Saturday 10 November 2012

London Days

 London town is where we've been for the last few days, so if i've seemed rather quiet in blogland this week that's why :).....i do love a bit of london time....all the hustle and bustle......lots to see and do......we often stay near kensington high street....i used to stay there with friends when i was an art student years ago and since those days have often been involved in the stitching shows at olympia just down the road..........
..........love to travel in a london cab seeing well known street names and buildings as you go from place to place.......amongst other things this trip we had a day at the country living christmas fair at the business design centre in islington.............
...........a stunning array of stands with everything looking gorgeous and soooo festive..........i haven't sorted out all my pictures yet as we have only just got back, but i will show you some of my treats in another post.......
.........but here are some treats i had earlier......my adorable london blocks made by wonderful fee at chipper nelly for our recent london swap........they are made from an old ladybird london book and i just love them....i love the sweet tag that came with them too and the way they are packaged with dotty cellophane, red and white ribbon and a vintage button...............you can see fee's gorgeous new christmas makes here.................
 ............i made the little london house on the spur of the moment just before i went away....you know how inspiration suddenly strikes and you have to quickly make something ;) .....i used some scraps of the benartex cool brittannia fabric left over from my jubilee makes, and the new sewing print text fabric is from sew and quilt here which i know i will be using a lot................
...........the new magazine below is out now to inspire your xmas making.......can you see one of my little houses (made quite a while ago) on the front of this lovely cover?..........the magazine has lots of ideas and also festive at home features with debbie bliss, nicki trench and...me as well!!..........so exciting..........
.............i would like to say a big thank you for all the sweet comments about my farmer's wife quilt that i showed in the last post.....i have missed sewing it this week and am looking forward to a lot of quilting again now.......a warm welcome to my new readers and followers and my old blog friends too.....i love your visits.......wishing you all a wonderful weekend with cosy crafty times................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxx

41 comments:

Naturally Carol said...

To London, to London..to visit the Queen? We have had Royals on the mind this week..or rather on the tv a lot..with the visit of Prince Charles and Camilla to our shores this week! Your trip to London sounded very exciting especially the Country Living Christmas Fair. I hope your weekend is wonderful Helen.

Aunt Spicy said...

So lovely! Your little house is so sweet!

sew said...

I've just returned home from shopping and now I'm going out again to see if I can find that magazine! I do so want to make one of your little houses - I've worked out my own version so it'll be interesting to see how accurate (or otherwise) I was!! A London visit is such fun - glad you had a good time & will look forward to seeing your other treats.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Looks like you had a lot of fun! Lovely little London house, that newspaper fabric is really funny! I'm off to the Harrogate fair and I'm sooo looking forward to it! :)

homemade@myplace said...

love London, too!!!!!
congrats for the magazine feature!!!
xxx Alessandra

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Congratulations!! Your little houses are so sweet! I love London too, and adore that London fabric! Welcome home! xoxo Debbie

Jane said...

What a coincidence Helen, my latest post is all about my recent Harrods trip.. as you well know London is my favourite city in the whole world and I am lucky my hubby works there and we are just a short train journey away. The Christmas Fair looks such fun and as for your London makes...gorgeous. How lovely to see you featured on the cover of the magazine, many congratulations. Your work so deserves this recognition. Happy weekend,
Jane x

Frances said...

Helen, thank you for giving me this taste of some familiar parts of London. It's so much fun at this time of the year as hints of coming holidays are in the air.

Your little London house is very clever...the way in which you introduce just enough detail into your designs is terrific!

I am going to be on the look out for the Handmade Christmas magazine. It's bound to show up over here eventually.

Thank you also for the link to the very talented Fee.

As always, best wishes. xo

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

My dream is London, someday!! A very sweet little house!!

GrannyTaughtMeToCrochet said...

I adore those homes - ca't wait to get that mag! looks brilliant! xxxxx

Cindy said...

I also dream of visiting London someday. Love your little houses. I have not seen this magazine anywhere here. Hopefully Barnes and Noble will carry it.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love a trip to London, even if I now have to do it through your pictures! Your house is gorgeous, and I'm proud of your house on the magazine cover!

Tangled Sweetpea said...

I do so love a trip to London! Love your sweet London house and blocks!
Victoria xx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Wonderful London post, Helen! I would love to visit again and to see so much more than I did in one day 10 years ago when I returned from my sister's wedding or ... hmm 30 years ago. This time London must be so beautiful and exiting! x Teje

Karen said...

I'm a new reader of your blog and i am addicted already! Your work is beautiful. I wish your new book was being released for Christmas, nevermind somthing to look forward to.
Your a very clever lady!

Karen

Simone said...

A great little London house! I had forgotten about the County Living fair and look forward to seeing what you bought! x

Susan Freeman said...

Love your London house! I have such fond memories of spending time in London with my friends who are so fortunate to live in your country. I truly believe that London cabs are the best in the world!

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Crafts @ Home said...

Love your London make, your work is always such a treat to see, I have yet to visit a country living fair, I had to send my OH one year as I was unwell and had bought tickets.
Sue Xxx

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh Helen.. I loved going to London with you.. I may never make it there in person, so you sharing your trip with us means a lot to me. I'm so impressed that your items are in that magazine!! I want one!!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

London this time of year must be lovely with the Christmas decorations. The Country Living fair sounds good too. I hope to be able to visit myself one day.

Your London house and the cube by Fee look really good. Such an honour to have one featured on the cover of a magazine!!

Have a lovely weekend!

Madelief x

mags said...

Bet London Was also beginning to have the Xmas buzz! I made three of your little Xmas houses last year (and a rabbit) and can't wait it get them out!

Anonymous said...

A lovely London post Helen, love your little London house and Fee's blocks are as always amazing!!!
I would have loved to have visited the Country Living Fair! :)
Congrats on the magazine feature, well deserved.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your quilting,
Vivienne x

harmony and rosie said...

Congratulations on the mag feature, your little house is adorable, as is the London one. Everyone seems to be coming up to London at the moment .. and I'm just about to leave!
Have a wonderful week Helen.
Kate xox

Lori ann said...

it's so exciting visting you helen, this time i feel like i've been to london a little with you (wouldn't that be a thrill!) i love the british country living, what a treat that show must have been. LOVE your house, it's SO cute. congratulations on another magazine, i will look for it too, even if it takes a few months to get here. i'm looking forward to seeing your treasures you brought back.

p.s. chipper nellie's blocks, oh my!

koralee said...

Welcome home...I would love some London time right about now. Congratulations....for making the cover...joy x 100.. your little houses are just darling. xoxo

Deborah said...

I've always wanted to visit London during the holidays. I have fond memories of visiting in the summertime with my very adventurous mother. . Your London house is an immediate hit with me. Looking for your lovely magazine in in California.....wish me luck....

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a lovely trip. I do hope to make it to London one day. My son wanted to take a December trip there with his buddies -- sort of a senior trip (rather than spring break) but don't think I'm ready to send my 17 year old out on his own in the dead of winter. :) Teenage boys, they think they are so grown up but don't have a clue. Your little London house is so very pretty. Love those fabrics. The fair sounds like it would have been a very inspiring, wonderful place to be. And that magazine looks fantastic. We don't get any good crafting, or any kinda magazines over here. That's why it is nice to travel out of country to visit airport bookshops. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I too love London - and love your work (as ALWAYS!!) Congratulations on the feature - so well deserved.
I saved your email to write a proper reply - doh!
Thanks for sharing the chipper love again - I always have such lovely people popping over from yours!!
Happy sunday - looks like a nice day for us both
fee xx

thesnailgarden said...

Great post. Although I am a country girl, I too love to visit London. Gorgeous blocks and house. I must look out for that magazine. Best wishes, Pj x

Unknown said...

London sounds wonderful its nice to escape every once in a while. I so like your little house its really sweet and would look great on the xmas tree even. Have a lovely week, dee x

Serpil said...

i miss London .. i remembered my visit What a nice old days !

vintage grey said...

Looks like you had such a lovely time!! Your London house is so cute! Congrats on being in such a sweet magazine! Looks very inspiring for Christmas! Have a lovely weekend! :) xo Heather

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Oh Helen, how I love all your London things. And that magazine looks so inspiring....would love to get my hands on one to see your houses!
xoRobin❤

Annie Cholewa said...

I'm hoping to get to both the Knitting and Stitching Show and the Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate later this month, but a weekend in London looks like the fun way to do these things.

Love the little house :D

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, I do love to live vicariously through my blogging friends, and like nothing better than a trip to London.Your pics are great, so atmospheric. Your new London blocks are wonderful, as is your little house and pincushion. Such a feast for the eyes. I shall look out for the magazine. Much love to you, Linda x

flowers on my table said...

Hello again Helen, yes I think the tureen would be lovely to use on Christmas day, I am very pleased with it. Thanks for visiting, love Linda x

Patricia Reid said...

Time is running out for me to post about your 'London' blog, so here I am! Just adored your post and the memories of such a beautiful and exciting city. Loved the 'London House' and all things London. I re-visited your post back when the Olympics were being held so now my mind is racing with new ideas for the coming year!
Thank you for sharing your pictures of London as well ... cannot wait to get back ... maybe next year!
Hugs,
Patricia

claire said...

Love London and those buses are so iconic for me - went to school on the No 29!
Sound like we might have been at the fair on the same day? WHat a shame - would love to have said hello in person - look forward to seeing what you bought :)

lemonade kitty said...

I love those long thin hearts so much nicer than the round fat ones and such pretty red and white striped fabric, do you mind if I ask where the fabric is from please? Lucey

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

I'm back!

I wonder how many times that Kensington sign has been stolen...

:-) The black taxi looks so good against the red of the double decker bus.

x Lorraine x

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

You are AMAZING! I'm going to see if I can get that magazine....sometimes I can through Amazon. Congratulations! Fee's work is always so gorgeous too.