjoying the lovely warm, sunny weather. Fingers crossed it will be with us for the Jubilee weekend x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Your kitty cushion is such a lovely idea Helen.We had a little rescue cat who was wonderful and she always loved her cushion...I'm loving all the red white and blue too..it's so fresh and summery!
I have yet to learn to crochet (still on my list!)but I can admire everyone else's in the meantime...so pretty and I love your kitty peg made by clever Fee!
Hope you are managing to have lots of time in your lovely garden in this beautiful weather..I'm off to my sewing machine now..
Susan x

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear Helen, love your kitty design... very well drawn pattern! I'm especially in love with your red, white and blue granny stripe blanket. I'm very fond of those colors, too.. as our flag here in the US uses the same colors! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

catkin tales said...

i do love a kitty post =^.^= and am also vey much into the red, white and blue at present.
i think the cushions for battersea are a very good idea and your design is beautiful, just think how comforting they will be to the sweet little souls that use them.
i had a lovely collie (rough and border cross) from battersea many years ago.
thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. i am very happy indeed to be be back among such wonderful company :)

warmest wishes to you xx i hope the sunshine keeps up, it's gorgeous!

claire said...

Looks like you are having lots of making fun :)
Love the names of the quilt blocks - I wonder how they came about? It's going to look lovely all sewn up.

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen, you're little puss is sweet and so are the jublilee cushion and throw. It is a big year in Britain isn't it? I have been enjoying a series shown here about the Queen's 60 year reign immensely. I hope you get the throw finished in time to use watching the Olympics!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! Every kitten would love to have as cute pillow as yours! Lovely design and beautiful colours! You have found again so special kitten things! Good luck with your crochet - looks wonderful! After seeing your farmer's wife blocks I think soon it's time for me to make them, too! Happy weekend to you! x Teje

Apple Blossom Barn said...

Hi Helen

what a gorgeous kitty cushion and such a great cause, 3 of my dogs are rescue dogs are they are the best
love all your crochet work you are some talented lady!

Take care

Denise

Madelief said...

Your Kitty post is beautiful Helen! Such an honour to be asked to make a special pillow for such a good cause. I like your designs!

The plaid is very pretty too!

Wish you a Happy weekend. Lets hope the sun will stay a little while longer :-)

Madelief x

Jenny said...

Those kitties are gorgeous Helen, I do have a soft spot for anything cat related! Such a good cause too, they do amazing work, just imagine all those lonely frightened cats who will feel comforted by their little cushion. I love your Jubilee cushion too, it is so simple in just the three colours but so striking. Thanks for all your lovely comments on my last few posts by the way. Things still pretty rubbish really but trying to keep as positive as I can! Jenny xx

Blue Eyed Night Owl said...

What a great project! I love the colors you chose too, very very nice:D

blueeyednightowl.blogspot.com

Jenny Woolf said...

Looking at your post made me remember how much I love wedgwood blue.
Love the patriotic crochet too!

Mike said...

I don't think there is anything more cute then baby kittens.