Monday 7 May 2012

Granny Square Button Cushion!

Guess who spent a lovely Friday afternoon with Dennis?.......MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Dennis' cruise ship was in Hamburg for the day, so we had a chance to catch up. We spent a lovely afternoon sharing stories and enjoying each others company, it was sooooo  great to see him!
He is doing fine and is rather enjoying his current contract. He promises that once rehearsals are finished he will pop by 'the blog' and say hello to you all!

Friday really was a lovely day! Not only did I see Dennis in the afternoon, I also took the evening off form work and had a little time to myself. I spent some time working on my current WIP and made some scrummy home cooked food.

I also took a venture up the road to explore the local yarn cafe, they were having a 'Knit Night'.
Knit night happens twice a month at this store and I was extremely curious to see what it was all about.
I have to be honest, not only was I curious..... I was also a little nervous. Nervous about the fact I would probably be the only guy and nervous about the thought of having to speak German! 
I didn't have to worry about a thing! The ladies were extremely accommodating, they spoke to me slowly and were patient as I sometimes struggled to find the correct German words.  We spoke about our projects and worked on them whilst having a laugh and drinking good coffee. I didn't always understand everything that was said but I laughed along all the same! :-)

On the way home, I stopped off at a bar and listened to some live music whilst sipping a beer. It was a perfect way to end an evening free from work.

Would you like to see what I was working on at the knit cafe?
I started this project last week, It's made using the leftover yarn from my blanket.


This project had two purposes. The first was to be quick and easy and the second was to use up the last of this yarn. It fulfilled both!
I planned on making a cushion that would match my blanket. I decided to keep to a similar theme and made the pillow out of Granny Squares.
49 squares in total.


I made 24 colourful squares
 Then I added 25 white squares to the equation.


I stitched the squares together using single crochet. I wanted to create the same raised ridges that my blanket also has.

I rummaged the 'bits and bobs' box for all of the left over buttons we had. Some buttons I had bought, some I had found and some were salvaged from old clothing. 


I'm totally fascinated with buttons at the moment. I love the endless amount of colours and sizes. I love that  randomly you may see one whilst walking to work or find one down the back of the sofa. I think they're rather enchanting!

I sewed the buttons to the white Granny squares. 



Once the front of the cushion was complete I got to work on the back.
I simply made a large granny square out of my left over yarn. Changing colour for each round.


Isn't that just so stunningly sunny! I'm loving the back of the pillow almost as much as the front!
Once the back was finished I stitched the front to the back (cushion in the middle) also using single crochet. I finished it off with a simple picot border.
Wanna have a look?


 I'm very pleased with it! The buttons add a rather playful touch!
 Here's the back:


I'm not sure which side a love most?



It compliments the blanket nicely and sits fittingly with its sibling cushions!


With this cheery cushion it really doesn't matter that its so gloomy outside!
Apparently these days, sunshine comes in the form of granny squares and buttons!

Matt xxx
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100 comments:

  1. I love it! Both sides are equally gorgeous x

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    1. I agree totally, it's a very smart cushion.

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  2. As always, incredibly inspiring.

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  3. The cushion is so sweet. I love the colours and the buttons are a lovely touch.
    Nina (aka #lilbluelephant)

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  4. Isn't that lúsh!! I really like it.
    Hope you have a nice week,
    Esther.

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  5. So glad you had time with Dennis. Your pics made me feel Sunny.. Bright Happy work. :) Have a chainy hooky day from Alabama...

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  6. We're not worthy! You are just too coooool! Buttons and granny Squares! Genius!

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  7. Sooo sooo talented use of colour just adorable.

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  8. How lovely that you and Dennis managed to squeeze some time together. Looking forward to hearing from him soon. I love, love, love the cushion and anytime you want to give one away to a willing home, please consider me - absolutely gorgeous and the colours are stunning. Sam xx

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  9. I love it Matt, so cheery and colourful! I'm a big fan of the raised single crochet way of joining - I love how you've done each line in different colours - it works really well and adds to the "multi-colouredness" !!
    Thanks for yet more wonderful inspiration!
    Maria x

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    1. Oh, and I'm glad you got to have a lovely afternoon with Dennis!

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  10. Wonderful! Simplicity rules. I admire not only the way you use colors but also your determination on starting and finishing a project. I am far from that disciplined. I have a dozen projects going on at the same time and hardly ever finishing one in one go. Well done! :D

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  11. It's a fabulous cushion - both sides! And what a great idea to use the buttons!

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  12. WOW it is FANTASTIC!!!!

    Luv Jane XX

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  13. I love it! A really gorgeous result...especially considering you started from scraps! Nice work!

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  14. Wunderschön! Weiter so :)

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  15. Thanks for sharing your great day with us! I love that you joined the ladies for knitting, I hope you go back again as I bet they loved having you there. Your pillow is woohooo fantastic..bravo! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. Just found your blog and love it.. so inspiring and colorful and cheerful. Really needed that :D

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  17. Hey there Matt, your cushion is gorgeous. Love the colours, I can't decide which side I like best either they're both scrummy x

    handmadewithlove-esther.blogspot.com/

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  18. oh wow, that pillow is stunning!! the buttons are such an inspired choice!

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  19. No sé qué me gusta más si la manta o el cojín, si por delante o por detrás. Me gusta mucho tu blog.
    Un abrazo

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  20. It was nice meeting you at Knit Night - and I suppose you understood more than you admit... ;-)

    I am surprised how fast you finished your cushion. Love the colours and I think I prefer the back. Maybe I should give crochet a try? It works up faster than knitting does!

    Cheers,
    Regina.

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  21. Karen Hillier7 May 2012 at 22:27

    Gorgeous! Love, love love your cushion :) my 12 year old daughter loves it too - think I may have to make one for her soon!!!
    with love
    Karen xxx

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  22. So happy that your first German Knit Night was a success for you :) The cushion is beautiful, I absolutely LOVE that the joining single crochets are a different colour over each join. So fun!!

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  23. Sounds like the perfect weekend - spending time with loved ones and some hooky!!! I love the cushion, think the button side is my favourite, by just a smidge! xxx

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  24. Absolutely beautiful as always Matt!! You are so creative! Well Done! xxx

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  25. Sounds like a perfect day Matt, well done you for joining in with the knitting group. The cushion is lovely, simple but very effective, I love how you have changed colours with the sc joining and the buttons finish it off nicely :)

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  26. Beautiful! I LOVE both sides! :)

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  27. There's a knitting/crochet group near me that I'm always promising myself that I will pop along to but I'm a bit nervous. Perhaps I'll go along now I've read your story. Your cushion is just gorgeous - both sides are lovely :) Have a good week. Maggie xx

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  28. I feel happy when I see your lovely photography! Your crochet is beautiful, and I really like that pillow! Great with all the buttons (I loooove buttons).

    Have a great week!

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  29. Absolutely stunning! I love the pic of the cushions and blanket all together... Jill x

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  30. Matt it's really beautiful. You are so quick at crocheting, every time I visit your blog you have something else to show us :-)

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  31. What a wonderful pillow with those nice buttons, I love it really.

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  32. Your work is amazing, I love visiting your blog, such a happy place. Thankyou!
    xxBrenda

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  33. cutest granny square project ever! Love it. It's so colorful and contemporary!

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  34. You have such a good taste with colours combination!! Great work, indeed!!
    xxx Alessandra

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  35. I love everything about that cushion - great colour combination, and love how you joined it with different coloured single crochet rows, and love the buttons - it's beautiful!

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  36. Oh ......these are over the moon beautiful!!!! I think I see something like this whole set in my future!!! The colors make me crazy happy!!!

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  37. Oh my gosh, so gorgeous!! I love how colorful it is :)

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  38. Matt I love your cushion, the colours are beautiful. I also loved your blanket so much so that I have started my own project. I have lots of yummy jewel colours for my granny squares. I have chosen a lovely light cream colour for the outside of my granny squares and will join the rows together with the cream too, but I am a little worried now that I will not have enough of this cream wool to do the whole thing. I have 550g of the cream but think this may not be enough. I am planning on doing 16 x 20 squares. I would be grateful if you could offer any advice as I think I may need double this amount and should re-order the extra quickly. Any advice you may be able to offer would be appreciated. Thank you x

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    1. Its a really tricky subject!! Not have enough or possibly have too much left over?
      I would say that if you can afford it, get more! Cream and white are always colours that can be easily used and work into many other projects easily. So having left overs is nothing to worry about. Not having enough is a problem.
      Its really hard to give you a precise answer, but with my blanket I probably used the same amount of white as the weight of all of the other colours combined. If you plan on joining with sc like I did then that will use a fair bit of yarn, plus a border also needs to be accounted for.
      You could also make a complete square and then dismantle it and weigh how much white one square uses. This may give you a better estimate as to how much you will need.
      I hope this helps a little! Sorry for not being able to give you a clearer answer! Matt xxx

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    2. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply Matt. I was worried about not having enough and then not being able to get any more of the same colour, so your advice makes so much sense. I think what I will do is make up two rows of 16 squares with the cream borders and work out how much this takes and multiply that for another 18 and then guess extra for joining and finishing borders. Phew!!

      Love your blog and hope that you are not missing Dennis too much x

      Daisy

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    3. Sounds like a good plan Daisy!!! Let me know how you get on!
      Matt xxx

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  39. I love both sides of the cushion. Also your blanket is a real stunner. xox

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  40. That is FABULOUS Matt!! Makes a person feel real happy just looking at the cushion and even more so with the blanket and other cushion ☺☺

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  41. AWESOME! As usual!!! The white sets it off beautifully and I share your enthusiasm for buttons! I'm especially happy that you recycle them from old clothing because buttons should live on and on and on!!!!!!

    loulouandlillybean

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  42. What a totally fabulous idea - the buttons are a perfect touch. You're a crochet genius.

    Have a fab week,
    Leah

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  43. SO colourful and beautiful! I love the buttons idea.

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  44. I absolutely love this idea... and I might steal it to make one of my own! Great job Matt!!!

    <3 Jenn
    creativelycraftyjenn.blogspot.com

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  45. Very pretty! The front is perfect for looking at and the back is the side to lean against when using the cushion. Lovely.

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  46. Found your blog through MemeRose! And all I can say about yours is OOooooooh, and Oooooooh again...just ooohhhhh!

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  47. Wonderful! :)
    greetings from Poland :)

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  48. Hi Matt - I am glad you had such a lovely day on Friday. I love it when days that should be ordinary turn out to be special. The cushion is really pretty and the buttons real set if off nicely. xxx

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  49. Hi Matt!

    What a great way to spend your friday! With the man you love and knitting and music and a beer,.. you know how to live!

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE your latest edition to the cushion collection!!!!!! WOW!!! Really beautiful and sunny indeed !!!!!

    Thank you for the inspiration!!!

    Hedwig

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  50. Buttons on the white squares - what a stroke of genius! They finish this cushion off nicely. Just make sure that you only ever fall asleep on it when the other side is facing upwards!!! Lol :)

    B x

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  51. Two comments, first LOVE the Granny Square cushion. Certainly inspiring to make for myself and my partner. Second, SO wonderful to see more male crafters! I'm a knitter/crocheter myself and saw your post shared on Google+. You've gained another reader!

    Also, you and your partner are WICKED cute. :) Looks like a very happy couple!

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  52. Ohhh ! This cushion is so lovely ! And the buttons are a good idea ! I always take a lot of pleasure to come and read your blog, see you soon !
    Severine56 from France.

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  53. You are one of my favorite crochet geniuses when it's come to color and playfulness!

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  54. Hi Matt! Everything you do is stunningly beautilicious and this is no exception! LOVE the buttons - I think 2012 should be designated The Year of the Button don't you? lol xxx

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  55. Well it sounds like you had a pretty good day getting some time in with Dennis. I imagine it's hard to be apart so long. I'm totally drooling over your pillow! I like buttons also and the colors you use always look so awesome! Love your blog, it's beautiful and bright and so playfully energetic. It always makes me happy to pop in! Take care.
    Kelli

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  56. Oh my, this pillow is lovely - the buttons make it absolutely beautiful and unique.
    Isn't it great to meet knitters at knit nights? I wish there was a yarn shop in my city that offers a knit night...

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  57. My goodness, your photos are so beautiful, I just want to eat them up. Gorgeous, gorgeous pillow. I don't know which side I like better, either.

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  58. i was wondering on your pillow, was it a pillow already and you just added the crochet or did you stuff it.... this is just beautiful

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  59. Hi Matt - I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Please do not feel obliged to accept it but if you would like pop over to my blog for details. Lily. xxx

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  60. Hi Matt, I'm pleased you and Dennis had a lovely day together. Your cushion is stunning, the back just as much as the front. I love the buttons. You've certainly brought some sunshine into my very rainy day here in the UK :-) Joanna xx

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  61. I LOVE that! The buttons are perfect! I wish I could say I wasn't going to steal the idea... ;D

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  62. OMG..they are adorable!!! i'm new learning how to crochet and your page really really inspire me tonight!!!
    Great work
    iela

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  63. Pati from London11 May 2012 at 16:28

    G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S-S-S-S-S-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pati x

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  64. Beautiful cushions. Popping in to say Hi! Been lurking for a short time. Really enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work.

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  65. You are just a wizard with color! You both are! It was so nice to read about your lovey afternoon. I'm sure those ladies were just tickled to have you there with them at the yarn cafe.

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  66. Lush cushion. Gorgeous colours.
    I really like the button detail too.
    Enjoy your week.
    X

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  67. Wow! What a beautiful cushion. The buttons are a great idea!

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  68. It is very nice, I like it. Congratulations!
    Hugs.
    Adelina

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  69. I LOVE <3 <3 <3 <3 the blanket and button cushion! It's so creative! :)

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  70. That pillow is just gorgeous, as is the blanket! I've just found your blog and can see that I'm going to really enjoy following your projects.

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  71. LOVE the pillow!! Very cool idea to ad the buttons to the white square. It gives the whole cushion that extra perkiness :)

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  72. I just had to share your blog to my group "Granny Squares" on Ravelry. I invite you to join us, it's a fun group and you would be an asset to our group if you haven't already! What is your name on Rav?

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  73. Was referred here by a Granny Square group at Ravelry.
    What a wonderful idea you show here. I love the colour lay out and the use of buttons (who doesn't have buttons collecting in jars? XD)
    You have just given me some wonderful ideas to pursue. Thank you!

    Mikononyte @ ravelry

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  74. Absolutely beautiful, as is all the work I have seen on your blog. The yarn looks like cotton. Is it? Also, your beautiful blanket, is that made of cotton yarn or a worsted? I just love the way they look. Have to find the time to get to some of my own languishing work. You have a great artistic sense. Bravo!

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  75. Hi Matt,
    I just found your site today and I love your granny square button cushion. I know how to crochet and knit but I don't know how to sew.
    Could you tell me how you sew the buttons on. I feel sort of dumb asking this but I want the buttons to look neat. I don't want them sloppy. Thanks

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  76. Oh my god...I just came across your blog via Facebook. This is incredible...I'm in awe!

    Can I ask what the yarn is?

    I feel like such a crochet amateur haha x

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  77. What a wonderful blog! Just love your work and the inspiration sipping from it to me too. The cushion is so great! I'd love to have one myself. I have to keep popping by, so that I get my own projects finished and maybe one day a cushion too. I've started crocheting again and it's so relaxing, all though choosing colors can be diffiult :D

    Have a nice weekend!
    Hugs from Finland

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  78. wunderschon..really like your use of colour and glad that you got to see your friend too

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  79. Fantastic blog. There was a link posted on my Facebook page by the Creative Crochet Crew with a picture of your cushion. I am rarely tempted to click on links but just had to when I saw this.
    I am a huge fan of Attic 24 but I have to say I prefer your eye for colour. Keep up the good work :)

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  80. great job. i love color of your pillow and blanket. would you please share the pattern?

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  81. Simply gorgeous ! So inspiring ...:)

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  82. Simply gorgeous ! So inspiring ...:)

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  83. Ai! Estou m-a-r-a-v-i-l-h-a-d-a!!! Lindo o trabalho de vocês. Só hoje descobri vocês e foi ótimo porque eu e minha irmã estamos fazendo colchas de crochet pra presentear as sobrinhas (já fizemos 9 e faltam 5)aí vai faltando inspiração e achei aqui! Parabéns! Trabalho lindo nos mínimos detalhes.

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  84. çok güzel olmuş ellerine sağlık :)

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  85. Love it, both sides!

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  86. I love that you said sunshine comes in the form of granny squares and buttons! How cheerful:} I'm making a giant granny square comforter for the bed, I want to use the colors you did for your other granny square comforter, but I don't know what colors to put next to what. I'm Crocheting it with 2 strands of yarn held together! Please advise me. Thanks.

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  87. Could you please share the granny square pattern for your cusion? I am new at making them and it looks so pretty! thanks black_rose_03@hotmail.com

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  88. Just love the idea!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Kiss

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  89. Hi, could you please give me the pattern for this pillow?? It's AMAZBALLS!
    jasonC63AMG@gmail.com

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  90. I love everything about the projects-colors, patterns, cheerfulness of all! You rock! Great job learning German as well.

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Thank you so much for leaving me a comment!