I found the granny blanket treasure hunting the other day. It was folded up all neatly and sort of hiding in the corner. I often pick these up and quickly put them back again, normally they are a bit grotty and some putrid colours. This one was neither, in fact by the condition of it I reckon it was made by someone and then stashed in a blanket box or linen cupboard.
I've admired these handmade blankets on the Superblogs, in the Kidston brochure and in magazines and I wanted one for a bit of English-style nostalgia in my white Beach Cottage… There's no way I have time to learn to stitch one and no way I would be paying dear old Cath Kidston prices for one. This way is much better. Someone else puts in the love and I save it from landfill. What a great deal, eh?
p.s. I had a message bemoaning my interior design skills, or lack thereof, in particular the picture being too high above the sofa and other various flaws in my artistry, hahaha…I had to laugh, for one I obviously do not profess to be, in any remote way, qualified in interior design and if the person had picked up an iota of my take on life they probably woulda realised that my retort would be that I don't really give a ****…it's funny isn't it, I would never have the time or, ya know, be bothered enough to do stuff like that…but if we were all the same life would be boring, right?
Hi,
I just found your blog & have to say I’m impressed! Yeah someone else with a wicked sense of humor (re the pic is to high!) I have enjoyed reading your blog & looking at all the eye candy in your pics. I have added you to my fave blogs & will be back often to see what you have been up to.
Sarah xxx
http://www.shabbyrosesandprettythings.blogspot.com
I am a “Nosey Nellie” – I love your sofa. Is it from IKEA? I am shopping and like that comfy, slipcovered look.
Love, love, love that blanket.
delightful!
such a yummy blanket! I haven’t crocheted in years – perhaps I should make me one of those!
That blanket is just divine- love the colors. And it looks like it’s in perfect shape! You mean perfection isn’t your thing?!
Who woulda guessed by the shabby chic decor…
Awesome blanket. I love your blog! It’s on the top of my list of favorites.
I’m so glad you don’t give a **** what some idiot said.You have a beautiful HOME. I really appreciate the time and effort you take with your blog.
Thank you,
Kelly
Your blanket is fabulous! The colors just pop in your (so perfect to me!!!!) beach cottage. thank you for sharing your cottage with us bloggers. it makes my day viewing your wonderful finds and inspiratal ideas you do to your home. have a sunny day!
hugs,
LuLu
I love the granny blanket…the range of colors is fantastic. You have a great eye.
Renee
Love the blanket…what a pop of color, it looks great!! I think everything you do is amazing, you have great style.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
Love the blanket, great pop of color…perfect! You have great style, I love everything you do.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
Your negative comment that was left about the height of the picture PROVES you are now a VERY SUCCESSFUL blogger. You have irked someone in to writing something negative! One of the most successful bloggers – can’t name her – as her head is enormous anyway! (NOT ME) – gets loads of negative comments!!!! I dont know why people get so worked up! Plonkers as we would say! Everything is lovely as usual. I bet the blanket gets folded up and stored in a cupboard though – tis a bit colourful for you! The cupboard is lovely – looks great just as it is!
Love Emma xxxxx
I admire that blanket. It looks like a quilt! As for the picture being too high. You can always hang something smaller just beneath it and make it look like you wanted it that way in the first place!
Brenda
Your cottage is absolutely PERFECT!!! I’m a blog lurker from the other side of the world. Don’t change a thing with your style…Viva la Difference!
Warmly,
A Fan in Park City, Utah
Well, my friend, I saw this particular message that you are speaking of and I must say that when I read it I was rather offended myself.
I LOVE your style and we share the same taste and love for all things shabby and vintage. 
Don’t listen to those meanies…the only thing that really matters is that you surround yourself with things that YOU love and it will ALWAYS be completely perfect. 
Sarah- ignore the negative folks in life and one will be much happier. My Mom taught us that “if you can’t say anything nice, than don’t say anything at all.” I would say this person has a problem themselves and not give it another thought.
You can also thank the good Lord that you are not this person, as she obviously isn’t happy and misery loves company.
Have a great day!
Gretchen
Sarah, this afghan has my name written all over it! Love it! Enjoy it and revel in all its colors. Like you, it took me awhile to break out of my white mode, but once I did, it felt rather liberating. It’s a fine line though between bringing in color and maintaining the serenity of white. You can do it, girl!
Merry Christmas!
Dawn E. Girl
I was pouring over those blankets on ebay just a little while ago. so, so lovely!!!
I think what I love MOST about your color(less) scheme is that it’s such a peaceful backdrop for showcasing the newest, fun thing — whether it’s a silky frock, a granny afghan or perhaps kids sportin’ new tans. What I love NEXT is that the interior landscape is everchanging. Pictures too high this week? ‘What pictures?’ next week!
What a great find! Love the colors too!
~Smiles~Tam!
Sarah, I love your blanket! Untold hours go into making something like that, and that one is so colorful, I imagine it took months! Love the colors! Thank you for sharing. Oh, and I’m adding you to my bloglist as soon as I pop back over there.
Thanks…
XO,
Sheila
Honey, had I known you wanted one of those blankets I would have sent you one. Although, my dear sweetie would have killed me, since it really is a grandma blanket that his grandmother made back in the 70′s when he was a small child. I keep it tucked away in the closet….funny, huh? Some people’s trash really is another’s treasure. I am glad you found one you like, though!
Sarah, I forgot to ask if it’s okay to add you??? Hope so!
XO,
Sheila
Love the blanket! Was the comment was left on Rate my Space?…there are a lot mean-spirited people over there! Don’t pay any attention to them. The ones that leave the mean comments never have photos of their homes on there! They are just envious!
Lovely blanket. Lovely photos. Ignore the sad sod who has time to comment on blogs they don’t like! (picture too high for what? Presumably when you’re standing in the room you don’t need a ladder to see it?!)
Glad I found you (through a flickr group – can’t remember which one!)- off for a nose about. t.x
omg…PUH-LEASE. Anyway, I think your interior design skills are pretty darn great, missy. It’s why I keep coming back for more!(I actually get excited when I see I’ve got 3 or 4 posts in the queue for A Beach Cottage…means more goodness in one sitting for me!)
Love the blanket!
Sarah,
How can anyone criticize what we do in our own homes? You live there and I think anyone can pay tons of money and decorate their house but to shop on a budget or reuse what we have and sew takes the real talent.
I get offended anytime I read e-mails like that. I’ve never seen a rule book.
Anywho, I love the blanket you got.
Hugs,
Gretchen
The colors in the granny blanket make a great contrast with your beachy decor. Your blog is so lovely and your decorating energy is delightfully contagious.
ish! pay no mind to the jerk off know it all designer…my sister in law claims to be an interior designer, WHAT A know it all SNOB she turned out to be! Decorate for fun your place is adorable* ok i’ll need to take a pic of my granny blanket..Doll i am constantly wrapped up in it thises days…i will never part with it Never! it is so colorful and heavy one of my very favorite things;0)xo
Love the colors too. Good inspriation for a granny-square blanket. There is a current book out on granny square patterns–there are some fairly complicated OR simple ones which you can use to make a patterned blanket rather than use just the classic simple square over and over.
I don’t know the name of the book off-hand, but just google it and you should find it. There are TONS of cool modern (retro-modern?) color combos for inspiration, too.
Very yummy indeed. as is this blog!
ah–I found it–
200 crochet blocks by Jan Eaton.
highly rec this book.
I just stumbled across your blog AND this photo. IMHO, interior designers are like artists. Some of the best artists have never stepped foot in an artist “school”. And if they did, they had a talent long before they went. There are two types of “licenced” designers. 1) The ones that have the gift and go to school to fine tune their gifts and recieve a document saying so. Or…. 2) The ones that WISH to have that talent but never come close. YOU have a gift!!!!! I do not. I am neither an artist or interior designer. However, I do have an eye for beauty. I disagree with you when you say that you are NOT an interior designer. I think you design interiors and do it beautifully! You’re blog and the lettered cottage will be the two blogs I follow until I make my house a home. Keep that picture AND your head high.