rose hip

a closer look (part 3)...

 

 

...I'm back with another closeup of a crochet-cuffed cushion; this time around, I have the one in the middle of the trio above and below for you to take a closer look at... I've also made something out of what I started here and, yes, as you can see, it's another cushion! I've so enjoyed crocheting the latter that I've already started on another one in different colours; I'll show you more in an upcoming post...

 

 

Now, back to my cuffed cushion... The floral cotton fabric with the olive green background that I used for its front is, without a doubt, in my top ten as far as my vintage fabric collection goes; I'm actually quite proud of myself for finally cutting into it!

 

 

Finding a woolly backing fabric to pair it with was not a problem; I came up with a lot of possibilities, but finally settled on the grey and black plaid you can see closer up below...

 

 

I can't quite remember whether this plaid is all wool or part wool but, whatever the case, it is a lovely fabric in appearance as well as to the touch...

 

 

As I look at the photos above and below, I do like seeing the way the black lines in the plaid play up the black outlines of the vintage print...

 

 

For the main colour of the crocheted ribbing, I decided to stay clear of greys like the backing, and opted for a taupe-brown so as not to have everything look too matchy-matchy; for the same reason, I edged the ribbing in a lovely soft lavender colour which I think goes well with the colours of the floral front, without being a perfect match for any of them...

 

 

As both yarns used for the ribbing are 100% wool, I think they work rather nicely with the woolly plaid...

 

 

To see how the woolly ribbing and plaid combine with the vintage floral front close up, I've included the side views above and below...

 

 

Now, if you lift the ribbed cuff...

 

 

...just like this,...

 

 

...you'll find that it is lined with a pretty cotton floral...

 

 

...and to see how the lined cuff works with the front of the cushion, have a look below...

 

 

I do have one more cuffed cushion I'd like to show you in closer detail but, before doing so, I'll be posting about some new crochet-trimmed pillowcases as well as a newly finished patchwork... So, do stay tuned and thanks for popping by!...

 

 

 

a spring break treat...

 

 

...I just got back from a great family holiday spent in Baja, Mexico; we actually went back to the exact same spot we stayed at four years ago because we had such an amazing time there the first time around...

 

 

A truly magical spot, the Hacienda Cerritos looks like it's been sitting beautifully on a stunning bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean for a very long time; the truth though is that it was only built in recent years, but it has such a traditional Mexican look to it from its architecture down to all its furnishings that one can easily be deceived. How can you not be charmed by a bedroom door opening onto this view...

 

 

...which leads you to your nearly private hot tub and swimming pool (you just have to share with your next door neighbours)...

 

 

...where you can enjoy this glorious view of secluded Cerritos Beach, great for swimming and surfing...

 

 

Magical, isn't it?!... Adding to the magic is the lovely inner courtyard around which the Hacienda is built,...

 

 

...a peaceful oasis offering much-needed shade from the ever-present hot Mexican sun...

 

 

...and where lovely blooms abound either weaving stunning tapestries...

 

 

...or basking in the sun as single beauties,...

 

 

...all creating a dazzling display of colour!...

 

 

 While our three-night stay at the Hacienda was very enjoyable, we were surprised by the hotel's little signs of neglect and lack of maintenance; we eventually found out the probable cause for this lack of upkeep: its owner, an American property developer, has been arrested for bank fraud! Hopefully though, a new administration will come in soon before it falls into a greater state of disrepair -- it would be such a shame if it did! For the remaining four nights of our stay at Cerritos Beach, we moved down the beach from the Hacienda...

 

 

...to the very comfortable and spacious beach bungalows you can see below. That second floor balcony was so inviting, especially in the late afternoon after a day spent in the sun and water-- ah, if only I had brought a hook and a bit of yarn with me!...

 

 

Just a short drive from Cerritos Beach is the very quaint historic town of Todos Santos; the first time I visited Todos Santos twenty years ago, I don't think I saw any tourists there, but this time around, even more so than when we were there four years ago, it seems like it has definitely made its way on the tourist circuit. As you can see in the photos below, it is rather picturesque and, given that a highway from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos was built about four years ago giving the town much better access, it is hardly surprising...

 

 

I love seeing Mexican cutout banners strewn across a street -- they add such a festive splash of colour!

 

 

And how about this facade, so very modest yet so striking...

 

 

We sampled some very good Mexican cuisine in Todos Santos; on our last night, we ate at a lovely restaurant set in a stunning cactus and succulent garden you can see a bit of below...

 

 

And of course, adding gorgeous bursts of colour all over Todos Santos, rather like those Mexican banners, is the ubiquitous bougainvillea...

 

 

While we spent most of our time on the Pacific side, we did cross over to the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula for a day where we toured Espiritu Santo Island by boat; this island absolutely amazed us with its breathtakingly rugged and varied shorelines, amusing lounging sea lions, sparkling turquoise waters and pristine white sandy beaches. We even stopped at one of these beaches and did a bit of snorkeling on a reef where we saw a lovely sampling of tropical fish. As you can probably tell by my three daughters' faces, it was the most perfect of days!...

 

 

And what did I bring back from Mexico?... Only one souvenir, but a very special one: my very own Frida Kahlo made by an artist who I found out when I got home has an Etsy shop right here!

 

 

Well, that's it for my little travelogue -- I do hope you've enjoyed it and I also hope you have a very lovely Easter weekend! Thanks for visiting...

 

 

 

where am I going with this?...

 

 

...I'm not quite sure yet, definitely some kind of cushion, although I still have to work out the details... I'll have to leave it for now though as I'm off very soon on a rather sweet little family spring break holiday...

 

 

I'll tell you all about it upon my return in just over a week or so; I'll be closing my Etsy shop while I'm away but I'll reopen it as soon as I get back. I hope you all have a wonderful week and thank you so much for popping by!...