SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

Some of my cushions merit additional descriptions which I hope will help you to understand the design process and also give you some insight into how much fun we can have when you become so involved in turning ideas into the perfect gift for any occasion.

90TH BIRTHDAY

The e-mail I was sent giving me guidance for this 90th birthday cushion read something like this: "We would like to have a car + caravan ( touring holidays ) mainly in France ( hence the tri-colour flag) ; family pet Dachshund Holly needed a mention ; something to represent a childhood living in the station master's house at Brechin Station ; nurse emblem ( she was a staff nurse) ; a seagull to represent later years living by the sea; cockle and tower shells (happy holidays at Gatehouse of Fleet) ; Canadian maple emblem ( Canadian connections) and cakes (copious baking over many years in the Church Guild)". The final request was that the family names be included!

The project was a challenge, but I am told that Mary was thrilled with her family's thoughtful present and that guests at her Birthday Tea enjoyed hearing her recounting many stories which the cushion had prompted. 

ISLAND AND BOAT

This set was commissioned for a gentleman's birthday present. It comprises 2 cushions: one depicting his yacht Schiehallion ( a Contessa 26),  the other is of the Isle of Arran.  Schiehallion sports bright red sails and  is moored at Lamlash.  I embroidered a little silver anchor here. The cushions are backed with tartan fabric and threads were picked to match.  

PENGUIN WEDDING

Last year a lady asked me if I could make a cushion as a wedding present for her god - daughter. These nautical and penguin images were special to the couple and they had used them in their wedding invitation. A pair of 12 inch square mini cushions followed. They were backed in blue to tie in with the seaside theme. 

MYSTERY

A mystery scribble found on a radiator whilst redecorating prompted the question, "which grandchild is responsible for this?"

The scribble now lives under fresh paint, however both the moment in time and the scribble will live on in this cushion - I like to imagine the culprit telling the story to his/her children in the future ........

A FAMILY AFFAIR

This was a delightful commission to be given - Christmas presents for a family. The Scottish Islands Class yachts were born many years ago, designed by Alfred Mylne. "Bernera" (built in 1929) is joined by a relatively new build "Shona" (built in 2000). An uncle owns one, his nephew the other. The drawings I used were from the Mylne archive of yacht designs. The first drawing gave me the sail plan, and the second one the cabin detail.

YACHTSMAN'S BIRTHDAY

This trio was made as a birthday present. The cushions represent yachts in his life, both in the past and the present. "Snowbird" is a Bowman 40, "Snowgoose" is a Centurian 32 and "Curlew" is a Piper One Design.

SHAMROCK V

Two of these embroidered cushions featuring this famous "J" class yacht "Shamrock V" were made for the grandchildren of a crew member who competed in the America's Cup in 1930. The cushion backing is made from green wool from Bute Fabrics.

GLENS

The "Glen" is a classic wooden One Design Class, designed in 1945. Of the 37 built, 14 are still sailing in Dublin Bay and 14 are in Strangford Loch. Note the slight variation in the rigging. These cushions join my expanding "fleet" of nautical designs which can be further personalised with for example, sail number, yacht name, date of event etc.

CELTIC THISTLE

One of the "Celtic" designs I had been working on proved perfect for this wedding present as the couples's favourite colour is purple. The present started as simply comprising one cushion, however we carried on and monogrammed a couple of sets of towels for them too!

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

This couple became engaged while visiting the Galapagos Islands together hence the inspiration for these cushions. Colours were to be muted and neutral. They can sit as happily as a pair as they do apart.

A SCOTTISH LASS WEDS AN IRISH LAD

A Thistle and Shamrock were used to embellish this wedding cushion. On the day, the rings were attached with a ribbon - later removed to be used as a reminder of their day. The colour was chosen to match the bridesmaids' dresses.

CONNEL BRIDGE

Connel Bridge was the subject of a recent commission - made as a present for someone who had particular affection for the bridge and the links it made in her life.

PORTPATRICK

This special "90th birthday" cushion was made for a lady who had been the ladies' team captain at Dunskey Golf Club many years ago. The family asked for specific features which have special memories to be added. The backing is of a beautiful Bute wool fabric. 

BERMUDA

Another area of the world, another example of a personalised cushion backed with the family tartan.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

A favourite house and Scottish loch provided the inspiration for this gift. Fabric and threads were chosen to complement the existing style and colours.

CANADIAN WEDDING

This pair of cushions was recently commissioned as a wedding present - Langdon Hall in Ontario was the wedding venue and the couple became engaged on the Isle of Skye. The set were backed with the family tartan and thread colours chosen to match.