Wednesday 23 January 2013

New Quilt and Some Snow

I am happy to be here in my cheery little blog space to show you my newly finished farmer's wife quilt..........(today I have had a few technological problems with my blog and my emails, and other computery stuff -  my new computer is not my friend just now but i hope it will become my bff soon :).................
 ..........those of you who read my blog regularly will know that i finished the fw quilt top a little while ago and have been hand quilting it over the last few weeks, and very cosy it has been too.......
 .....i finished quilting round each shape in each block, and then i used a leaf and vine stencil to draw a simple quilting pattern in the plain pink border..............the binding is red and white and dotty.....
..........i remembered the challenge i had of photographing the unquilted quilt top so knew that pegging the finished quilt up on the wall for a photoshoot was the best idea ..............we put a piece of wire aong the picture rail to peg it to.........
 ..........i do like quilts on the wall, maybe i should make one specially to have hanging up..........
 ................and now the farmer's wife quilt has been taken down and snuggled under...........
 .........i loved making this quilt and now we will all love using it, especially with all the chilly snowy weather we are having here at the moment............
                         ...........a little close up of the dotty backing, border and binding...................
.............the fabric colours are so cheerful, they make me think of summer flower gardens ...............
 ...................colourful quilts (strawberry hearts quilt and farmer's wife quilt) piled on a chair are a nice way to bring some colour into these monochromatic days...............
 ....and so is the bright new cosy daisy cushion now completed...........i am still making daisy grannies for a blanket, but these were my first try and i do like the effect.................
.............and here is my studio view after last friday's snowfall..............very pretty.........i was working on some illustrations.......no need for me to take a snow day from work :)......the school was closed and the children all played out in the snow.........my grandson charlie and his little friend george built a sweet snowdog, helped by daisy...........
..........some pictures of my cutting garden and beehive composter under snow.....and the potting shed too.........we don't have snow here very often, so it's quite a novelty when we do...........i like to look at it but not to travel in it and feel sorry for people who have to..............thank you for visiting my little blog space today, it's lovely to see you and i do love to hear from you..........there will be a giveaway as a thank you to my lovely readers taking place here very soon .............if you have snow and ice where you are take care and keep cosy!...........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

70 comments:

mandy said...

I've been following your blog for a wee while now and have been looking forward to see your finished quilt....it's beautiful, so much hard work. I'm new to sewing and would love to have a go at one of these but think I need a bit more practice first.

The warm fireplace said...

a beautiful quilt, the colours are so cheery.
sue

Jane said...

Your quilt is just delightful Helen and must be lovely to snuggle under in this bitter snowy weather. Keep snug, Jane x

GrannyTaughtMeToCrochet said...

Wow wow and wow again!!!! How did you find the patients to do that by hand?
I have a quilt on the wall. Gifted by my mums cousin at our wedding.
It was so nice to see a post with some colour in it!!! Everything has been very white this week!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, your quilt is the most beautiful quilt I have seen for a long time! It is like a wonderful painting and I would enjoy so much watching it on the wall! I like how you have put the blocks diagonal, turquoise colour around is perfect choice as well as the pink and red binding!
I love your lovely winter photos, too!
xxx Teje
Ps. may i pin your quilt?

Leanne said...

Hello from a hot and sunny Australia, your snow pictures are beautiful. they make me feel nice and cool. Your farmers wife quilt is just stunning.

Belmont Yarns said...

Oh my word, my jaw nearly hit the floor! That is stunning!! Just so beautiful. So intricate. Such detail. The colours are really beautiful and so you. I'm in love with it. You are so extremely clever. I'm putting this on my to do list for some day in the very distant future. Swoon, swoon, swoon.

Helen xx

Vintage Tea Time said...

That quilt is delicious! I imagine it is lovely to snuggle under,though it ;ooks just fab hanging on the wall! You take care and keep cosy too!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

To say that your quilt is amazing Helen is really an understatement, there are not enough words to describe it. It is so beautiful and all that hand stitching is fantastic.
The snow here is almost all gone, I thought we were going to escape it, but no, thankfully the temperature is going up a bit by the weekend, in the meantime keep warm under your quilt.
Love the crochet cushion too! :)
Vivienne x

Ladybird Diaries said...

Beautiful pictures as always. I just love the daisy granny cushion, it is gorgeous.
M xxx

Thedarkerside73 said...

That is one beautiful quilt Helen. So many lovely colours, it certainly lifts these white and grey days. As does your pretty cushion.

I have to admit the snow novelty has worn off now. Can we have ice free paths now? lol.

Stay warm take care.


P x

gilly said...

Love, love, love! Truly a work of art, and just perfect to brighten up these dull days.
Have a happy rest of the week ,
Xx

Lise-Lotte said...

I have a few of the same fabrics and I have been trying to think of how to used them with other ones, this has given me some inspiring ideas...
Thank you--it's raining here on the Westcoast of Canada and very grey - so working with fun, happy colours is fantastic
Lise-Lotte partygreen(dot)ca

Petunia Pill said...

So, so very pretty!

crazydazy said...

beautiful quilt...Im in awe at the thought of hand quilting something like that, ali

Susan Freeman said...

Oh Helen ~ your latest quilt is wonderfully cozy and cheery!! Love it. I have a new Mac and am getting used to it as well. In many ways it is faster and more efficient than my old one, but I was so used to the old one. I am sure you know what I mean. Thanks for always inspiring me!!!

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

20 North Ora said...

Helen - Your quilt is absolutely fantastic! I love all of the bright, cheerful colors.

Judy

cristina said...

Lovely cushion, Helen!
Kisses from Catalonia!

Cindy said...

Your quilt turned out just beautifully! It does look very nice hanging up behind you sewing machine.
Your snow looks pretty. We don't have any, just cold. We had a high of 23F today. Since I'm sick, I got to stay inside:)

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Helen, what a beauty!
Just so cheering and such a good idea to do the quilting in winter.
How could those colors help but bring a smile?
xx
julie

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello my friend, Helen.. that quilt is quite simply an award winner! The colors and designs are eye candy! And that daisy pillow.. divine and so Spring-like.. the perfect antidote to winter! Thanks for sharing!!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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

Oh my goodness! It's gorgeous!!!!!
I'm so inspired that you hand quilted it as I love handwork and machine quilting is so expensive.
Your snow is lovely too although I know you had nothing to do with that. LOL! It your color choices that just floor me though. I wish I could learn that but I think that might take years and an innate sense...you are amazing and I thank you for sharing it all. I hope you don't mind if I copy some of your color combos as I could not come up with them on my own. If you were closer I'd ask you to go fabric shopping with me! LOL! If I do something REALLY nice from your tutorship I will certainly share it with you. I'm always happier after I visit your blog!

homemade@myplace said...

love It!!!! and the little cushion, too!!! ;oD
xxx Ale

Sherri said...

Your Farmers Wife quilt is so beautiful!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Helen its sooooo pretty, and to hand quilt it too, you really are a marvel! :) x

Kirsten said...

Wow, that quilt is beautiful! I wish I could quilt but at the moment I'm just having a blast looking at the ones others make :) Keep up the good work!

Love, Kirsten

Shirley said...

Congrats on your latest finish, the quilt is so pretty it would brighten up any room.

Howards House said...

What a beautiful quilt…and hand quilted…wow! I hope you're very proud of yourself.

Erna said...

Goodmorning Helen, I just love the colours you used for this quilt, so bright and sunny..And the daisy cushion is so matching...
Hugs from a sunny and white Amsterdam
Erna x

Crafted by Carly said...

Well, what can I say??? The quilt is absolutely AMAZING, Helen! What a labor of love that must have been. Well worthit to get results like THAT, though!!! Well done you!!!
Carly
x

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Helen that's totally beautiful! I completely envy your sewing/quilting talent. My aim is to become better acquainted with it this year! It's been lovely to catch up with your posts. I have been away from blog land for quite a while. Your posts never fail to put a bright sunny smile on my face, much needed too on a grey wintry day!

I hope that you have the most super 2013!

Vanessa xxx

DianeM said...

Ooooo...I love the FW quilt (actually I love ALL your projects...teehee). The hand quilting is so nice on it.
Smiles, DianeM

Siobhán said...

Oh my goodness, Helen, your quilt is FABULOUS!! And what a timely finish--you can hunker down under it with all that cold and snow! I was in the grocery store this morning and one of the papers had a headline article about how cold it is over in the UK. Stay warm! Lovely cushion, too!

KC'sCourt! said...

One gorgeous quilt. You have just inspired me to get my fabric our and make a quilt!
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Gill said...

Fabulous quilt! Such beautiful colours!

Simone said...

Very pretty and intricate quilt and cosy cushion too! It is lovely to see all the glorious colour on your blog. As you say, the weather has been rather monochromatic of late! Have a lovely weekend Helen. x

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I really love your finished quilt and the hand quilting is beautifully done and your cushion is so pretty and colorful. A little snow is a perfect way for children to have lots of fun!!

sew said...

Oh Helen! Congratulations on another masterpiece -
so very beautiful!
We've plenty of snow here :(
- not the best time to start a knitting group which I've just done!!My little granddaughter has chickenpox too but nobody could be uncheered with a lovely post like this.

Rhona said...

What a beautiful quilt! You always pick the most gorgeous colour combinations! Stay warm!

ALISON said...

Sew pretty.....ciao Alison

emma said...

Such a stunning quilt - I really love your fabric choices too. You are a real inspiration!

Plain Jane said...

What cheery colours - we need all the brightness we can get at this time of year x

Ali said...

Beautiful x

Henry's Shed said...

Wow! I read this post last night and fell totally in love with your quilt! I wanted to comment but couldn;t find good enough words, still can't really so will have to just say Wow! It is beautiful! I have been admiring the blocks as you have been posting them, but my goodness, the quilt as a whole is just yummy!! Lovely, lovely, lovely xx

chiara said...

Hallo, I don't want to be shy and here I am with a comment. A blogger friend of mine passed me your link and I find your blog gorgeous. I use more neutral colours, but in the latest period I feel I want more colour and your cheerful style is sooo nice. You have great taste and skills, this quilt shows them and I think I'm going to visit lots of pages from your blog.
Many many congrats!
Chiara from Italy

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen! I hope things get better with your new computer! You can do it sweetie! Wow! your farmer's quilt is gorgeous!!! Your work is amazing! I love all of the pretty fabrics and bright colors you used. It must have been a joy to hand quilt this, though I know it was a lot of work too! It looks perfect hanging on the wall with your sweet pink table and sewing machine. I am so glad it is keeping you warm and cozy. The dots are very sweet! Love the crocheted cushion too! Your studio view is lovely my friend. The snow is so pretty! Keep warm and cozy! Much love, Paula xoxo

julie said...

Oh my goodness, it's wonderful and to someone like me who definitely doesn't have a stitchy bone in her body, it's enormously impressive! It's nice to see something so summery looking, though your garden does look pretty in the snow.

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Your quilt is stunning!! I adore all the gorgeous colors, with the pink border, and the polka dots!! Simply sweet and cheerful!! The cosy daisy cushion is so adorable, and I can't wait to see how pretty the blanket will be! Hope you have a lovely week! xo Heather

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Sweet sweet Helen, I'm in love......with your quilt! It is a masterpiece!!! The colors, indeed, are like a flower garden and definitely a breath of springtime. Enjoy your cosy moments!
Snow and cold weather, it looks so pretty, but it was
-15 degrees here this morning. Brrrrrrr I wish I had your quilt : )
xoRobin❤

Pink Milk said...

Helen, your quilt is breathtaking! The colours are a total joy. Does it make your heart skip a beat when you gaze at it? I can't begin to imagine how proud you must be. Beautiful.

Heather x

mags said...

I've been looking forward to your quilt since seeing the first block and it was worth the wait .... gorgeous! You inspired me to make my own (and I made it as a wall hanging!). Also love the cushion. On another note a really nice sampler in Cross-stitcher this month ... its going in my project file x

koralee said...

Oh I don't like it one little bit when my computer decides to turn it's back on me! Hope you are friends now.
Your quilt is so stunning...I would so want it to grace my wall...but I can see where you would want to snuggle with it too.
Hugs and love to you...stay cozy and thank you soooooooooo much for all your sweet sweet comments about my book. xoxo

Deborah said...

Your Farmer's Wife quilt is perfectly beautiful! And then you made it perfectly perfect by adding the dotted backing and binding!

Gracie Saylor said...

You have created more wonderful treasures, Helen! I admire them and your pretty snow that I can imagine Charlie playing in with delight :) Wishing you a productive relationship with your new computer...
xx,
Gracie

Tammy said...

It's so beautiful, Helen. I don't sew well at all and can't imaging hand quilting anything. Wow! Lots of work involved for sure. I do like it hanging on the wall. Certainly is a bright spot there when everything is white outside. The pillow is lovely, too. Always nice to see what you are creating. Wishing you a fabulous Friday! Tammy

Unknown said...

Oh Helen, i adore your quilt its really beautiful i love your fabrics and colours and i love the spotty binding and back cover to. Im also loving your crochet cushion i will have to make some more. Have a lovely weekend, dee xx

Scarlet-Sometimes said...

that is sooooo gorgeous, I love it!!!!! such a clever lady

claire said...

Beautiful quilt Helen - I would climb under that and not move all weekend!

YarnRoundHook said...

Your quilt is absolutely beautiful! x

Lori ann said...

oh my goodness helen, i thought i'd commented already, but truth be told i think i lost my voice upon seeing this quilt. it's just stunning! gorgeous! the most cheerful sweet quilt i've ever seen.as always it is a complete joy to visit with you here.

jan said...

Can't help but smile when I look at your quilt! So beautiful! And I love the daisy crochet pillow!
Beautiful job!

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Your quilt looks amazing! I agree with you, it does look lovely against the wall. It must have cost you hours to make it look this beautiful. I love your daisy granny squares too. You are a really talented crafter!!!

Have a lovely weekend,

Madelief x

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen, the Quilt looks amazing. What a wonderful sewing work. Have a great week. Nicolexxx

Helen said...

I just found your blog wow it is so bright and bubble I love it and all your work. Helen :-))))))))

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good morning Helen!...Ooh, I have so been looking forward to seeing your finished Farmer's Wife quilt and it's everything I expected it would be ... it's absolutely beautiful...a real treasure!...I love everything about it and the backing fabric, border and binding are a perfect addition too!...Your crochet cushion is so pretty and your garden looks magical from your sewing room window,
Happy Sunday!
Susan x

Annie Cholewa said...

Wow! That is a truly spectacular quilt Helen, colourful, yet crisp and fresh, so very much your style.

I am imagining you cosied up under it right now, stitching something or other, while the cold wind blows about your house :)

gillyflower said...

Oh wow Helen, the finished quilt is heavenly!
Such pretty fabrics and colours, and i love the cheery binding and backing fabric - so so pretty!
Well done Helen and thanks for sharing these lovely inspiring photos - now I want to go start one!
Gill xx

Lynne said...

Oh my! How did I miss this quilt post? It's so pretty, not to mention each one of those blocks is quite a bit of work.
The cushion is lovely. I wish I could crochet/sew faster. There are always so many pretty things to make here : )

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

I have admired your quilts many times earlier but this is my absolute favorite of them all, those colors and everything... Just perfect!

I wish your weekend is sunny and beautiful, and no more snow :)

Yours,
Mia

Unknown said...

I love your blog! I am also called Helen. My blog is http://creativegran.blogspot.com . Have a look and see what I have been doing. I am always busy! Keep up the good work. Love, Helen