Friday 7 September 2012

September

We have been having such gorgeous golden september days this week..........all the autumn colours are beginning to appear, lit by the mellow sunshine which has that special september glow about it, making me nostalgic......remembering the start of school and uni terms over the years for me and later for my girls.....
.........i sewed these two new little pincushions in the sunny sewing room, with butterflies fluttering amongst the flowers outside at last......it was so wet most of the summer this year we hardly saw any.........
.......i used lecien fabric for the pincushions, and cut pieces of trefle printed fabric for the applique, plus my favourite tim holz rubber stamps, some ric rac braid tied round.......and some new stripy buttons and some old vintage ones from the button jar..........
......fun to make, fun to give......and playing like this is also my work, because that's how i get ideas for my books and magazine features ;)........love the colours of the kona solid fabrics in the background of these shots too............so many delicious shades...........
........a little collage of some september things..... i have an autumn sampler featured in this month's cross stitch collection magazine.......find lots more designs at the making spot here..........it was charlie's first day at school this week......oh my how can he already be old enough to go to school?......he enjoyed his first day and  later in the week when we saw my parents he told them all about it....it's always lovely to see the 'greats' and the 'grands' chatting together..........and the last picture in this mini collage is my first apple inspired make this autumn ......an apple and cinnamon cake....although it's a cake recipe, i served it warm in the dish as a pudding......so delicious, it is topped with flaked almonds and sprinkled with icing sugar......
..........and here is a picture of the old (brown) hall table from granny's house, painted in annie sloan's chalk paint in old white........i love this paint....when i read it needed no preparation i was sold at once :).........
......my daughter bought me the yellow gladioli yesterday but daisy chose them...insisted with a two year old's insistance that they were the ones, even though she usually goes for things in pink ......i love the look of the yellow glads in the hall, gracing the new/old table...........
..........i finally opened up this gorgeous jellyroll of fabrics, after admiring it for a few days and taking lots of photos of its rainbow beauty, i took off the ribbon and the elastic bands beneath, and unfurled all that colour........i have spent a bit of time planning my farmer's wife quilt with the help of these strips........
........thank you for visiting me here, i am planning to visit lots of blogs in the next few days and to catch up with everyone.....my giveaway is open till midnight on sunday 9 september (scroll down to the last but one post if you missed it)....i will use the random number generator thingy to choose four winners and announce them next week...good luck :).............wishing you a wonderful bright and sunny weekend doing things you love.......back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

54 comments:

gilly said...

Loving all your gorgeous & pretty things - the colours are so happy & lovely too. Have a fab weekend - enjoy the sunshine! Xx

Cat said...

Love your pretty pin cushions and your photos make me feel very spring xx

Marigold Jam said...

Such pretty makes as always. Love the yellow gladioli - Daisy was right they are exactly right on that table!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

What a wonderful description of all the things that make September the best month of the year! Back to school, golden sunshine and baking goodies after having the oven turned OFF for the summer! Oh, and time to make lovely pincushions!!! xoxo Debbie

Teresa Kasner said...

Helen.. you are such a charming woman.. I love all the colors and things and the aroma of the baking and just all of it. I'm so glad I found your blog and that I feel I can call you friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

Love your pincushions - so bright and cheery!

Anonymous said...

Love the pin cushions! Each time I see something you've made, I long to make something similar, but alas no fabrics like those and no good at choosing fabrics myself. So I just look at your beautiful objects. So glad Charlie had a good first school experience. Hugs ~ Mary

Jane said...

We are certainly enjoying some gorgeous late summer sunshine Helen. I love the different colours on your post today..the yellow flowers look lovely on that gorgeous white table. First days at school are always memorable, glad it went well! Enjoy your weekend,
Jane x

Ali said...

Gorgeous rainbow of colours love your little makes too - off on my hollies at the weekend so am hoping for some shading of golden brown and not lobster red lol xx

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

So pretty! I love the little pin cushions and how you decorated them! Very cheerful~ Hugs, Patti

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

More of your lovely things to admire!! Thank you for sharing! Fall is certainly around the corner, even though it's still quite warm it will soon be here!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

What a lovely, happy place to visit! Have a great weekend enjoying the sunshine! Ada :)

artesdejanine said...

Just loved your pincushion and the colors of the jellyroll are fantastic, it will be a farmer´s wife quilt magnific.
Nice to see your blog as always :)
Hugs
Janine

birdie blue said...

love your sunny little pincushion, helen. it sounds like your september is off to a fabulous start. glad charlie enjoyed his first day of school and your apple cinnamon cake looks absolutely delish!

love the yellow glads your little miss insisted on. perfect touch on your gran's hall table.

xo
molly

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,
what a lovely post with very beautiful pictures! And The little pincusions are so cute. I love the autumn with long evenings, candlelights, pumpkin soup and handicraft work with the kids. Oh my - do we already have September - how can it be? Have a wonderful weekend Nicole

Teresita said...

Very nice!

20 North Ora said...

Helen - Your blog is such an inspiration. It always cheers me up with all of your beautiful colors and wonderfully made items. I have your book and love going thru it again and again.

Judy

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

A farmer's wife quilt?
Oh I can't wait to see the progress on that Helen~
xx
julie

Annie Cholewa said...

I do like the fabric you've used for these pincushions Helen. Such pretty things.

The weather has been glorious here too and the year is definitely turning, in fact I just posted about it.

vintage grey said...

Love your sweet September pincushions!! Heading over to check out your beautiful autumn sampler! Have a lovely weekend! xo Heather

Patty Marker said...

I love the colors of the pin cushions and your autumn cake looks just yummy. I am anxiously waiting for fall weather here. Enjoy your weekend. Patty

Debby said...

What happy little pin cushions!!!

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen, those pincushion colours remind me of an indian summer..mainly summer with just a hint of autumn. Those are the summers that have the most glorious autumn leaves of red and gold, beautiful picnic weather!

Linda O said...

Love your pin cushions, they seem almost spring like!!
September is my favourite month, the weather always seems nicer and the colours are beautiful.
Have a great weekend.
Love Linda O xxx

Lori ann said...

hello helen! it's so nice to be back, especially here where i am always inspired! i thought of you while i was in alaska when i visited the most delightful quilt and knit shops. love your sweet pin cushions and sunny photos. happy crafting and weekend! xxx

Anonymous said...

It has been a glorious week, September always seems to shine!
Very, very pretty pincushions and what an amazing job you've done with the table, it looks great!
Daisy has excellent taste, the flowers look lovely on the table!
Hope Charlie enjoys his school days. :)
Have a wonderful weekend Helen and thank you for your lovely birthday wishes,
Vivienne x

Apple Blossom Barn said...

Hi Helen
I love September too such a lovely month
I love your pretty pin cushions and everything else you make
Annie Sloan is great to use I love your painted table
Have a lovely weekend
Denise
Ps do you use wax on your Annie Sloan paint as u find my furniture stains easily with just bees wax???

Thedarkerside73 said...

It really has been a lovely week. I thought that it might though what with the children going back to school! Always the way.

Loving your cute pin cushions so much detail. Love also your made over table so pretty. Have to say I would like to make over our kitchen units and Annie Sloane paint sounds just the ticket! We will see.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and week.


P x

Frances said...

Helen, that colorful wheel of fabric is definitely to be much admired. What great possibilities it suggests!

Your decorated pincushions are delightfully whimsical, and practical, too. I love the combination of the graph paper fabric design and the tape measure ribbon. And the stamping and buttons also add just the right additional interest.

It's so much fun to visit hereabouts! xo

Tammy said...

Every time I come here to visit, I say aaaahhh ... pretty colors, wonderful creations, beautiful blooms ... still so hot here, 111 degrees at the moment and nothing is growing. Will be glad when there is a change and cooler temps. Your Autumn sampler looks lovely. Hope you have a great weekend. Tammy

Tammy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mags said...

So glad you are getting some sun - I'm beginning to think Cumbria is getting all the rain for the rest of the county. Love the pincushions and I am hoping to try stamping on fabric myself soon, because the effect is great!

Roberta said...

I tuoi puntaspilli sono adorabili
Mi piacciono tanto i colori che scegli per le tue creazioni
Ciao
Roberta

Simone said...

A lovely and inspiring post. You are prolific in your crafts Helen! The painted table looks wonderful. I have an old brown table in the hallway and I think some chalk white paint would spruce it up nicely! have a wonderful weekend. x

fee @ chipper nelly said...

hey - a wonderful little package arrived here this morning!!! Thank you so much - it was a lovely surprise and will be treasured.
My boys are currently throwing themselves down a tarpaulin water slide in the back garden...hours of fun in the unexpected sunshine!
I know I owe you some London blocks - I'm having problems chopping into that book (and think I might have said that before!!!)
happy weekend
fee x

Katie said...

cant wait to see what you do with the gorgeous colours in the jellyroll! I love your painted table, I'm a huge fan of AS paint.... im waiting for a order to be delivered at the mo then i can finish all the bits in the house I've half done!!! xxx

My Little Home and Garden said...

All of your wonderful pretties are adding some colour to this rainy day. Although, I must say, it's a perfect day to go to the library, sip a coffee and feel guilt-free about the painting that needs to be done outside!
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, Helen.
-Karen

driftwood said...

loving your September colours, and that little desk is adorable painted white. perfect colour to offset whatever flowers you choose to display on it xxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, Lovely post and the colors of the pin cushions with the stamps and buttons and tape measure ribbons are so grand. School days, school days so nice to relive through our grandchildren. My granddaughter's first words to her mom were, "it went by so fast", now that sounds like a great first day in first grade! Sure hope your grandchildren have a wonderful experience.
xoRobin❤

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks so much for posting, Helen! Your blog encourages me each time I visit it. The colors and textures you gather satisfy the deep down longing I have to soak up beauty around me and share it with all those who will receive it.
This afternoon I have spent knitting and frogging the beginning rows of a pattern to make a little tomato pin cushion... I have been watching YouTube tutorials...ahhh that my fingers and eyes would cooperate :)
xxx from Gracie

Pat said...

I love your hint of Autumn blog Helen, mellow sunny coloured pretty ; pincushions, and the aroma of apple and cinnamon. You continue to inspire. Thank you. Pat x

KC'sCourt! said...

I love your autumn colours.
The pin cushions are wonderful
Julie xxxxxx

Crafted by Carly said...

What cute pin cushions!!! Clever you!!!
Wishing you a wonderful week.....
Hugs,
Carly
x

Madelief said...

Your week sounds lovely Helen. It must have been a delight sitting in a sun filled room doing making your pin cushions. They look lovely as always. Hope next week will be just as good.

Enjoy!

Madelief x

Rhona said...

Love your pincushions...they certainly have the 'start of autumn' feel to them!

Crafty in the Med said...

Gorgeous array of colours and I love that September colours are beginning to mingle with the summer ones...a diferent shade of green,yellow,orange and brown creeps in too....nothing can beat Nature's own colour chart. Sweet pincushions Helen....delicate combination even down to the tread you use to sew the tiny buttons on with. Love them!

keep well

Amanda :-)

koralee said...

I am in love with your pincushions! You my friend always amaze me with your talent and energy!!! Thanks for inspiring us all!

Mia said...

What a lovely little table you have, Helen, it's adorable! And with those memories of granny it's even more precious. And all those fabrics...You'll have a blast!

Happy Tuesday!

Yours,
Mia

gillyflower said...

Loving the pretty checked fabric you've used in the pin cushions Helen, they are so sweet.
Those Kaufman fabrics look delicious - I have a Kaffe Fassett jellyroll that i cannot bear to open as I just love looking at it!
The AS paints are great - you've done a lovely job of your hall table which looks perfect with the yellow gladiolis.
Gill xx

Pink Milk said...

Hello Helen!

I've just had the loveliest read of your last few posts, having been awol for a while.

As usual your blog is a total delight.

Spookily, I have just today ordered a Janet Bell print. I knew I'd seen mention of her in Blogland before!!

Have a wonderful week.

Heather x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello Helen..Such a lovely post to mark the beginning of September...my most favourite month!..Such pretty fabric for your pincushions too and I love the rainbow colours in your jelly roll.
Your table looks lovely with the Annie Sloan paint...I'm hoping to paint my chairs next week (or maybe it will be one each week..I shall see how it goes!) Daisy has such good taste..she clearly already has your creative eye Helen!
I hope Charlie has had a wonderful start to his school life...time does fly!
Speak soon,
Susan x

Gabriella said...

Hi, just to tell you from Italy I love your works and your pictures are wonderful. Bye

Pam said...

Hello Helen,
My first visit to your blog, Oh my!
Absolutely love it all!
Your pin cushions are a joy, what do you fill them with? Do you use stuffing?
Just need to hog the laptop when no-one else is around so I can have a regular fix!!

Φανή said...

I love the fabric you used! Your pincushion are wonderful. Keep up the good work!
{Fan, by sofan!}