Picnic Time

I'm so happy to finally be sharing these, even though there are far fewer than I had originally envisioned. This has been a project that I've been thinking about for ages, but it seemed to take a while to materialize for one reason or another. I suppose the biggest being the amount of time that each one took - far more than I anticipated.

 
In the depths of our February funk I began dreaming these up - thinking of what I'd like to make for spring, thinking of our most treasured picnics by the shore, of embroidered napkins and the 'perfect' picnic tablecloth. These are the results of all that daydreaming.

The daydream materialized into a generously sized, patchwork quilted, double sided, and embroidered picnic cloth. With coordinating, embroidered napkins, and even a little pocket on the back corners for rocks, you know, to keep the cloth (and your food) from blowing in the wind. Or for storing your napkins. Or treasures from the beach.

I used linen or twill for the front of each of these, vintage and new pieces for the patchwork, and they're backed with vintage sheets that remind me of summertime in a big way. Ah, Summertime.

I'm quite pleased with how they came out, and I'm even more pleased that it's finally springtime and there is no more simply dreaming about picnics, just attending of picnics to be done. Bliss.

There is of course, one for us, and these two that are in the shop now. sold, thank you!! I'll have more in a few weeks!

I'm sure you all know, but there are many very exciting shop updates and openings happening today by some very talented artists and crafters. You much check out Port2Port, Sally's new shop, Shanna's new blog and shop, and some new treats over at Underdog Ink, among others, I'm sure that I don't even know aobut. It's all very exciting.
Buy Handmade today!

Comments

[Beth]

I LOVE the rock pockets! What a simple solution to blowing blankets!

Bravo, Amanda!

[Mama Urchin]

Such a great idea. Perfectly timed for picnic weather.

[Sarah]

wow! and they are gone already! Congrats! They are beautiful!

[kristin]

these are incredible amanda!
what a great way to celebrate the fine art of picnic-ing.
they are both beautiful sets. let the picnic season begin.

[Julie]

Beautiful work.... what a way to make picnics feel extra special!

[Crimson]

I think I slept on those yellow flowered sheets once upon a time...

Beautiful, and the rock pockets are great!!

:-)

[beautythatmoves]

such love for these, thank you.

[ladybug_zen]

so lovely...again. you are a creative powerhouse.

[jennifer]

so wonderful! the rock pockets are ingenious and adorable, and the combination of fabrics with that wee bit of embroidery is charmingly classic SouleMama. nice!

[shari]

oh! i love the picnic sets and the rock pockets. fabulous amanda. i hope you'll make more? xo

[Laura Herrmann]

Ahhh! I woke up at 6:45 A.M (albeit pst) to look at your shop...and it is gone already (because it is so beautiful of course). Early birds and East Coast girls always get the worms! What beautiful work. Laura

[Laura Herrmann]

Ahhh! I woke up at 6:45 A.M (albeit pst) to look at your shop...and it is gone already (because it is so beautiful of course). Early birds and East Coast girls always get the worms! What beautiful work. Laura

[SOULEMAMA]

Yes, yes...there will be just a couple more in a few weeks. And then onto SUMMER goods! ;)

[Grace]

Beautiful work as always. The pockets on the back are ingenius and cute! Beautiful embroidery, too.

[kelly]

just beautiful!!!!

[nina]

so perfect...and goes perfectly with my zen basket musings!

[carol]

I love picinics and I just commented to my husband we need to take more! Complete with linens, pie/cake carrier, tasty salads, great location (rain or shine)...I plan to actually set aside one day (at least) a month to go somewhere different and make a great meal for my family...not the usual peanut butter deal for the park, we actualy do that regularly...ahem.

[Yvonne]

Wonderful and clever as usual. Love the work Amanda. Enjoy your day.

[Amber]

So whimsical and beautiful! I've been wanting to make a blanket with the rock pockets, too, since we often spend summer afternoons at the beach (windy beach, that is)!

I really love the colors on yours...

[Christine]

How beautiful! I want to go on a picnic now!

[Elena]

Love that picnic quilt idea, makes me want to start quilting!

[tricia]

oh man, i didn't even stand a chance!! what pretty picnic lovelies.

[Cristina]

Amanda, these are absolutely wonderful and so thoughtful in their design and construction.
...i'm off now for some indie shopping...

[Toni]

Lovely, lovely. The little pockets were a great idea!

[Julie]

Oh, Soul Mama, I enjoy your photos and blogging bits. I am a former homeschooler looking backwards. You are an inspiration! Love what you do with fabric.

[earthchick]

So beautiful. Your work inspires me so much. Happy May Day! Happy picnic-ing!

[shanna]

these are great! i've been planning a picnic theme for june!!!

cheers!
shanna

[smileull]

Your work always inspires me! Beautiful!

[Heather]

Oh thank you for reminding folks to buy handmade!!! I'm feeling a bit dimayed after spending the morning at a craft fair at which not one of my 12 bags sold. My very talented friend's beautiful jewelry was barely touched either. I get discouraged by the "I can buy it from China for cheaper" mentality. I am always completely encouraged by your blog which reminds me that there are others who share my enthusiasm for things of beauty made by creative souls. The life I'm living is extraordinary!

[mathea]

Those picnic sets are lovely. And of course they take time to make. People don't alway realize the amount of time one spends thinking, cutting, stitching, ironing etc. but I know, having just finished a quilt myself. It's just a simple design og squares in different sizes, but it took ages in between everything else. But the feeling of acomplishment when the project is finished is what makes it worthwhile :-)
Thank you for showing what those rock pockets actually look like! I have heard about them before (maybe here?), but actually seeing what they look like makes all the difference. Such a great idea!
Loved your quilt find when thrifting the other day, by the way!

[Laura]

Your picnic sets are wonderful, I love the rock pocket details and the colors really say 'picnic' to me. You will enjoy them during the summer for sure! Thank you for sharing them with us!

[amisha]

oh amanda, these are wonderful!! i was too slow this morning at your shop but i am loving this idea and style so much... i adore picnics and this looks like such a special set for a summer afternoon. what an inspiration.

[Emily]

These are gorgeous - what a great idea! And I'm sure saying this won't make me too popular on this thread, but I think you're way underpricing them. $5 for a hand-embroidered reversible napkin? Yer givin' it away!

[Lindsey Clare]

what a great idea! those are very sweet, i love the yellow/green one.

[Veronica TM]

they look lovely, amanda! we had our first picnic this sunday, bliss.

[sulu-design]

I'm grinning from ear to ear. I love your picnic creations (you deserve some award fof those rock pockets). You've got me so excited for our first picnic of the year!

[Mae]

I just LOVE these. What a great idea for a bridal shower gift or new home. Really, just lovely.

[charlotte lyons]

the rock pockets are too smart! nice! xoC

[Melissa]

I love the rock pockets too! I cant help myself.

[luckybeans]

Sigh... so lovely and summery. I am inspired!

[ellen]

As usual, you did a beautiful job.

[The unusually Unusual Framchick]

I love the picnic sets! I have a vintage picnic basket that belonged to my husbands grandmother, which we use all summer long. What a way to personalize a memorable family tradition.
Great Job Soule Mama! Your inventive mind amazes me.

[The \Unusually Unusual Framchick]

I love the picnic sets! I have a vintage picnic basket that belonged to my husbands grandmother, which we use all summer long. What a way to personalize a memorable family tradition.
Great Job Soule Mama! Your inventive mind amazes me.