Saturday 1 September 2012

Hidden Gardens

First of all today i want to say a big thank you to all the lovely readers who have already entered my giveaway on the previous post....so lovely to read all your sweet comments :)....if you'd still like to enter the giveaway you can as it is open until september 9...just scroll down to join in :)...........
 ........these pictures were taken at the hidden gardens at plas cadnant which we visited while at the menai straits regatta.....these gardens have been recently restored, in fact they are still under restoration, and are absolutely beautiful......you can read more about them on the website here...........
.......i loved the mixture of formal and informal, and the sheer exuberance of borders like this with apple trees laden with bright red fruit surrounded by colourful flowers............
........there is a newly opened tea room too with delicious baking.... and here is a peek inside it at the lovely blue grey lloyd loom chairs .....hydrangeas are growing everywhere in the most lovely shades..........
........in our own garden now....the bottom part of the garden is so over lush with all the summer rain we've had, it's easy to hide a little daisy in amongst the cranesbill and mallow growing there at the moment.....the little lemon tea card shown here is part of my tea and coffee cards project for this month's crafts beautiful magazine....see more crafts beautiful things here..........
.........a few weeks ago a friend invited me for afternoon tea in her lovely garden.....she hasn't lived in the house long yet has already made the garden her own style.........i spent a happy afternoon there with my friend and her family, plus small woolly dog and parrot in a cage :)........the garden had so many lovely features, it was very inspiring....i especially like the idea of using little rose trees and borage plants as a screen along a path edge.........and of course i loved the bunting too :)
..........a blue potting shed....and a potting table out in the sunshine too......and an old garden lawn roller with a new look....... i just love visiting other people's gardens, it must count as one of my favourite things..
........some crafty news now....this is the farmer's wife quilt block called peaceful hours, included today because of all those peaceful hours i've spent in gardens this spring and summer, and because it is the fiftieth block i've made....so i am going to put all the blocks together now and make the lap quilt......
.........just have to decide what colour to use for the sashing now :).......the kona solids roll of 200 colours should help me to choose which would look best...........but it may take some time to make up my mind...........
..........this is my flower garden crochet blanket being made, in soft pinks and greens, with the added zing of a bit of magenta in some of the flowers......will show you more of it soon..........don't forget to visit my last post for the giveaway which is open until september 9...........thank you so much for visiting me here today...........i wish you all a wonderful weekend.............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

50 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Wish someone would come and restore my garden! I have Bind Weed - its like wasps it won't go away!

You use such pretty colours
Julie xxxxxx

homemade@myplace said...

love your crochet blanket!!!
Have a lovely weekend, xxx Alessandra

Happy in red said...

I never quitr know what to do with jelly rolls! Cn't wait to see the WIP on your crochet blanket.
Esther.

Tangled Sweetpea said...

What a stunning garden! Beautiful pictures as always Helen! Loving your sweet crochet too! The colours are so so pretty!
Victoria xx

Naturally Carol said...

That's a brilliant idea making the crochet rug like a little parterre garden with flowers in the middle separated with the green hedges..the magenta really does it's job in adding a zing! I hope your weekend is zinging along as well Helen.

Country Rabbit said...

beautiful gardens and tea room ;0)
love the pretty colours of your fabrics, always a treat for my eyes xx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

What beautiful gardens, all of them stunning.
I love hydrangeas, my favourite is blue. I love how the doors match the hydrangeas in your second photo. :)
That's a very pretty little pink daisy in your garden!!!
Gorgoeus crochet Helen, looking forward to seeing more of it. :)
Happy weekend,
Vivienne x

Susan said...

Beautiful gardens indeed! And I am loving the crochet too!

Simone said...

It is always a pleasure to stop by your blog Helen. It really lifts the spirits and it is always sunny!!! Your friend seems to have a similar taste to you in her garden design. Very pretty. Love all your creative makes too.

Annie Cholewa said...

I keeping seeing jelly rolls and I am getting a sewing itch, oh yes indeed I am.

Looking forward to seeing both the quilt and the blanket Helen.

trish said...

Hi Hellen. The gardens you shared are so pretty. I can only imagine how lovely they must be to walk through. Your flower garden blanket is so cute! So soft and pretty colors. :0) I hope you are having a lovely weekend. Trish xo

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen,

What gorgeous gardens!! How lucky your friend is to have such a cute potting shed!!
Your flower garden blanket is lovely and is making want to pick up the crochet hook sometime this weekend!!
Happy weekend xoxo Debbie

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Such lovely gardens. Nothing growing here right now since our temperature is still around 47 most days. Hot, hot, hot. Love the sweet colors you have chosen for your blanket. I haven't been creating much of anything for more than a week now. Back to work/school always means time is limited. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Ella said...

Helen the garden looks gorgeous
I really like your crocheted things
Have a fab weekend
Ella xxx

mags said...

I just love the mauve and purple colours in the garden against the grey slate, beautiful. I'm very excited to see your farmer's wife quilt coming to fruition especially as I have one block to finish to make the 35 I want for a wall hanging. Have a great week.
Mags

Kay said...

Your sweet little block is so pretty. The Kona solids look gorgeous together, I think I would spend lots of time admiring it all first.

Debby said...

Love all the eye candy you have shared today, everything is beautiful!!

Gracie Saylor said...

Visiting your blog is a gift to myself. Thank you for posting, sharing the beauty around you and the beauty you create. You encourage me to follow your lovely example, Helen :)
xxx Gracie

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

All the gardens are beautiful, I love visiting gardens too, big NT gardens or friends gardens doesn't matter! Love your creations! Ada :)

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen! I really enjoyed all the garden photos! When I laid my eyes on your blanket.. my heart skipped a beat.. you have chosen such soothing and pleasing colors for this, it just sings! Now I want to make one! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

The warm fireplace said...

What beautiful gardens, love the pastel shades of the crochet blanket, an oasis of calm your blog.
sue

Anonymous said...

Is there a way to "join" your blog so it comes in my email? Thanks!

Jane said...

So sweet to spot a "Daisy" in your garden Helen. I so agree that there is nothing more pleasant than exploring other people's gardens. Enjoy your weekend, Jane x

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous post!
Thea x

My Little Home and Garden said...

It was nice to see the gardens, potting sheds, and especially your own handiwork, Helen.
-Karen

Sarah @ Chantille Fleur said...

Oh wow, such lovely pictures! I must try and learn to crochet again, I can knit so haven't really been bothered, but crochet blankets are just so nice, aren't they?
Sarah xx

Rhona said...

As always you have the most beautiful pictures to share.
I love your crochet blanket - such wonderful colours. Your crochet pictures have inspired me to learn to crochet - thank heavens for Youtube videos!!

Frances said...

Helen, everything in this post pleases the eye (my eye particularly) and inspires future creativity.

Many thanks for these photos. xo

artesdejanine said...

Peacefull moments in the garden, is excelent for the spirit and mind, nice to see your garden photos, beautifull flowers, landscapes and tea china :)
Your garden blanket it is magic, has the perfect colors ***
As always is a pleasure to read your blog and see your posts.
Wish you a good day a craft work ***
Hugs
Janine ( artesdejanine)

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely garden you have show n us - your photos are even more stunning when enlarged to show the detail! Your quilt will be beautiful I'm sure do show us when you've done it and the pretty crochet all in "your" soft colour palette Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

what a post of creative gorgeousness :)
Thank you for sharing your garden photos - beautiful and I love all the sewing, quilting and crochet. Helen - you have the midas touch! Have a great week. Claire x

Jessie Fincham said...

Great FW block, they're so fun to do aren't they :) Your crochet blanket is so sweet, it's coming together lovely.
Jessie, xo

sew said...

What divine colours throughout this post - and those Lloyd Loom chairs!!
Love your teatime cards in CB mag as I'm the biggest fan of tea - EVER!
I'm getting a bit behind with magazine reading & need to set aside some time to get to grips with it!
I do so want a potting shed as well .... so much to do!!

vintage grey said...

What a beautiful gardens!! So pretty and green! You flower garden blanket is so sweet! Love the colors! Happy weekend to you Helen! xo Heather

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Your posts are always a joy to look at! So much to see. Is the little girl in the pink and white spotted sweater your granddaughter. What a lovely name does she have :-)!

The photo's of the French garden and the garden of your friend look lovely!

Madelief x

lindsey said...

This is and my first visit to your blog and I love it!

Pomona said...

So many lovely pictures - really lovely to see on a grey day!

Pomona x

Crafty in the Med said...

Hello Helen
Beautiful gardens!
I hope paradise will be like this....I'll be happy to go to a place like this when my time comes...
I could wander for days here...and there is a tea shop too...ok that just makes it perfect!
Gorgeous blanket with wonderful combination of colours...........look forward to seeing more.

keep well

Amanda :-)

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Such beautiful colors, you always amaze me!! Love your crochet blanket, those colors are just perfect together.

koralee said...

Happy September my friend...your friend has a very sweet garden. September gardens are the best I think..everything is in it's glory. xoxox Hugs

my4lilgirls said...

Beautiful photos Helen, I love gardens, so peaceful to walk around.
Your blanket is lovely, soft & gardeny.
Have a wonderful week
Karen x

Unknown said...

Those gardens looks beautiful and so full of pretty colour just like your blanket its gorgeous, dee x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello Helen...I've just returned from Bents stunning garden centre...I've had to be very restrained and here is another treat reading your lovely post...I'm so inspired now that I'm going to spend the evening in our garden as the sun is shining and it's been such a beautiful day...
I'm so looking forward to seeing your lap quilt too as I know it will be beautiful..
I always love your pretty crochet projects...it's still on my 'to do' list!
Happy Wednesday!
Susan x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

HI Helen,
How in the world did I miss this beautiful post. Oh, the colors, granny squares, gardens, flowers and a "Daisy" spotting! All such sweetness! I absolutely love the "peaceful hours" quilt block. I think it's my favorite but it also might be the beautiful fabric and colors!?! I even spied my hook : )
xoRobin❤

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

HI Helen,
How in the world did I miss this beautiful post. Oh, the colors, granny squares, gardens, flowers and a "Daisy" spotting! All such sweetness! I absolutely love the "peaceful hours" quilt block. I think it's my favorite but it also might be the beautiful fabric and colors!?! I even spied my hook : )
xoRobin❤

Deborah said...

Gorgeous pics as always sweetie, your friends garden looks amazing! how nice to sit with her in this lovely surrounding! have a wonderful weekend sweetie :)

Bee happy x

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

I love your friend's garden and her little garden shed! Your blog is such a pretty place to visit!~Hugs, Patti

Lori ann said...

oh your blanket! and the gardens and the little blue shed. i will have to go back now and look a little more closely. someone said your posts are a treat and it's true! xxx

Linda said...

Look forward to your blog each week.... lovely designs and colours. I don't know how you fit in so much stitching and hooky. You put me to shame!
Would love to buy a dotty crochet hook but have never seen them for sale any idea where I could buy one please? xx

Pami said...

lovely things you´re doing!
i´ll be back :-)