Like most creative people, i love the tools of my trade, sometimes it's paints, brushes, thick creamy watercolour paper, fine nib rotring pens, tiny bottles of ink.....but at the moment mostly the tools of my trade are sewing things ....besides the computer of course ;-)......and i love all the little things i use each day.........
....the scissors, threads, needles and pins....and of course the pin cushions......and i had an idea to make some new ones as gifts shaped like...gifts!..... this idea was one i used for my crafts beautiful magazine xmas project which was a cushion that looked like an xmas gift tied up with ribbon with a stitched tag.....
.....i made three little pincushions from some of my favourite fabrics....and tied a bow round them, gift-style....
.....and then i made some little tags using rubber stamps and bits of cardstock, patterned papers and fabric scraps......i love to do these for fun, and then the ideas are useful for magazine commissions later.....
......the china blue card stock is a lovely shade, i think....reminds me a bit of my cornish blue blanket edging...
.......a little tag makes it look more present-like and it's always nice to write a special message to the recipient....
........so after lots of playing with these....well only a short while really as i have been working very hard on the top secret project most of the time and these were very quick to make......i had a play with the button factory set my daughter gave me.....now i've made covered buttons before, often with cross stitch on them, and had one featured as part of a corsage in Sew magazine last year.......but i have never had a whole set of button moulds to play around with at once.....so this was fun to do......and i made lots very quickly (some better than others as some were a bit wonky)....
....but i am very pleased with my new collection of covered buttons and will be adding them to my quilts and cushions....and anything else i can think of too......
....i have had to order a large amount of fabric lately for the secret project, and have turned into a bit more of a fabric aholic than i already was.....i've found some more ranges that i fell in love with which haven't yet arrived in my sewing room but will be here soon and i can't wait......
.......but this sweet jellyroll from tanya whelan has appeared already, and before i open it and work with it i decided to have a nice photo or two to put on my blog and enjoy it all rolled up like this.....sew pretty....
Thank you for dropping in today, it's lovely to see you........... I hope you are having a cheery week and if you live in the uk or anywhere else where the temperatures have dropped..............keep cosy!......wishing you a happy new month ...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxx
48 comments:
Hi Helen!! There is almost too many sweet things to look at here today! Those little tags are adorable, I have a love of fabric buttons, the pincushions are so cute and I need that jelly roll of Tanya Whelan fabric!! Happy Tuesday! xoxo Debbie
Those lovely things are all so "you" - the colours and the designs I mean. Love the little pin cushions and the idea of adding the labels is good too. Sew clever!
Beautiful pretty pretty things - I love them, especially the labels.
Julie xxxxxxx
Beautiful as always Helen. I am headed up to my craft studio but first have yet another silly question for you...What do you stuff your pin cushions with, just regular fiberfill? Patty
It's always spring when I visit here Helen no matter what the weather is like! The little cushions and tags wrapped as presents is a lovely idea. x
More pretty things, I always find such prettiness here! I also have a crush on that Tanya Whelan fabric roll! I hope you show us what you make with it, I have some and I could use some inspiration!!
Que placer trabajar con cosas tan lindas!! Tus telas y botones son una belleza!! =)
Hello Helen!...Your pin cushions are so pretty and I love the addition of the handmade tags....I am always making cover buttons from my scraps of fabric ..it is great fun and I use them in so many different ways....Tanya Whelan fabric really is so lovely ...I have quite a lot of it in my fabric stash at the moment and intend to use some in the backgrounds for my new pattern...Ooh, I'm not sure if that should be a secret!
Hope you have a wonderful crafty week,
Susan x
Helen I love your post as always, the fabrics & colors you choose are so lovely, love the pin cushions & tags real pretty & i have to agree Tanya Whelans fabrics are just the nicest ever.....i'm dying for that jelly :D
Lots of love Karen x
Dear Helen,
It's always a joy to visit your blog. You make the most beautiful things. Your pincushion and buttons look very sweet. Love your new fabrics!
Happy evening!
Madelief x
Helen, so cheery, especially like the pink polka dots. wonderful buttons too
xx
julie
Helen your blog is always so pretty, I love everything in your post today (though I always do!) I love your little present pin cushions and buttons, and the tags are such a lovely idea, really sweet, they are the perfect finishing touch. Your secret project sounds so exciting too - looking forward to when you can reveal more, sounds like you are working very hard on it! Your new fabric also looks so lovely all new in it's jelly roll - Tanya whelan fabric is also a favourite of mine, only second really to the flower sugars! hehe, hope you have a lovely rest of the week - so cold here and forecase for snow in a few days which I'm really not looking forward to! :( Jenny x
Oh Helen, your materials look so inviting to create! I love all those romantic colours and fabric buttons! Enjoy! x Teje
Helen you are showing such a collection today of sweet treasure. The pin cushion gifts are very clever and your buttons are looking great. I am so looking forward to seeing this mystery project :0) It has turned sooooo cold today and indeed show is forecast by the weekend.Brrrrrr, keep snug.
Jane xd
Such pretty things :D I have knitted 'parcel' lavender bags in the past, but would love a parcel pin cushion!
Hi, Helen! What a lovely fabrics you`ve got there! I need them :o) Could you tell me where did you buy such a sweet pieces? Please :o)
Your gift-style pincushions are very cute! And rubber stamped tags with beautiful rose roses on the blu...Ahhhh! I love them :o)
Thanks for sharing
Have a sunny & happy day
Natasha
As always I love to see all the pretties on your blog. Your little gift tags are so cute and are the perfect touch for the gift pincushions. Have a great day!
Hi Helen! I love the "cake" of pretty fabric! I don't do much sewing but I recently bought some miniature printed fabric to make a new quilt for the 4 poster bed in my dollhouse! I figure a tiny one won't be that hard.. right? LOL! Love all your crafty pretty stuff!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
They are sweet little pincushions - the tags really make them individual. And some lovely springlike fabric too!
Pomona x
Absolutely lovely, your jellyroll looks almost too good to open up.
Take care Helen, and keep warm!
Kate x
Helen, all of these photos combine to show us yet again what a unique sense of style, imagination, attention to detail and playfulness goes into all your designs.
You've made me smile a lot with this post. I really love those little cards; playing around with stamps and various papers and inks is right up my street.
xo
Your little pincushions are lovely Helen and the tiny gift tags are so sweet, I love the little postage frank marks!
Beautiful buttons too, the Button Factory looks like fun, I think I would enjoy that too. :)
Keep warm, it's so cold!
Vivienne x
Helen, so nice to see this beautiful post. I love the pincushions and fabric BUT I'm really in love with the little tags!!! They are so cute and clever and would make any gift that much more special. Can't wait to see your secret project, the fabrics are lovely. I love all your fabrics on the pincushions too. Fabric really is addictive, there are so many beautiful fabric makers these days.
Keep warm and cosy over there and I will do the same,
xoRobin❤
A beautiful post Helen. I LOVE all your fabrics. The prints and colours are SO uplifting and cheery. They can put a smile on the most glum of faces! Mine is glum with cold, but you have put a smile on it...so thank you!
Have a beautiful day!
xxxxxxxxxxxx
wonderful labels, i was just looking at some vintage postcards in my local vintage shop- i love the idea of post card cushions with the stamps on ;0)
the fabrics you have are just soooo beautiful...always a joy to see your creations helen xx
What post of happy Gorgeousness!
Loving all that jelly roll. I do love Tanya Whelan fabrics they are always so pretty.
Those covered buttons look divine too I can see why they are addictive. And what sweet pin cushions too.
Thank for such a warming and bright post.
MBB x
Hi Helen
What a lovely post, I love the tin your pretty pin cushion are in and I am going to order some of that really pretty jellyroll!
Denise
xxx
This fabric is so lovely....I have always wanted to cover buttons...I think you have inspired me to get on it! Thanks for the joy I find over here everytime I visit...and Happy February!!!!!
I loved my visit as usual! It's like seeing a new page in one of your books - which I love!
L.x.
As always an enjoyable visit! You always make such beautiful things Helen.
Lou xxx
WOW!! I'm a new follower and I'm totally in love already!...The fabrics, colours, pin cushions, gift tags...im in cuteness overload! ha ha
BIG fan already...love your work
Nicky xx
Such a lovely fabric collection. Love the covered buttons.
What pretty fabrics and your make such beautiful things as always!
Jillx
enjoyed the spring colours on this dismal day! Always lovely to see what you've been doing :)
So sweet - the colours are so cheering on a cold day like today.
Sue from @home got the button factory kit for my daughter as a gift. She loved it and even insisted I used one of her button badges as part of my recent giveaway!
Helenxx
Such lovely fabrics, pretty creations and beautiful buttons. Always so wonderful to stop and see what you are up to in your creative corner of the world. Wishing you a fabulous February! Tammy
hello there,
I just came over to say thanks for your comment, and so pleased I did because the colours here on your blog page have just made me "smile out loud"! it's like looking at a sweetshop counter.
The little pin cushions are a delight, I'm sure there can't be anyone who wouldn't relish receiving one- how clever you are to make something so simple look so lovely.
xx
What a fabulous collection of gorgeous things!
pretty! i love all the sweet colors and delicate patterns. i always feel like making something after i visit you helen.
:)
have a wonderful creative weekend!
Lovely bright post Helen. those little pincushions are so sweet, the tags are a lovely touch. your fabric buttons look great too. Hope your well, can't wait to see the secret project your working on! Katie xx
Such a beautiful post, I love coming here so much, it always brings a smile to my face :) I have to say Helen I think we have very similar fabric tastes, A little bundle has arrived here and reminds me very much of your lovely fabric likes. Sew Pretty indeed ( my twitter id is infact Sew_Pretty ;) Have a lovely weekend xx
Loving all your pinks (and other pastels too), roses and dots, Helen, they just make me smile!
Happy creating!
Yours,
Mia
oh my goodness what a lovely colour filled post :-) That fabric made my heart flutter! x
I really like the look of your little button , Helen - the girls and I would have so much fun with one. Your posts are so colourful and uplifting - thankyou!
I really like the look of your little button , Helen - the girls and I would have so much fun with one. Your posts are so colourful and uplifting - thankyou!
Hi...Helen........ The fabric you choosed really awesome. The pincushion are so lovely. Making fabric covered buttons is a creative idea. I will also try to make fabric covered buttons at home.
Hello Helen, so sorry I seem to have missed this post. Your covered buttons look like sweeties! I love the jelly rolls of fabric, so pretty, can't wait to see what you will do with them.
Many thanks for your encouraging words, they are much appreciated. I am at my most happy when I am being creative. Love to you, Linda x
Hi Helen,
I just wanted to drop you a line to say that I have just mentioned you on my blog as I used your idea for making a little pin-cushion for my Great Aunt's birthday present :0)
I thought you might like to see? I hope you don't mind.
I really enjoy reading your blog and love all of your work. I am an artist who creates artwork for children mainly but love to make all sorts of things whenever I get the chance.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy looking at my blog and thanks for making your one such a nice and inspirational read...
Take Care,
Kerri
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