Wednesday 9 January 2013

Winter Flowers

One of the things i love about my job is that i use brightly coloured fabrics, threads, paint and papers in the designs that i produce......and the magazines and books i work on are also colourful and pretty......so the combination of these things keeps me cheerful in my brightly lit studio throughout the winter days no matter how dull and grey they may be outside.......
 ..........this patchwork bag is one of my projects in this months crafts beautiful magazine (the 250th issue!)....i used some of my favourite fabrics from pam kitty morning and sew mama sew (find them here)....and i used waste canvas to cross stitch a pretty posy of flowers on a white patch to add extra texture and interest.......
............i like the combination of coloured backgrounds, white fabrics and printed text and will be exploring this look further...maybe a quilt?...........also featured in this special anniversary edition is an extract from my book Simple Sewn Gifts.....yes, one of my bunnies is in crafts beautiful :).........and i will have some more bunny news for you coming up very soon..............

 ...............today was sunny here with a frost that remained on the grass all day long...........in my spare moments i have been making many more daisy granny squares for the new blanket...........i love the sweet yarn colours in the sunshine on my craft table...............
.......................and i have also been piecing together some new blocks for the next quilt..............
 ............flowery fabrics mixed with a few checks, and sometimes an applique flower is the plan.....i will show you more of this soon in a special quilt post when i also hope to show the finished farmer's wife quilt......i've made the binding so just have to sew it on now :)...............very exciting to be so close to a special quilt finish..................
................some real flowers are gracing my sewing room too...........love these pretty pink and white tulips............the blue hyacinths are almost over now but some white ones are just about to bloom so i still have some scent.....
.........now i am off to hook up a few more daisies.........and sew on a bit of binding.........i have lots of lovely crafty things to keep me busy through the winter days...........i am working on a giveaway too especially for my lovely readers and hope to have it finished in the next week or two so look out for that :).............thank you so much for dropping in to see me and for your kind comments and emails.........i love to hear from you........wishing you all a happy and crafty winter week .........back soon xxxxxoooooxxxxxx

48 comments:

Crafts @ Home said...

What beautiful crafts in gorgeous colours, I can't wait to see some of your quilts finished :) Have a good week,
Sue Xxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lots of cheery colours, Helen!!! :)
I love your little bunny and look forward to hearing more bunny news as I do to seeing your finished quilt.
Crochet is beautiful too!
Vivienne xxx

My Little Home and Garden said...

Hello, Helen

With all of those lovely colours and projects, you've brought the sun out here.

The bunny is certainly well-dressed and absolutely charming.

Have a wonderful week!

-Karen

Anonymous said...

You have the most beautiful colors in your fabrics and yarn, indeed! I know they keep you very happy in these dreary January days. Oh I want a bunny so badly, I don't know if we can get that magazine here in the US but I'm going to look into it. I wish it came in a kit with the beautiful fabrics like you use, but I'll look into that on the link you gave too. Thanks for sharing all the lovelies (love tulips!) and keeping our January happy, too! Hugs ~ Mary

Susan said...

A feast for the eyes! Your bunny is so cute and the jug with the tulips is so beautiful.

busybusybeejay said...

What a lovely bright cheerful post.Just what I need today.

birdie blue said...

it's always so beautiful over here, helen. love your cheery, colorful patchwork bag and your tulips are completely gorgeous!

hope it's sunny in your corner of the world today, my friend.
xo
molly

Vintage Tea Time said...

A lovely, bright, fresh post! Thank you! Your pics all look as if they were taken in mid-summer! Beautiful.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

I think you must have the best ever job! Do you need a very willing assistant?!!! :) x

Simone de Klerk said...

Your posts always brighten me up!

Shirley said...

Hi Helen, I followed your blog the other day, I have to say I am loving the bag, and the colours. I was given your book for my birthday last year, and I love it, that isn't why I followed your blog though don't take this the wrong way but until you mentioned it I didn't make the connection, looking forward to seeing you projects as the year goes on.

cristina said...

Gorgeous! Lovely... lovely....

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good evening Helen..Such a lovely cheerful post that has brightened up a very dark day here..I'm so looking forward to Spring at the moment!...I love your pretty patchwork bag and am really looking forward to seeing your finished quilt...it will be such a treasure...Your sewing room looks lovely with those pretty tulips too and I always love your bunnies!
Susan x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen! Looks like you are able to beat dreary and boring January with your cheerful and pretty projects! Thanks for sharing! xoxo

Deborah said...

I am very drawn to similar bright colors which is one of the many reasons I enjoy your blog. Lovely projects!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Your posts always make me feel happy... I think I need to decorate like you do! Everything looks wonderful.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Sweet Helen, So many amazing projects being made in your studio. Colors, fabrics, texture, buttons, yo-yos and bunnies I can't stand the all this goodness. I need to be around you for motivation!! But your blogs is wonderful for that!!! Have lots of fun working on all your creations.
xoRobin❤

Cindy said...

I love the colors you chose for the little bag.Can't wait to see your finished quilts.

Annie Cholewa said...

Everything in your studio looks so clean and bright Helen, and all so cheery. And you are so wonderfully productive! Happy stitching :D

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello my friend! Visiting your blog is like a visit to a spring filled meadow.. all year long! Thanks for bringing those candy colors to us.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Lori ann said...

So so beautiful. I just love that bag Helen, it would make a perfect project bag for crafts (knitting!) and the daisy squares! Would it be too difficult for a non crocheter to attempt? I love them, daisies are so cheerful! Thank you for all the beauty you share with the world, everything you touch is lovelier because of you.

vintage grey said...

Such a beautiful patchwork bag!! Love all the gorgeous prints! Your daisies are so sweet, and your new blocks are so sweet!! Wishing you a lovely week Helen!! xo Heather

Lynne said...

That little patchwork bag caught my eye right away. Everything looks just beautiful!
Your blog is always a nice source of color and inspiration!
I have been trying to find some tulips for a week now and I finally had to settle for some roses. Love yours in the little jug.

homemade@myplace said...

Love all this positive vibe!!!
I really like your crochet daisies!!!
have fun, xxx Ale

KC'sCourt! said...

You use such a lovely colour pallette makes mine look dull and boring!
Julie xxxxxxxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, you have always spring and summer in your blog! Thank you for a beautiful beginning to my day! x Teje

Erna said...

What a lovely and bright colours...the sun is shining here in Amsterdam ...such a wonderful combination...
Hugs
Erna

silverpebble said...

Happy happy new Year to you Helen. How lovely to see your new projects - they're so uplifting and cheery.

I was wondering, would you still like me to make something for you with those beautiful glass beads? Sorry to have left it so long. x

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, yes it's true, it always seem to be so much sunnier over here than anywhere else, it must be the fabric, or the yarn, or is it the bunnies? Whatever it is, it works and it's uplifting. Love all your new projects and just cannot wait to see the Farmer's Quilt finished! Love Linda x

Siobhán said...

You always do such lovely projects, Helen! Your bunny is adorable, and I love the bag! I can't wait to see more of your quilt blocks, and I am eagerly awaiting seeing your FWQ in all its glory. In the meantime, I shall be covering my computer keyboard with plastic wrap so I don't short it out with drool when you show the pics. ;)

Crafted by Carly said...

Wow! You HAVE been busy - and putting all your amazing skills to fantastic use!
I love the colours in that bag! So bright and cheery! Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt (I can tell it's going to be amazing).....
Carly
x

claire said...

Wow - what a lot your working on! You definitely have Spring in your step :)

Unknown said...

Another beautiful post full of such pretty colour. Love your little bag and your mouse and im not suprised that both are featured in the magazine. Your crochet flowers are so pretty and i love the pastel shades you are using. Happy sewing and crocheting, dee x

Anonymous said...

How lovely my dear, your work is magic :)
Bless
Rain

Frances said...

Helen, your lovely colors have truly lightened up a very grey day in New York City.

Congrats on the new publication...you are surely encouraging many folks to try some lovely projects.

xo

Annerose said...

Ach hast du einen schönen Blog, so tolle Sachen und wunderschöne Stoffe und Farben.Ich bin begeistert.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

PamKittyMorning said...

Oh my so cute! I so honored that you're using pkm in your projects!

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Beautiful patchwork bag Helen and I am loving your little flowery grannies
Xx

Handmade and off-centered said...

I love the craft bag! Its so cheery and I was just thinking yesterday that I need a few of these to organize my ongoing project. I tend to have more than one going on at once.

Great pictures...

Best wishes,
Birgitta, Iceland

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen! Your patchwork bag is gorgeous! I love the happy, cheerful fabrics you used! You always have such a great eye! Your photos are gorgeous too, and always brighten my day with the loveliness you share! I will look for that magazine. Congratulations on having two projects featured! Yay! Your bunny is so sweet and I look forward to making one from your lovely book. Your granny squares and quilt blocks are beautiful! Love the colors and designs! Your tulips are so pretty and I love the pink dotty bowl with the sweet yarn in it! You always inspire! I look forward to all you will share sweet friend! Much love and happy weekend wishes, Paula xoxo

Tammy said...

It's like a breath of fresh air coming over here to visit. All of your projects are always so pretty and colorful. You crochet as if you have been doing it forever. Lovely work as always. Best wishes for a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

I think a job like yours is everyone's dream :-) To be surrounded by all those colourful materials all day. I would love it! :-)

Wishing you a happy weekend!

Madelief x

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

What lovely cheery colours you used, Helen. Beautiful! Nicolexxx

Naturally Carol said...

It's good to have plenty to keep you busy and happy during the winter months, Helen. It is very hot here. I made a few pompoms the other day but that is all of my woolly work at the moment!

Jane said...

Wow 250 editions, that is quite an achievement for a magazine Helen. How lucky they are to have your wonderful bunny in there, he is just so sweet. Your fabrics are so colourful, we all need this cheerfulness in the throes of winter. Keep warm, there is snow on the way. Happy Saturday,
Jane x

koralee said...

Oh how I so love your patchwork bag...so fun and jolly!
I have seen tulips in the stores but have not brought any home yet...and why not??? Not sure... I must get some to brighten my home.
Your projects are always so lovely...sending you oodles of warm hugs for a happy cozy weekend. xoxo

gillyflower said...

How did I miss this post??? Just love that patchwork bag, so cheerful to look at on a dull cold day!
Everything here reminds me of Spring, its all so pretty and bright, and I love the blocks and crochet projects.
Wishing you a great week Helen - keep warm!
Gill xx

YarnRoundHook said...

Fabulous crafts - the bright colours are a tonic on a grey day, aren't they. Lovely tulips too. x