Helen Philipps: Keeping Calm and Making Things

After a very looong wait this year, it will soon be Easter at last and here are the little treat bags I've been making with the pretty fabrics I showed you a while ago. I got them at a local village quilt show, on a little stall, as a pack of fat quarters....I love the daisy one best.... I've made something else too but will save it for another post soon...

And why do I need to keep calm especially this week? Because of this.....

...our house is completely surrounded by scaffolding because our old leaky roof is finally being replaced. It's sheltered this house for nearly 140 years but now it's past repairing, too many gales have caused too much damage and while the new tiles wait stacked up outside, the old ones are being noisily removed....

...sometimes I avoid the flying tiles and retreat to the bottom of the garden, to spend a bit of time in the peaceful potting shed...with some new garden treats from my daughter Sarah....and potting up new little geraniums I bought last week in Ambleside.....

.......enjoying all the flowers that have bloomed while we were away, too like this bowl planted with two shades of grape hyacinths and lots of violas....

...the workmen kindly moved all my pots away from the house to prevent them being damaged, and it's quite nice to see them in different parts of the garden for a change....

...this is my inspiring picture, made specially for me by my daughter Rosie...I've put it in the studio and I do believe it's working! Back to some designing now ( yes, for the shhh xmas projects for well prepared magazine editors, but don't worry I won't be revealing them for many months yet!!) ... I will also be sewing some more little Easter bags and working on two new quilts and knitting something new with some BIG wool...... Hope your week is sunny and happy. Back soon xxxx

28 comments:

Nic said...: Love the daisy bag :) hope the roofing goes okay!; 13 April 2011 at 11:13
Pink Milk said...: Good morning Helen. I do sympathise, there's nothing quite so stressful as having 'work done'! Your lovely little potting shed is the perfect place to hide.

Gorgeous little Easter bags too.

Hx; 13 April 2011 at 11:55
Naturally Carol said...: You must have had quite a stress filled winter knowing your roof was so in need of replacing..glad you made it through without any mishaps. Ours is getting that way too..our house is in it's eighties and I don't think the roof has ever been replaced either. The gutters have holes and pieces keep flaking off into the yard!; 13 April 2011 at 11:58
Ali said...: Hope the roofing work doesnt take too long. Lovely pictures how cute are your little easter bags - gorgeous xx; 13 April 2011 at 12:04
Mia said...: Your week sounds lovely (except the roof but that will turn out perfect too, there's no need to worry about it any longer!) and your Easter-pouches are just adorable! I also LOVE the keep calm and make things-poster, and especially in pink :)

Happy and sunny week!

Yours,
Mia; 13 April 2011 at 12:38
driftwood said...: here's to a new roof, and lots of lovely made things! xxx; 13 April 2011 at 12:38
Shirley said...: The little bags and fabric are lovely. I can sympathise with your roof situation, when we had ours replaced the dust ended up in places we didn't think dust could get. It is lovely to see everything coming into flower.
kind regards,
Shirley; 13 April 2011 at 13:15
Coco Rose Diaries said...: Hi Helen, love the Easter pouches and your garden pots! Hope the work won't take too long for you.just remind yourself it will be worth it!!!!

Happy making!!!!!!!

Vanessa xxx; 13 April 2011 at 13:47
Crafts @ Home said...: I love the bags of Easter eggs, what a super idea :)
Poor you, suffering with builders... We had the builders from heaven when our roof was repaired, punctual, no swearing or loud music,& not much talking &no slate throwing... as they were recycling as many as they could, 2 brothers and occasionally the Dad. We suffered far more hen the neighbours had there's done!
More lovely pictures of your beautiful plants, what a feast for the eyes :)
Sue Xx; 13 April 2011 at 14:15
Me and Tilly Too said...: Hi Helen

Love your Easter bags, they're so sweet.

Just think how cosy you'll be next winter with a new roof. It'll be worth all the noise and stress.

Found your blog via Gillyflower.

Have a good day.

Lesley
x; 13 April 2011 at 15:01
Jane said...: I love the egg fabric Helen...such lovely bags for Easter goodies.My children and their other halves have to make do with paper versions as you well know that I am not a sewer!(the stitching variety not the drains-LOL).
The new roof will be fab....enjoy your renovations ;0)
How funny that you are already working on Xmas ideas for you mags...! Keep calm and make things indeed.
Jane x; 13 April 2011 at 15:06
greenrabbitdesigns said...: Well I'll be honest Helen, I don't envy the workmen, I hate it when there's someone about 'doing things' around the house. I think 'Keep Calm and Make Things' is an excellent motto!!
I just love your little Easter bags, especially the daisy one, so pretty!
Aren't grape hyacinths just beautiful little flowers. :)
Vivienne x; 13 April 2011 at 16:18
KC'sCourt! said...: Pretty Easter Bags, and I love your Spring Pot
Julie xxxxxx; 13 April 2011 at 16:38
Unknown said...: I'm glad to hear that your getting a sound roof over your head!!! Another 100 years of peace for your house. I love your bags they are totally cute!!!
Have a great week!
Chris :o); 13 April 2011 at 18:41
Teje Karjalainen said...: Dear Helen, your Easter pouches are so sweet! Those fabrics are lovely and I love the blue with daisies! That's great you can fix the roof even it's a mess for a while but then you don't have any worries for a long time! You can be happy having so careful workmen! Have a lovely time! xxx Teje; 13 April 2011 at 20:53
Jenny said...: Hi Helen, what sweet Easter bags! And I spy some more little mini eggs sneaking in too - knew it wouldn't be long... ;)hehe! Hope your roof is done soon, even though you know it's being fixed, can imagine it's still stressful having the workmen about the place, though will be worth it in the end! At least you have your lovely potting shed to escape to:) Jenny xx; 13 April 2011 at 22:05
salty pebble said...: wow i love them- you have so much creative beauty in your creations its wonderful- very inspirational helen x; 14 April 2011 at 08:38
faith76 said...: like the sweet little easter bags x; 14 April 2011 at 10:15
sylviesgarden said...: Such pretty fabric on the little bags.
I hope the re-roof goes well. Watch your head on the scaffolding, it really hurts if you bump into it.
x; 14 April 2011 at 11:11
Simone said...: Thank goodness for the sanctuary of the potting shed! I hope the new roof wont take too long to be put up! Lovely, pretty Easter bags! x; 14 April 2011 at 18:52
moonstruckcreations said...: What lovely Easter bags, super fabric!

Good luck with the roof, hopefully it will all be sorted out soon. I for one get stressed when there are workmen around the house, I just find it really unsettling, not sure why!

Helenxx; 14 April 2011 at 20:22
Scented Sweetpeas said...: Hope the workmen finish soon so you can have your house back. Love your bags, where did you get those cute little sheep from which are on them?; 14 April 2011 at 21:58
sew said...: Oh yes - what cute charms on your lovely little bags - to say nothing of their contents!!
I love your picture too - you'll have to take heed of its message during the roofing works.I have a 'KEEP CALM and KNIT ON' coaster which lives in my sewing room.; 15 April 2011 at 07:28
Anonymous said...: I find that your home is never your own when the work-men are in! And do you feel the need to make tea every few hours or is it just me?! Thanks for your lovely comment re: my nine paintings :) Claire x; 15 April 2011 at 08:25
Anonymous said...: I just love the pretty Easter bags and especially like the daisy fabric too. The little sheep are just gorgeous, your details are always so clever and unique.
Hope your building work goes smoothly and the weather is kind whilst it is being done.
best wishes.; 15 April 2011 at 12:25
mynestofyarnandbuttons said...: Hi Helen, Lovely post! I love the little bags. Are they filled with mini eggs? I think so, yummy! I still love your stamped labeling......at least in the states I can't find ink pads for fabric, at the moment I am going to be trying fabric markers and paint them on the stamps. I'll let you know if it's successful. Guess what, we will also be having our roof done this spring. We had a few leaks this winter and knew it was in our house's future. Hope your noise factor is over soon. Love your Keep Calm and Make Things picture, sweet of your daughter Rosie!
Your flowers are growing beautifully. I love the grape hyacinths. Hope you have a wonderful sunny weekend. xoRobin❤; 15 April 2011 at 14:14
Maaike said...: sweet treatbags you made! They are so cute... And the flowers look beautiful, it must be so great to have them all around you in springtime.
Have a lovely week!
Maaike; 19 April 2011 at 06:47
Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...: Such a pretty blog so glad I found you. I love the sentiment labels that you use do you stamp them yourself?; 19 April 2011 at 13:49