Helen Philipps: November Studio

Monday, 14 November 2011

November Studio

Today i thought you might like a little look at my studio, now in a slightly less tidy state than when i showed you last time after the big sort out, but not too bad (yet).....i brought the lovely little rose hips in from the garden yesterday after Mr P pruned one of the rambling roses and i was finally able to reach them......and here are some more berries in the form of one of Vanessa's sweet holly brooches, such a treat.....

....i love Vanessa's blog and work and these little brooches are like tiny sculptures, made from a mix of paper mache, crochet, fabric and embroidery and so cleverly constructed that you can move each berry and leaf as they are wired individually...i tried the brooch on my conrflower cardi...lovely....and the colours reminded me rather of the mille colori yarn i bought this time last year at the knitting and stitching show.....i used the yarn for this corkscrew scarf......

......the pattern and yarn can be found here.....the holly brooch looks lovely decorating my studio this week, but i know it will also be perfect on my winter coats......

....and here is a card featuring one of Vanessa's delightful sculptures...Sir Henry Brambles is on my mantlepiece this week... you can find Vanessa's sculptures, cards, paintings and prints here.....

......and now it's nearly time for me to go back to my crafty work, helped of course by a nice cup of tea...this week i am making some top secret projects....i am also making something for a giveaway which i'll tell you about very soon.......

.....i bought some new felt supplies at a big craft store at the weekend, you can always tell it's November in my studio when i start cutting things out of festive felt......

........and here is a sneak peek of what i'm stitching in the evenings, cosy by the fire, making a new quilt to brighten up the xmas sofa....i'm so enjoying quilting this simple design, and loving all the fabrics in it, some of which i've had a long time......thanks for popping in to my bit of blogland and for all your lovely comments.....hope you have a wonderful, cosy, crafty week.....back soon. xxx

42 comments:

Happy in red said...: Great photographs!!
Esther.; 14 November 2011 at 12:10
millefeuilles said...: Hello Helen!

A beautiful post! I am a big fan of Vanessa's work. I bought her christmas cards and managed to control my impulse to click on the 'buy now' button for the brooch: it is SO pretty and each one is unique. Your scarf marries PERFECTLY with your holly brooch as well as your pretty blue cardigan (is that the Rowan cotton blend yarn I like so much?)

I feel all warm inside so thank you very much. Failing having a cup of tea with you I shall go off and make myself one. I've just bought a fantastic Christmas tea and it is making me dream away these November days.

Have a beautiful week.; 14 November 2011 at 12:12
driftwood said...: so many pretty things. I love making those curly scarves, that wool you have used is gorgeous x; 14 November 2011 at 12:26
Lyckligs-Cozy-Cottage said...: Oh how I love your pictures, I really can imagine your cozy creative hours. I love christmas decorations so much too!; 14 November 2011 at 13:54
debbie @ happy little cottage said...: Scrumptious!!!! That scarf is wonderful and the quilt is going to be so so amazing on your sofa! Love visiting here in the morning!; 14 November 2011 at 14:26
Patty Marker said...: It must be so easy to feel inspired in your beautiful studio. I love your basket of felt and the quilt is lovely. Patty; 14 November 2011 at 14:36
bellaboo said...: I love those little rose hips and always have an arrangement in the house at Xmas.Your new quilt is gorgeous,adore the fabrics and colour combi! :0); 14 November 2011 at 15:10
morikomidori said...: so many things to love in this post ❤

the scarf and brooch are so perfect for each other!
i have one of Vanessa's gorgeous holly brooches too :) i really treasure it, she is such lovely, talented lady.
your quilt is beautiful! the fabrics adorable. i love the seasonal colours.

wishing you a lovely week xxx

sumea; 14 November 2011 at 15:14
greenrabbitdesigns said...: I love Vanessa's work too and your new brooch goes so well with your scarf!!
Your quilt is so beautiful Helen definitely festive. :)
Have a great week,
Vivienne x; 14 November 2011 at 15:22
Simone said...: A lovely post Helen. I like vanessas work too. She is very talented as are you! The scarf is so pretty and so is the quilt. Enjoy your crafty week! x; 14 November 2011 at 15:47
Annie @ knitsofacto said...: Of all the wonderful colourful things in this post it's that little bit of patchwork that pops right out at me. Can't wait to see the finished item.; 14 November 2011 at 15:50
Jenny said...: Oooh Helen, another super pretty post! Love your new quilt, the reds and greens are so festive, just right for a spot of cosy evening sewing! Vanessa's brooch and cards are so pretty too - have been admiring them for a while, lucky you to own them :) Have a happy rest of your Christmas crafty week xxx; 14 November 2011 at 16:04
Coco Rose Diaries said...: I LOVE to pop by here and visit you Helen....your posts are just a big shot of 'boost me up' joy!

Vanessa's Blog is gorgeous, she is such a talented lady. Your brooch from her is beautiful.

Have a super duper lovely week!

Vanessa xxxxxxxxx; 14 November 2011 at 16:07
dutch sisters said...: Everything is so pretty!
Have a good week Helen. :); 14 November 2011 at 16:17
Deborah said...: Your basket looks great with the felt in :) happy crafting!

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!; 14 November 2011 at 16:28
Kentish Keg-Meg said...: Lovely post that is so uplifting.Love these November nights crafty by the fire. Great colours in your scarf.; 14 November 2011 at 17:42
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: Hello Helen...Ooh, another lovely and inspiring post...I do love my visits here!...
Vanessa's brooch looks so pretty on your cardigan ...I am going to visit her blog very shortly(and isn't that just the prettiest of blues?)..
Your quilt is looking fabulous too..lovely fabrics and colour choices...now I shall share a cup of tea with you in cyberspace!
Hope you have the best of weeks,
Susan x; 14 November 2011 at 17:58
flowers on my table said...: Hi Helen, thanks for the links, I will check them out, as I am not familiar with them. I love your little holly brooch, it looks so good on your wonderful scarf. Sir Henry Brambles is just the cutest!
I love your Christmas quilt too, what a lovely idea. Have a very crafty week! Much love, Linda x; 14 November 2011 at 18:37
Carole said...: Oh Helen i just LOVE your blog. I can`t say anymore! JUST LOVE IT
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxxx; 14 November 2011 at 19:01
Mia said...: I am a fan of Vanessa, too, Helen, and your brooch is fantastic with that cardi! Festive but not too so.

Your studio looks beautiful, thank you so much for sharing!

Yours,
Mia; 14 November 2011 at 19:04
greenthumb said...: Looks like you have been so busy, I love that little brooch so pretty.; 14 November 2011 at 19:17
Jane said...: What a pretty brooch Helen and it looks perfect on your lovely cardi.Good to see you are working on some festive projects. Have a creative week,
Jane x; 14 November 2011 at 19:44
mynestofyarnandbuttons said...: Hi Helen, Lovely post. So sorry I never purchased a brooch from Vanessa, I'm a fan too. AND THEY ARE ALL SOLD. The brooch looks so nice on your scarf. Love all your Christmas fabrics and festive happenings. Can't wait to see what comes out of the makings in the basket! More sneak peeks! Have a wonderful week. xoRobin❤; 14 November 2011 at 20:50
Anonymous said...: Lots of excitement. I could curl up under that flumpy quilt right now :); 14 November 2011 at 21:59
Unknown said...: Loving your quilt the fabrics are gorgeous and so warm. Lovely brooches to very festive. Have a lovely week, dee xx; 14 November 2011 at 22:12
Unknown said...: Lovely post. WIsh I had 'crafty work' to do but I'm a PA. Love your Christmas quilt, it's a beauty.
Nicki x; 14 November 2011 at 22:41
do you mind if i knit said...: Hello Helen,
I have to say, your quilt is looking fabulous, it almost looks vintage, which can be difficult to achieve with sparkling new fabrics, it's going to be a real stunner! And thank you very much for being so lovely, lovely, lovely about my cards and the brooch, it's always a special thing when a blogger says wonderful things about other people's work, and you have been very generous with what you say here, thank you so much Helen. The brooch looks wonderful against the cornflower blue of your cardi doesn't it, and also looks very at home on your beautiful scarf, that's so satisfying to be able to see! Thank you again for your generosity of nice things you say! Vanessa xxxxxxx; 15 November 2011 at 11:07
flowers on my table said...: Hello Helen, thankyou so very much for your lovely words. I was in two minds about whether to write that post or not. I feel now after reading the touching and heartfelt comments that I did the right thing.My Mum was quite a woman, she had great humour too and loved the nicknames that the statue received.It is a wonderful legacy, and it is only now with the passing of time, that I see the enormity of it.Thankyou once again, your words certainly mean a lot. With much love, Linda x; 15 November 2011 at 11:14
Teje Karjalainen said...: Hi Helen! You have again so lovely projects going on! That quilt looks so sweet and I love the blue scarf! I'm also big fan of Vanessa - her works are just adorable!
Have a lovely week!
xxx Teje; 15 November 2011 at 14:02
sew said...: Good to see Dolly again!
I too have a lovely example of Vanessa's work in the form of a 'Bunny Girl' print which she kindly personalised with the name and birth details of my granddaughter.
It's now framed and hangs in her nursery.
Lovely seasonal colours, Helen!; 15 November 2011 at 14:07
koralee said...: I love the colours of your studio...so bright and cheery..and your mug..pure joy. xoxo Happy day dear one.; 15 November 2011 at 14:18
Frances said...: Helen, there is so much to inspire us in this post. Lots of beautiful colors, creativity from two gifted ladies (you and Vanessa) and a subtle reminder that a certain season is waiting in the wings.

xo; 15 November 2011 at 15:34
Pomona said...: I love your Christmas sofa quilt - it would look perfect on my kitchen sofa too! I really like the combination of red and green.

Pomona x; 15 November 2011 at 21:51
Lorraine Young Pottery said...: Always so much to see on your blog posts, and I love all the photos. The patterns you selected for the quilt are precious with that unexpected gray and white pokadot square. Your corkscrew scarf is knitted in my favorite to wear color!

HUGS Lorraine; 16 November 2011 at 20:58
Susan Freeman said...: I love the fabrics you have chosen for the quilt you are currently stitching ~ just charming!!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley; 16 November 2011 at 23:25
Naturally Carol said...: Hi Helen..your reds and greens are sublime and I also love the white jug in your top picture. It reminds me of embroiderie anglaise. I hope your cool days are filled with cosiness.; 16 November 2011 at 23:53
Sewmancer said...: Vanessa's cards are stunning. I've been visiting and revisiting trying to decide when to get them! (Trying very hard to keep down my crafty spending); 17 November 2011 at 09:03
Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...: Always so nice to visit your crafty, cozy, creative world. Wishing you all the best for a wonderful weekend. :) Tammy; 18 November 2011 at 08:45
L'Heure Bleue At Home said...: Such lovely photographs! The rose hips look beautiful in the white pitcher. Thank you so much for visiting L'Heure Bleue At Home.; 18 November 2011 at 17:13
Madelief said...: Dear Helen,

I will have a look at your friends store. She made some lovely things! Love the colours of your quilt. It looks so cheerful!

Wish you a happy weekend & lieve groet,

Madelief x; 18 November 2011 at 18:50
cathleen said...: Helen...have I told you lately how much I appreciate your visits and comments? Well, I do. I am loving your cornflower blue cardi...such a happy color. And that is one pretty quilt you are stitching. Have a lovely weekend.; 19 November 2011 at 01:09
Anonymous said...: oooh, so pretty! :); 20 November 2011 at 20:10