Wednesday 9 November 2011

Cosy Kitchen

 As the days are drawing in and becoming darker, I find I'm spending more time in my cosy kitchen, making warming wintry meals like soups and casseroles, and baking things to put in the freezer, just because it's so cosy in there...........this week I had a nice surprise when the lovely Al McCavery contacted me and asked if I'd like to choose two tea towels to review from his website All Tea Towels....(yes, please)......
 .....the website is a cornucopia of designer tea towels made from the finest quality linen, cotton or linen union and I was really spoilt for choice....I eventually decided to choose the Enchanted Forest Tea Towel because its red and white design chimes in perfectly with my Christmas themes and I love all the woodland creatures and sweet folk art style decoration......
 ....and the Union Jack Tea Towel because I also love the Brit chic look (and am currently working on a magazine commission for next year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations) so this design is perfect to be drying my dishes with right now........
 The All Tea Towels site is a lovely one to browse for gift ideas (shipping is fast and worldwide), and there is a charming page on the History of Tea Towels (and Dish Towels too)!
 One more thing to show you for my cosy kitchen this week.......at last I have made a granny cushion for my cane chair (where I sit and stitch, knit or crochet sometimes while waiting for a cake to bake or dinner to cook)......yes, the Bright and Flowery granny cushion  has had it's final flower sewn on, and a border crocheted round it ............
                                             ..........and now it is in place my cosy kitchen ..........
             I hope you like it..... it was inspired by many of you and the wonderful crochet you create!
Thank you for dropping in to see me today, and for those who leave such sweet comments a big thank you ....I read each and every one and enjoy them all. Wishing you all a happy cosy week. Back soon xxxx

50 comments:

Crafts @ Home said...

I love your choice of tea towels, Al provides a wonderful service, I shall be using her again this Christmas, your crochet cushion looks superb, and cosy.... I'm not quite sure I would find your freezer quite so cosy though, hope your having a good week :)
Sue Xxx

Happy in red said...

I love those tea towels. Good choice!!
Esther.

♥ Priddy Priddy ♥ said...

I think I *need* the Enchanted Forest tea towel....it's sooo pretty!
x

Pomona said...

I really like the Enchanted Forest tea towel - I didn't spot that one! Al has such a fantastic selection of tea towels - I particularly like the 50s housewives - they make me laugh!

Love your crochet cushion - just what I need for my sofa - just have to learn to crochet first . . .

Pomona x

Terrie said...

The Enchanted Forest tea towel is gorgeous! I like the idea of having a little wicker chair in my kitchen...I may have to keep an eye out for one! x

gillyflower said...

Hi Helen!
How funny, I just ordered some tea towels from Al Tea Towels only yesterday evening, having seen the website recommended on another blog.
They do look great and there is so much choice its hard to choose.
The reason for my purchases will become apparent soon when I announce my next giveaway.....
Your kitchen does look cosy, and your new crochet cushion is very cheerful!
Gill xx

trish said...

Your new tea towels look right at home in your charming kitchen. :o) How fun to review them! Your pillow is precious. You did a beautiful job! :o)
I recently learned how to make cinnamon rolls and they smell heavenly while baking and such a fun treat to eat. :o)
Have a happy day! Sincerely, Trish

Deborah said...

You picked out some great teatowels :) I am in the kitchen alot with my new settee and little dogs :)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Thedarkerside73 said...

There is nothing like a cosy baking session in the kitchen. (unless disater strikes like it did for me yesterday! Ahh!)

Love the choice of tea towels there. And really beautiful cushion too. A real treat to snuggle up to in your cosy retreat.


MBB x

my4lilgirls said...

Hi Helen am loving those pretty towels, great patterns & your crochet is just beautiful, bet it looks sweet in your kitchen!!!!
Have a lovely day Karen x

Little Nell said...

That granny cushion is calling to me. I just have to finish the dress I’m crocheting for my grandaughter first- nearly there.

Madelief said...

Hi Helen,

Lucky you to be approached by Al. You chose some beautiful towels. I especially like the white one with the red print. It looks very Chrismassy!

Your pillow looks lovely!

Happy wednesday!

Madelief x

Jenny said...

The teatowels are lovely Helen, the enchanted forest is my favourite - am having a red and white Christmas this year too, so it would go perfectly! I love the pic of your AGA too - my parents had one all the time I was living at home, and even when I went back to visit it'd be my favourite thing - love sitting with my back up against it! Would love one of my own one day :) Your crochet cushion is gorgeously lovely and cheerful too, so nice and bright, definitely makes the room cosier! Have a lovely rest of your week baking and sewing! xxx

Pink Milk said...

I'm totally with you on casseroles and soups! I seem to have a thing for making chicken stocks at the moment!

Beautiful cushion Helen, such happy colours, well done you.

Hx

Ali said...

Lovely post and lovely tea towels I dont think I would dare use them!! Gorgeous makes as always xx

dutch sisters said...

Love the tea towels and your crochet granny cushion, such lovely colors!

Carole said...

Oh Helen the tea towels are lovely. I find your blog so inspiring and pretty.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Gorgeous tea-towels Helen, especially the Enchanted Forest, I spy a little bunny!! :)
Having the Diamond Jubilee next year will be great, some more of that patriotic feel good that we had with this year's Royal wedding.
Your crochet cushion is so beautiful, the blue is very pretty!
Definitely a day for a cosy kitchen here!
Vivienne x

henny designs said...

Love the crochet cushion ... absolutely gorgeous!

Patty Marker said...

What beautiful tea towels and that cushion is just scrumptous! I love it. Patty

Lori ann said...

such lovely cosy things, we have had the same thing in mind, i just made a cosy post too! i love your teatowels and the cushion is so pretty.
i am visiting from julie whitmore pottery, she had painted my portrait, i saw your comment and just wanted to say thank you. now i'll be back, i love your blog!

sew said...

I too love my cosy kitchen and my Aga, so I know how you feel!
I've spent today assisting at a demonstration at my local Aga shop but I didn't have such a lovely tea towel to dry the dishes on.
Lovely cushion!

Jane said...

Great tea towels Helen, I think your choice was perfect. The night are really drawing in now, it's getting dark now at 4.15pm. Your cushion came out so well, what a brilliant start to your crochet journey.
Keep cosy,
Jane x

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! Your new crochet pillow is really sweet and will make your stitching chair so cosy!
Great choice for tea towel! I love specially the red-white, just perhect for the winter!
xxx Teje

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello Helen...Ooh your crochet is so pretty...I really love the colour mix here too...so bright and cheery...
Alas, crochet is still on my 'to do 'list Helen!
I really love this time of year when I seem to migrate to our kitchen making my soups and casseroles..
Al contacted me too and I am thinking now it would be fun to make my choices...love yours,
Take care friend,
Susan x

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen! Wow, I'm super impressed with your cushion for your cozy kitchen! The colors are so bright and pretty, sure to make you feel like it's summer in your home all during the cold dark winter!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Kentish Keg-Meg said...

Great choice in the tea towels. Love the cushion just right to brighten up November days.

Becky said...

Love your tea towels.I will have to visit that site you posted.Your cushion is to cute for the kitchen.Lovely.Everything has such a happy look, nice for the wintertime.

Blessings!

Annabelle said...

Love your pillow!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen,
Love your selection of tea towels. Both are so lovely. Your crocheting is looking wonderful. Love the colors of the granny flower squares! I agree this time of the year the kitchen is the place to be, warm and cosy.
Hope your week continues to be cosy.
xoRobin❤

flowers on my table said...

Hi Helen, a wonderful injection of colour and loveliness, as always...thankyou. Your cushion is so cheerful, I love it. Thanks for the tipoff on the tea-towel site, I will check it out, the 2 designs you picked are very desirable! Have a great weekend, love Linda x

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

You know life is good when you get teatowels to review!!
I am in love with your crochet cushion, the little flowers are the topping on your cushion cake. The colors are brilliant... REALLY.

Lorraine :-}

Mia said...

Beautiful tea towels, Helen! And you have such a great eye for color, I LOVE that pillow cover - and it's a perfect match with those towels. There's no gray spot in your kitchen, lovely!

Happy week(end soon too)!

Yours,
Mia

Annie said...

Another cheeringly colourful post. Really, really nice tea towels (oh dear, nice always seems such an inadequate word) but the thing that has totally caught my eye is the little bunny egg cup in the top picture, he's gorgeous!

greenthumb said...

Hi just found yur lovely blog, great tea towels I like the red tree.

Anonymous said...

So funny about the knitting! But I'm not in the least surprised as I think we are kindred spirits! As you have knitted it before are there any tweaks you would suggest? Are the arms long enough? I hate it if they are above my wrist. Are your knits on Ravellry? The cushion looks super - good to look at and comfy :)

flowers on my table said...

Hi Helen, thankyou for your lovely comments. I read that you should leave it late in the season before you dry Hydrangea, but I think it still must depend on something else, as my lilac and white ones were picked on the same day.I shall just keep persevering! Have a happy weekend, love Linda x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen! I love your new tea towels and think that your crochet pillow is perfect!! Happy crafting!

Unknown said...

The tea towels are lovely, but your cushion is gorgeous and so cosy i love it its so neat and square ;-) Enjoy it, dee xx

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen! Your tea towels are cute and look vintage, and your cushion is amazing :o) When I saw your post I just want to sit for a while and take a cup of tea :o) Thanks for good emotions
Warm hugs from cold Russia ( -5 C, snowing:o)
Natasha

do you mind if i knit said...

There's a world of tea towels I'm aware of, but am not familiar with. Tea towels are something we use every day, so I like the idea of drying up with something designed to bring happiness. I have a rather large stash of happy Cath K tea towels, and one's bought from car boot sales that belonged to grannies and have been patched and mended, which I love.
Wonderful cushion cover, LOVE the colours! The colours have lifted me on this grey day, thank you! Trudie is ever such a stylish rabbit isn't she! Vanessa xxx

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Both tea towels are very pretty. I am partial to red and white -- love redwork stitching too. Your blooming granny cushion is beautiful! Have a great weekend. Tammy

koralee said...

Oh yes...kitchen time is my favourite time and a sweet tea towel adds to the fun...love these!!! Thanks for sharing the link...off to take a peek. xoxox HUGS

Red Rose Alley said...

Hello,
I visited your blog today - I saw you on 'Catharina's Love.' Your blog is so pretty and charming, and you have many wonderful projects on here. While I was reading, I noticed that you have two daughters. I also have two daughters, and we started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you. Your blog is so colorful and cheerful to me, and I am leaving here today with a smile. I hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

cathleen said...

Oh, Helen, your granny cushion is lovely and I can only imagine how cozy your kitchen is. I'll bet it smells wonderful with all of your baking and cooking those yummy comfort foods.

harmony and rosie said...

Good choice on the tea towels, particularly the red. As you say, it will be perfect for Christmas. Your crochet cushion is beautiful Helen, so neatly done and in such pretty colours too.
I must say Trudie is a real cutie too.
Kate x

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen, I really like your tea towel choices and l-o-v-e your cushion and it's three dimensional effect with the flowers on the patches..yummy colours too!

...Nina Nixon... said...

Rosehips - what a jolly good idea. I wonder if I can sneak some in from the garden. I'm sure we have some....somewhere.

take care,

Nina x

Linda Edwards said...

Hi Helen, thank you for featuring my Enchanted Forest design tea towel on your blog! I love the photos of your bright and cheerful kitchen.

Very best wishes, Linda

mamagalya said...

Добрый день, Хеллен. Я в восторге от вашего рукоделия. Какое внимание к деталям. Это просто великолепно.