Wednesday 20 February 2013

Flower Notes

 For a few days over the past week it has really felt as if spring might be here........it was sunny and warm (out of the shade anyway)...........and everywhere there was the sight of trees budding and little dots of colour as early blossom unfolded and tiny spring flowers began to peep out..................
............there are lots of flowers in our house this week too....valentine's flowers, snowdrops picked from the garden, primroses and primulas too...........and some stitched flowers as well..........
...........this little applique picture is handstitched and on a theme i am especially fond of......little lollipop fabric flowers in pretty fabric pots, with added embroidery stitches and quirky buttons......
.............i love making these...........the *lollipop flowers picture* is a project that is now available complete with pattern and instructions and can be found in my new book here....................
 ..........here i have been making a bigger but similar design for a cushion panel..........
                                                  ..............finishing the sewing..............
.....................and deciding which little buttons to sew on..........the birds and flowers buttons here are from just another button company and the flowery covered button is a cath kidston one ........i will of course show you the cushion when it is completed ;)..........
 ............our first snowdrops of the season............there are many more in tiny bud form still......i used to draw and paint snowdrops every year, trying to find the best way to capture those perfect little pristine white shapes.......
 ..........sometimes i still do paint flowers but mainly now i love using my flowery fabrics to create a flowery crafty feel.......
 .............snippets from the bright and cheerful primulas in my favourite egg cup...............
................and a picture of these beautiful blooms from mr p.............they are not only varied and colourful but with a beautiful scent too...........sometimes i move flowers round the house so if i'm working in the studio - or the sewing room - all day i can enjoy them with me...........the pink lilies in this vase have now opened up and smell delicious...............it has turned grey and cold here again today, after a really sunny and gorgeous day yesterday, so i am glad of the flowers for a splash of colour.................

.....thank you to everyone who has sent me lovely messages about my new book, you are so kind to get in touch and let me know how much you like it...thank you :).................

....and thank you to everyone who visits my bit of blogland, friends old and new......wishing you a wonderful week....hope it has flowers, sunshine and lots of crafting in it ...........back soon xxxxxxx

58 comments:

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

What a lovely start to my day!! The little houses are so cute, and I am off to order your book!! Have a wonderful week!! xoxo

KC'sCourt! said...

Pretty pretty flowers.
I use to put flowers in an egg cup when I was a child mainly daisies from the grass!
Pretty Primulas. I love all flowers.
Julie xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

oohhhh i so love your picture it is so simple but so striking and so beautiful and pretty i may have to copy that for a project at home i love it. dee x

homemade@myplace said...

colourful flowers make me really happy....!!!!
your appliqué is gorgeous!!
xxxx Ale

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Beautiful flowers Helen and yes it does feel like spring is here. It's bright and sunny here today but very chilly, it is nice to see the sun though!
Your little flower pictures are so pretty. :)
V xxx

Christine said...

I can't wait to get your new book. It is so inspiring to see all of those beautiful picture. I love the vase your flowers are in.

Teje said...

Dear Helen, your flowers are just so sweet and adorable! Wonderful way to make lollypop flowers! I don't have much space for flower vases and also here it's not so common to have flowers inside, I guess everyone has them in the garden. I could have lollipop-flowers on my wall! Thos bird-buttons are most cute!
Sunshine to you! x Teje

Deborah said...

Lovely post to start my day! Your fabric selections are always an inspiration. I've recently fallen in love with buttons....both vintage and new!

tlcukjourney said...

Your work is brilliant! But I think you already know that! You inspire me.
Tammy x

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your boquet of flowers is so pretty! I think moving them around with you is a perfect idea!! Your lollipop flowers and pots are adorable! I am sure I will be adding your new book to my collection. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos with us!! Have a wonderful day Helen!

Ladybird Diaries said...

I love all your pretty flowers and adore your little appliqué picture, so beautiful.
M xxx

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I love snowdrops too. Such promise!
lovely pictues Helen..and how beautiful has this weather been!? what a treat. I for one can't wait for the Spring!
sending love
fee x

l.wilks11 said...

I love the way you put your post together and those photos are so bright and crisp....xx

Pink Milk said...

Your posts are always so wonderfully colourful Helen and this one is no exception. Your pop flower picture is gorgeous - are those lovely Lecien prints I can see?

As for the flowers from Mr P - they're stunning. He's a keeper to be sure! ;-)

Heather x

Simone said...

So many lovelies in this post Helen. I adore the fabric pictures in their clean spring colours. The flowers in an egg cup? A wonderful idea! Now I have a use for my unused egg cups!!!

vintage grey said...

Hi Sweet Helen!
It has been spring like where I am, too! I can't wait for it to come! I love your pretty and darling appliquéd flowers pots!! So perfect to welcome spring in!! Those little birdies are the cutest! Wishing you a lovely day! xo Heather

Siobhán said...

Your flowers are so pretty! Both the appliqued and fresh flowers, that is. ;) The pots are adorable--what a sweet cushion that will be!

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good evening Helen...Such a pretty post...I love your lollipop flowers picture and I'm now dreaming even more of those spring days ahead!...I've also been reading you new book and it's wonderful....congratulations Helen!
Hope you're having a wonderful week..I'll be back in blogland soon,
Susan x
P.S Paula will be so thrilled at winning your beautiful bunny!

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello, Helen! I enjoyed your post, the promise of Spring, the bits and pieces of it emerging.. my snowdrops are in full bloom.. I have many patches of them on my farm.. I have your other book.. need to get this one! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Vintage Tea Time said...

Love the lollipop flowers! That cushion's going to be fab. Yes, it was Spring-like here yesterday, which was most welcome, but today was cold and grey :( A lovely post - thanks! x

Vintage Tea Time said...

Love the lollipop flowers! That cushion's going to be fab. Yes, it was Spring-like here yesterday, which was most welcome, but today was cold and grey :( A lovely post - thanks! x

Rous said...

Oh Helen, the picture is so lovely and cute!!!!!!!1....
Besos from Spain.

Jane said...

Hi Helen, what lovely spring colours, the weather looks as though it is turning cold again over the next few days so make the most of it. Many congratulations on your new book.. I hope to see it on the best seller list ;0) Jane x

Ali said...

Your work is gorgeous!!! Well done Mr P played a blinder with the flowers xxx

sweetpea family said...

What a lovely post - you have just brought a little sunshine into a cold windy evening x

gilly said...

So much prettiness ! I always love your posts, they're so filled with gorgeous things. Roll on Spring... It's on its way!
:-)
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Xx

cristina said...

Helen! A lovely flowers!
And too a lovely post!
Kisses from Catalonia!

crazydazy said...

hi, love your stitched lollipop flowers and the real flowers so bright and colourful, ali

Belmont Yarns said...

Ah, it is spring in your house no matter what it's like outside!!

I love the flowers in the frame. I would love to achieve something like this in my life time but then I say that about all your projects. They are simply inspiring and good for the soul!

Helen xx

driftwood said...

oh such lovely flowers xxx

Erna said...

Once again a bright and sunny post, thanks for sharing Helen..
Hugs
Erna x

Jenn M said...

Lovely applique - it really puts me in the mood for Spring -even with the below zero temperatures we're having! I just ordered your newest book and am expecting it today: I can't wait!
JEnn

Mia said...

Those flowers in their colorful pots you've sewn are just so cheerful, Helen! They have SPRING written all over them, lovely! And your "real" flowers are so beautiful too, the colors made me think of March, April already... Those months are so welcome!

Happy day!

Yours,
Mia

YarnRoundHook said...

I do love snowdrops - we have a grand total of 3 flowering in our garden, but it is better than 0!
Your flower pot picture is just gorgeous. x

Crafted by Carly said...

I have to say that I love everything in this post!!! I'm especially taken with your lollipop flowers, though. How cute!!! :-)
Carly
x

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen, Oh, I always love your posts so much! They always brighten my day and cheer me! I love your pretty tulips and your beautiful appliqué picture! Your stitches are perfect and the fabrics you used are sweet and pretty! Love your little houses too! I am glad the pattern is in your new book. I could not find it on Amazon, so I am wondering if it is not available in the US yet. The buttons are darling and I look forward to seeing this project. I love all of the pretty blooms you shared and that lovely egg cup! I hope the sunny weather returns soon! Have a beautiful rest of the week! Much love, Paula xo

l.wilks11 said...

Such an uplifting post just what i need to brighten up my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my blog regarding my lovely dad......xx

sky-blu-pink said...

I just love those flowers pics-most inspiring!!!

My Little Home and Garden said...

Hello, Helen

The stitched flowers are such a treat for the eye. What a clever idea, creating and framing such springtime cheerfulness. I'm still embracing winter, which is easy to do when you've been snowshoeing on a sunny, crisp day!

I hope you're having a lovely week.

-Karen

Annie Cholewa said...

Ooh, lollipop flower love! Your projects are always so cheery Helen, and I'm sure the new book will sell fabulously :D

sew said...

Lovely flowers of all descriptions - and cute buttons too (I love the birds!).
I've made your little packages using copied pages of an old Ladybird 'Learnabout Crochet' book
and of an even older book entitled 'Complete Needlecraft' which states:'Many women take up knitting & crochet as a spare time occupation to pass the time in the winter evenings'. I wish I could send you the complete text - fascinating!

Anonymous said...

Lovely fresh crisp colours, and cheerful as always. I love your work in its white frame. Thank you. Pat x

Pomona said...

It's lovely to see your sunny pictures - it is still so cold and grey here, although we have a few brave snowdrops.

Pomona x

Anonymous said...

Ooo! This is so cute! Good job!

My husband just brought me home some primroses. They are always the welcome first flower of spring in my world! ♥

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, oh I do love your lollipop flowers, they are so jolly, and just the thing to banish the winter blues. Congratulations on your new book I shall keep my eye open for it.
Your finished Farmer's wife quilt is just gorgeous, I am sure you are delighted with it?
The primulas in the eggcup just makes me squeal with delight, it is gorgeous!
Thank you for visiting and leaving such lovely remarks. I thought it high time I showed my face on my blog, but I hate to see pictures of myself. I need to work on it though, as I want there to be one or two good photos for my daughter to have!
Much love to you, Linda x

claire said...

i love the lollipop flowers picture - putting that on 'the to do list' :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen
My mum is wanting to make a cushion for a baby girl that she saw advertised in the cross Stitcher magazine issue 201 May issue 2008. I know it was a long time ago but I was just wondering if this design would be in any of your books as I would love to buy it for her?
Thanks so much for sharing all your beautiful designs.
Take care
Tracy Stewart

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,

I love the lollipop flowers picture.
So So beautiful. Have a great weekend. LOL Nicole

koralee said...

Hi sweet friend...your new book looks amazing..congratulations ...I have someone who would soooo love it...off to see if I can order it on Amazon. I simply adore your little applique flower pots picture..way way too cute for words..you life is adorable!!! I would love to see your home.
Have a very creative weekend. xoxoxo

Maria Glazacheva said...

Oh c`est juste MAGNIFIQUE !!! J`adore !!
Les couleurs !! TOUS !

Bonne semaine!!

xxx Maria xxx

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Fabulous inspiration, Love the flowers, such a sign of creativity.

Gracie Saylor said...

Helen, I am so glad you decided to create a blog and that I found you, for I truly look forward to my visits with you! Viewing your designs and basking in the colors you use make me feel rich indeed :)

For many months since we have been commenting back and forth I somehow did not realize how you have shared your giftedness through so many vocational publications, until last week when I searched your books on Amazon. Oh, my...the choices :) I was initially immobilized, but while reading/rereading this post I launched an order for your latest book and look forward to following your directions to complete some creative projects!

Blessings to you and yours,
xx, Gracie

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Love your new fabric applique , Helen! It looks so sweet and really happy :0) And so beautiful flowers you've got there, glad you had a lovely weather with sunshine and first flowers as well. Here in Moscow we still have a lot of snow, but sun shine for us for last few days too :0)
Have a happy and sunny week
Lot of love
Natasha

Scented Sweetpeas said...

It is so lovely to have scented flowers in the house, I really miss that at this time of year :-( I grew freesias last year, oh my goodness the scent is nearly better than sweetpeas! Love your new applique, so pretty !

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

What a lovely post with such gorgeous flowers on this rainy and cold but cozy day here.
I'm so glad I didn't place my Amazon order yet so now I can order both Pretty Patchwork AND Simple Sewn Gifts. They both look so scrumptious with all your beautiful projects between the covers! I can't wait to receive them!

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Your blogposts always manage to lift my spirits: the colours, the flowers and your beautiful works of art. The applique painting you makes looks very pretty!

Like you a carry vases around the house too :-)!

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Primulas in an egg cup... Suddenly I also feel an urge to go thrift shopping for cute egg cups. You influence me a lot today Helen. Scrappy patchwork quilts with squares is by far my old time favorite. It will never let you down and with your cute fabric it will be as cute as a princess cake.
Annette
My Rose Valley

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful colours!