Thursday 5 July 2012

Tea, Cakes and Sewing Things

I have been having a very busy week here, sewing things for magazine deadlines, drawing illustrations for book deadlines....and most important of all celebrating my birthday and my daughter rosie's birthday too!
 .........it's fun having our birthdays so close together as we often combine part of our celebrations and she was home last weekend........we have all had plenty of tea and cakes during this week.....
 ........and new pip china to use too :).........we had some delicious cakes made by my elder daughter sarah helped by charlie and daisy....they are especially fond of the part where you add the sweets to the top.......
.........i made some cupcakes  in yellow cases and added yellow roses to the top.......a bit of sunshine....
 .....because i can't yet show you the sewing i've been doing this week, i am including instead this little needlecase made a while ago and featuring a tim holz haberdashery rubber stamp and a scissor button from duttons for buttons in york......i've been using this needlecase this week for my projects.....and have also got lots of my quilt sewn too so hope to show you it finished very sooooon..............
 .....i want to say a big thank you today to two sweet blog friends who gave me awards recently......first was victoria from tangled sweetpea who gave me the versatile blogger award, and then mia at handmade by mia who gave me the sunshine award.........thank you both so much, lovely ladies :) and if you don't already know their lovely blogs do go and visit them here and here............
.........a bit of sunshine for us all today, in case some are in need of it :) ......i am loving the bright yellows of these summery birthday flowers.............
..........and here is my project in the july issue of crafts beautiful......a cupcake stitched patchwork cushion using yummy pam kitty morning fabric, and with added sparkly beads sewn onto the cake....you can now download lots of the patterns, charts and templates here.............
...........and a little cupcake postcardy tag....i love making these and adding them to each project to tie in with the theme....i also love to see how the magazine photographers style the shots using my projects.......
........there are still some cakes left here at my house....here is a virtual one for you, and i'll put the kettle on and make us all a virtual cup of tea shall i?..........thank you so much for visiting me here..........i hope all my sweet american friends had a happy fourth of july......i always love my birthday for being on that special day!.......off to do some more sewing now and hopefully i will have a finished quilt to show you next time......wishing you happy days and sunshine in the meantime........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

54 comments:

fee @ chipper nelly said...

happy birthday Helen! (and Rosie)
Lovely pictures as always.
Just got your parcel...now have to resist skipping down to the workshop when the house work is calling. (SHOUTING!)
Normally I could give in but am a bit worried I may get a call from environmental health if I don't clean up soon!
love fee x
(tennis calling too!!)

Country Rabbit said...

helloooo lovely, such beauty in all your pics- happy celebrations xx and also yumm yummy those cakes look delicious i think ive put on virtual weight hehehe xxxx

Crafts @ Home said...

Happy Birthday Helen and Rosie too, I love the look of those sunny yellow cupcakes, and all your beautiful work. Have a lovely Birthday week and don't work too hard!
Sue Xxx

driftwood said...

happy happy birthday. the cakes look divine, thanks for sharing! xxx

Missy said...

Oh dear,I love the teapot and can feel a purchase coming on! Lovely photos, so summery and fresh and your cakes look delcious. All I can think of is that teapot...
Happy Birthday for yesterday!
xx

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

Hi Helen - such a summery post and I love those yellow cupcake cases....so bright and cheery.

Happy birthday wishes to both you and your daughter - I hope you had a beautiful time together.

Nina xxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Birthday wishes to both you and your daughter!!! :)x
Your little needlecase is lovely and pretty projects for the magazine too, I really love the little tag.
Thank you so much for the virtual tea and cake, love all the sunny yellows. :)
Vivienne x

Thedarkerside73 said...

Happy Be-lated birthday to you and your daughter. Much like me and my youngest girl. Its her's today and mine was just under a week ago! Lots of cake is being/will be made as she is having a little tea party on saturday lunchtime. And of course some have been made for today. No cake on your birhtday? whatever next! lol

Love the look of yours with the sweet yellow roses on them.


P x

Paula said...

Happy Birthday to you both! With all of this yo-yoing weather in England (is it t-shirts or wellies - or both!) - your blog is like a wonderful blast of sunshine! You are now officially one of my 'Happy Places' - and I shall come on over every time I need a touch of loveliness to make me smile!
Have a wonderful day,
Paula xxx

my4lilgirls said...

Happy birthday to you Helen & to your daughter, love your cakes, the yellow cases are so sweet (how do yours stay so nice, mine always get discolored during baking!!!)
Fabulous project in the craft magazine, must be so exciting to see your work in a mag :)
Thanks for the tea & cake was yum!!!
Lol Karen x

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, love that it's on the 4th! Love the colors you're showing us today, definitely brightens up the day. The pillow you created is so perfect, you are sooo creative (and I wish I were, but that's what magazines are for, right?!?!). Thanks for the virtual spot of tea! Hugs ~ Mary

Cindy said...

Happy birthday to you and your daughter! Very pretty rose topped cupcakes. And you know I love your cross stitch designs. Have a great week!

Charlotte said...

Happy Birthday!

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I can just keep coming back and looking at all your pretty things all day! Happy Birthday to you and your daughter!

PamKittyMorning said...

Happy Birthday! I am so excited to see that you used PKM in your piece for Crafts BEautiful!!! I'm giddy!!!!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Happy Birthday Helen ande Rosie! and thank you for tea and delicious cakes! I admire your cross stitching! I have now tried but and it's more difficult than I thought. Need so much concentration and time.
Sunny wishes! x Teje

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

What a beautiful cake. I love the simple decorations , the colorful holders for the cupcakes too.
What a nice way to celebrate a birthday, and of course that teapot would only make it all the more delightful.
xx
julie

bellaboo said...

Happy Birthday to you both! Lovely post,full of bright things and happiness.
Have a wonderful weekend doing things you love. XX

Deborah said...

Happy Birthday! My sister, daughter and I all share birthdays the first week of July! Lovely yellow cupcakes!

Ali said...

Belated Birthday wishes xxx love your pictures thanks for the link xxx

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Happy birthday to you both, it all looks truly delicious Ada :)

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Happy Birthday Helen, and to Rosie! Looks like you had a beautiful time! The cakes look absolutely gorgeous! Loving the sunny yellow!
Victoria xx

Sam I Am...... said...

Happy Birthday a day late....we were all busy celebrating your birthday yesterday! LOL!
I love your little cupcakes, your new china and your quilted pillow with the cross stitch. Let's face it...there isn't anything you do or have that I don't just love! I hope your birthday was everything you hoped it would be!

Jane said...

mmmmm thanks for the virtual cake Helen, yummy. I hope it was the happiest of birthdays for you and Rosie. Looking forward to seeing your new top secret work. I so remember the buttons from Duttons as we both went there within a few weeks of one another a couple of years ago. Where do the years go?!!Have a lovely weekend, nearly there,
Jane x

claire said...

Happy Birthday Helen - hope you had a lovely day. I LoVe the little cupcake tag.

cupcakejojo said...

Oooh Happy Happy Birthday to you Helen & to your daughter Rosie too! Yummy looking cakes. I just love your yellow cupcakes, so sunny and happy.

Jo x x x

Teresa Kasner said...

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to your both! It looks like you celebrated in a wonderful happy way. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been working on. I love your colorful china! We celebrated your birthday with a parade here.. I posted photos on my blog. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Natalia Glazacheva said...

All the best to you, sweet Helen and to your daughter Rosie too! Looks like you all had a lovely time...yummy sunny cupcakes...lovely greengate and pip china...so sweet cake by Sarah and her little helpers :o)...gorgeous cupcake stitched patchwork cushion and cute needlecase. All it looks so gorgeous!
Kisses to you, Helen and to all your Family
Natasha & Fam.

Simone said...

Belated 4th July Birthday wishes Helen! Such a lovely day to have your birthday on! Thank you for the perfectly formed virtual cake. It was delicious!!! x

vintage grey said...

Happy Birthday Helen and to your sweet daughter! The cupcakes with the roses are so pretty! Your needlebook is so adorable with the scissor button. Love it! Wishing you a beautiful rest of the week! xo Heather

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! The little needle book is so cute!

Linda O said...

Happy Birthday to you, Helen, and to your daughter Rosie.
Your cakes look so pretty, almost too good to eat!!!
Love the teapot too.
Have a great week.
Love Linda O xxx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Happy belated birthday wishes to you and Rosie, Helen!...I'm always going to remember that your special day is the fourth of July!
Ah..lovely cushion,cupcakes and Pip Studio china..So many pretty things to brighten up this very wet morning!
Hope you have a happy weekend and time for a rest too....
Susan x

DianeM said...

Happy Belated Birthday Helen! It looks like you had a lovely day :)
Smiles, DianeM

Sophie said...

I adore those cupcakes - they are gorgeous and I want a big cake stand full of them all to myself.
I couldn't eat them though, I'd just have to look at them as they are so pretty!

Kay said...

Happy birthday. I always enjoy catching up with your blog because it is cheerful and happy. You have beautiful, colourful photos ans inspiration. Love the needlecase.

KC'sCourt! said...

Thank you for the virtual tea and cake - yummy!
Gorgeous pictures
Julie xxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Ooohh wow those cupcakes looks so pretty i love the injection of yellow spots with the flower what a smashing idea ;-) Happy belated birthday wishes to both you and your daughter, dee x

My Little Home and Garden said...

You live with such creativity and beauty, Helen.

Have a glorious weekend!

-Karen

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Congratulations on your and Daisies birthday! I hope you had a lovely day?! The cake and cupcakes look beautiful. Love your new teapot. Such a beautiful design!

Thank you for taking part in my giveaway and putting a link on your blog!

Happy weekend,

Madelief x

Mary Poppins said...

Happy birthday wishes to you and your daughter :) What a beautiful post, so much joy and happiness to drool
over rather than this miserable rain! By the way I adore the little cushion, the pink floral fabric you have used within it is one of my most favourite to play with I just love the range. Have a lovely weekend xx

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you Helen and Rosie,super piccies as always,the cakes look delicious and the new china beautiful. love the little scissors button so cute.looking forward to seeing the quilt.have a lovely weekend,love juliexxx

Rhona said...

Happy birthday Helen and also to Rosie too! Your cupcakes look gorgeous, i hope you still have at least one left for me!!!

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen...how cheery are those sunshiney yellow cupcakes? It is a dull day here so a touch of sunshine does my spirit a load of good!

sew said...

What a lovely post for two birthday girls! I think all birthdays should last at least a week - one day is not enough!

Sewmancer said...

Happy birthday - it looks like the baked goods were a real treat!

Galina Hristova said...

Τι γλυκο!Χρονια πολλα!Ειναι τελειο!

artesdejanine said...

Happy birthday dear Helen and Rosie,love your photos as always,the cakes look delicious and the china is beautiful.
love the little scissors button so lovely.
looking forward for your next post :o)
Hugs
Janine

gillyflower said...

Wishing you and your daughter a Belated Happy Birthday!
Lovely sunny images, especially those lovely yellow cupcakes and the gorgeous Pip studio china. Just what we need to see on these dull summer days!
Have a good week Helen!
Gill xx

koralee said...

Happy Birthday to you my friend. Your little yellow lined cakes looks so pretty and the pip studio china...delightful! Happy new week to you.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Happy belated birthday to you, Helen -- and to your daughter, too. Your little cupcake creations -- real and stitched are delightful. Have a wonderful week. Tammy

Annie Cholewa said...

I missed a post, and your birthday too :(

A belated Happy Birthday Helen and Rosie.

Thank you, virtual cupcakes are exactly what I need ... I'm on a very literal diet ;D

harmony and rosie said...

Happy belated birthday Helen and Rosie and thank you for the cake. I'm so pleased it is the yellow one, that one's my favorite.
Kate x

Catia Pinho said...

Happy birthday Helen and Rosie!

maybe you like my blog: asantafelicidade.com

xo xo