Wednesday 24 April 2013

Sowing Season

At last the spring we've been waiting for has arrived here and we can do some proper gardening again.....sowing, planting, watching the blossom open and the trees turn green............the cute little pins shown here were a gift from the easter bunny...........he knows i like crafty things as well as chocolate.............
 ............the pins have their own little pincushion which i made from a mix of flowery and veggie fabrics, some from a beatrix potter fabric line left over from a previous book project.......
 ............somehow once i saw the carrot pins it inspired me to make some fabric carrots too..........
                                         .............i like them as much as real carrots............
                                                     .............and so does ruby.................
 ................she is a very quiet and peaceful rabbit to have around the sewing room................
...............more sowing and planting was going on in the cutting patch this week, though first we had a day and night of sudden gale force winds which were very destructive to lots of trees and plants, though thankfully not here.............

                          ............ i brought these plants inside late at night to protect them......
 ...........i often keep flowering plants on a little table outside the back door in spring and summer...this is the first time they have ended up in the kitchen overnight......
 ..........they looked very happy to be out of the wild winds, and i have to admit that this time our kitchen really did look like a garden centre................................
..........i have had soooo many questions and emails about the ripple blanket i showed last time that i decided to answer everyone here :)...........first, the pattern is lovely lucy's from attic 24........her tutorial is so clear and easy to follow, it is a lot of people's favourite and now it's my favourite too :)...........secondly, the yarn i chose is all stylecraft special dk and the colours for the stripes are used in the following order: bluebell, cloud blue, citron, lemon, wisteria, clematis, shrimp, apricot, aspen, sherbet, magenta, clematis (used twice), pomegranate, fondant, candy floss...then repeat again ............you can buy the yarn online here............
 ............i was very lucky recently and won a treat in jane's giveaway....this sweet busy bee bag charm arrived and i love it............jane is a longtime blogging friend, and she also made me one of her special personalised cards, with patchwork hexagons forming the background....what a nice idea for a patchworker, thank you jane :).....you can find more of jane's lovely cards and beautiful jewellery in her etsy shop here..................
                           ..............jane's special card on my dresser, matching the daffodils :)..............
.............one last picture today............i bought this issue of prima spring makes because i loved the cover..........it is shown here with my latest granny squares.....(more of those another time).........and when i began reading the mag i discovered there was a nice review of my book, *pretty patchwork gifts* in it too ..........there are lots of lovely ideas in here...........don't you just love springtime crafting??...........thank you to everyone who has sent me an email this week.......i will be answering you very sooon :)..........and thank you to you all for dropping in and reading this, i love to see you......wishing you a wonderful week.................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooxxxxxxxx

49 comments:

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your little carrots are so cute and they look darling with Ruby! Spring flowers are always welcome!! Such pretty crochet granny squares too!! Lovely just lovely!!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Love, love, love the carrots and how cute does Ruby look holding them! I love the veggie fabric and pins too. :)
Your crochet is beautiful Helen.
Well done on winning Jane's lovely bag charm, I have a few of them myself!!
Enjoy the rest of the week,
V xxx

Kate said...

Your post is full of 'eye candy' - I love it!

20 North Ora said...

Oh I agree, I'd much rather get those darling pins than chocolate! They look so cute on your pincushion.

Judy

KC'sCourt! said...

I love those carrots! The pins are cute, as is Ruby in her green polka dot dress. She looks very quite and peaceful in contemplation.
Julie xxxxxxxx

Ali said...

Just gorgeous!!!

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Such a pretty, spring post!! Adore your cute carrots and pincushion!! And, your ripple blanket is beautiful!! I love the colors!! Wishing you a lovely week! xo Heather

Jane said...

What cute pins you were bought Helen and how sweet are those carrots you made. It's good to know that the growing season is finally on its way ;0) I am so pleased you liked the bee bag charm you won from my giveaway...let's hope we hear the sound of bees humming in our gardens really soon ;0)
Jane x

quilty stitches said...

Such a wonderful post...I am so waiting for our spring to arrive!! Your sweet photos of Ruby, carrots and the flowers brightened my day. Thank you for sharing your wonderful world! xxKim

busybusybeejay said...

Lovely Spring post.Stylecraft Special DK is cheaper from Afan Crafts in S Wales.£1.40 a ball.

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh my! Your post was a visual treat from start to finish! I love the bunny on the stool.. which gave me an idea.. I'm at the coast and I brought my bunny and I have a vintage stool in the trailer - I think a photo shoot in front of the Pacific ocean is in order today! Love all your things! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Helen, oh my such beauty in the form of flowers and pincushions and carrots. How lucky are those veggie pins to have a pincushion all to their self! Ruby looks even cuter if that is possible with the yummy carrots. The colors in the ripple are so grand and Lucy-like, very fun and sherbet ate able.
Enjoy your weather and gardening, soRobin

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, your post is full of sweet things! I love those carrots, pin cushion, carrot pins, bunny with green skirt, flowers and everything! I'm so inspired to make carrots, to put flowers in little pots and sew tiny patches!
Happy spring dear friend! x Teje
Ps. Congratulations for winning Jane's bag charm!

forgetmenotsblue said...

Very cute. I love the carrot! I love the fresh colours your using :)

thriftwood said...

Lovely, colourful post! Spring has yet to arrive here, very cold, my spring plants have had it , I'm afraid! Haven't seen the Prima magazine, but will look out for it now.

Enjoy your evening Helen

Love Claire xx

sweetpea family said...

I love your carrots - another project to add to my very long list. Your ripple blanket is coming on so well, someone else has mentioned the price of stylecraft in an earlier comment I get mine from
http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk
it costs £1.59 per ball and free p&p if you spend £25 and it comes the next day. I have no connections just found them by chance.
hope you have a good week
Sue x

gilly said...

Oh so much loveliness! Love those little pins, I have pin-envy now... going to have to look out for them!
Gorgeous ripple blankie too :-)
Have a happy week & enjoy the sun when it shines,
Xx

Scented Sweetpeas said...

wow I have missed so much! your ripple blanket is gorgeous, I just finished mine but started it way back in December ..... loved making it so much I need to start a new one :-) It looks like you have been very busy indeen - take care xxx

Gracie Saylor said...

Helen, PPG is resting here beside me with a marker on a bunny page so that I can go to the printer and enlarge the pattern and begin some bunny production work-play :) Thanks for another pretty post to cheer me on!
xx,
Gracie

Vintage Tea Time said...

Ruby looks very pleased with her carrots! The Prima mag looks good - I shall buy that tomorrow. X

Pink Milk said...

Isn't it wonderful to feel the sun on your skin again? I just love this time of year.

Your ripple is looking beautiful Helen - I think you may have just tempted me to start another! ;-)

Hope you're having a super week.

Heather x

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen, I am so glad spring has arrived and you are able to do some gardening! The little pins are darling and so is the pincushion and carrots! You always make the sweetest things! Ruby is adorable and the carrots are perfect for her! Your flowers and photos are gorgeous! Your ripple blanket is so cheerful and the bag charm you won is adorable. It is always delightful to visit you! Have a wonderful week! Lots of love, Paula xo

sky-blu-pink said...

What a jolly pst! Such gorgeous colours!

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

Your pansies look amazing! Spring flowers are such gifts to eyes needing color. I will be buying mine in short order.

:-) It's here at last!

Lorraine xx

Vicki said...

Ruby is one lucky bunny! What a privilege to sit in your creative space. Those pins are a hoot!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Those carrots are adorable!!! Happy Spring! xoxo

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen :0)
Lovely pictures of Ruby, she is so cute with your fabric carrots :0) Love your pins & pincushion (both look sweet). Glad you manage to save your beautiful flowers :0) Such a happy flowery faces at your kitchen.
Happy Spring to you
love
Natasha

Things and Thoughts said...

Î¥our creations are fantastic, the fabric carrots, the rabbits...Your interiors look so delightful, so cheerful Helen! I'm really impressed.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

You've brightened my morning with you lovely photos....it's a bit grey and cold here today...thank you! :) x

Unknown said...

Hi There, The weather is really strange all over the world, isn't it. I am about to post a post on a strange weather day we just had!! Love your happy spring blooms!!!
Love
AMarie

Unknown said...

That settles it, I'm going to get the materials together to start my very own bunny - your cute n clever carrots have done it! I think your home is in a constant state of Springtime, regardless of the wet and blustery weather outside! Chrissie x

Crafted by Carly said...

What a happy, springtime post! So much sunshine on your blog - even if the REAL sunshine doesn't want to come out to play today! :-)
Carly
x

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

All your creations are absolutely gorgeous and very creative indeed. Love them all. Hugs Judy

Kay said...

As ever, your post is filled with pretty inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen,
I just love your bunny and carrots, I always enjoy my visit with you. I brought your book and I can't wait to sit down and read it. Is the carrot pattern in one of your books?
XXOO
Elizabeth

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good evening Helen,
How sweet Ruby looks sitting on the stool with your carrots...so pretty...how lovely to have her to keep you company in your sewing room! I love all your spring flowers too...they look gorgeous in your kitchen....they all need a little more sunshine, don't they? It's been so cold here today. Congratulations too on winning Jane's lovely busy bee bag charm (the card is beautiful too!)
Happy Thursday,
Susan x

Unknown said...

Helen what wonderful images you take, they fill me with hope for the future. I love your work and am studying your wonderful book on a daily basis. Thank you for always being upbeat and positive, it rubs off.
Lots of love
Dorothy :) xx

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen..you spring vege gardening theme is just delightful..love the carrots and your new pins and even the look of those sweet peas having a rest on your counter!

Mina said...

I´ve just got here and I adore all your things, so colorful, full of love and also so pretty! I´ll be back soon again,
xoxo
Mina

Madelief said...

What a lovely kitchen you have Helen, with all those brightly coloured spring flowers! Lucy looks enchanting!

Hope the weather will be good this weekend for gardening!

Madelief x

Cindy said...

Love your ripple blanket. I used that pattern to make one in brights, but I like the softer colors you chose too. Maybe another one is needed...?

koralee said...

Everytime I come over here you have such darling photos and creations to share...you really do inspire me my friend. I LOVE your bunny and those carrots. Hope you are very well...sending you some Springtime joy.xo

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, I just love your fabric carrots, they are really cute, and I am sure Ruby is delighted with them.
Keep up the good work! I know what you mean about the poor plants getting blown about, it's the same here. Have a wonderful week, love Linda x

Unknown said...

Lovely bright and Spring inspired post.....Thank you Helen. Spring is just beginning in my part of North America. Congratulations again on winning Jane's handbag charm.

Happy almost May,
Anne and family
PlumCreek22 Studio

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

Oh, I've missed stopping by as Spring hit here and I had a house guest too. What lovely Spring pins and cute little pincushion and then the carrots...I'm beginning to see inspiration everywhere I look, like you. The difference is, you follow through on it! LOL!
Thank you for the colorway of your Granny Stripe. I made one and gave it to my little Grandson so he had a blanket to cuddle up with on the couch. I need to make another as they are so fun to do! I'm still working on the Blackberry Salad pattern with the bobble stitch....have you seen that one? Also fun and lots of colors.
I do love your friends jewelry and card...I may have to toddle over to her shop.
Did Ruby get a new dress for Spring? I love the green...it's a good color on her!
Your granny squares are so pretty. I think you should make up kits and sell them on your blog as your color choices are so exquisite. I noticed your flowers are more vibrant there too and you have lots more varieties than we do here....where I live anyway. The only way to get really neat flowers and varieties and colors is to start them from seed yourself and I will once I get to where I'm going. I used to order from Thompsons years ago...aren't they in the U.K.? I also order from Deramores because they have different colors that I can't seem to find here without going to a dozen different websites. I'm thinking I may just have to move there! LOL!
So good to be back online and visiting with my blogging friends and seeing what you're up to as you are ALWAYS up to something and it's usually things I adore!
Take care!

Crafty in the Med said...

Its so good to sit down with a nice cuppa tea ,relax and enjoy your post. I go through it stage by stage looking at the photos first of all because they are all filled with such loveliness and bright bright delicious colour.
The tulips are gorgeous and make me envious I don't have a garden. Ther e is nothing better or more authentic than nature's own colours, is there?
I see for a newbie to crochet you are doing very well and that cushion with the mini granny squares is lovely. The pastel colours are delightful. Lucky you as well receiving such original gifts. I'm going to pop in and visit that blog when I finish posting these comments.

As always the fabric you use is perfect and I would say suits you and what you make to a T.

keep well

Amanda :-)

Hayley said...

such a pretty notebook x

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

I used the Secret Garden paper for Mother's Day. Love it. New Follower!

Take Care,
Jody

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