It is still hot and amazingly summery here.....it doesn't feel like the uk most of the time......though we did have a rain shower yesterday which felt more usual, but then it became hot and sunny again......we live on the coast so are lucky to have some sea breezes to stop it being too humid......this week i gave the old rocking chair a fresh coat of white paint........
...........i was tidying up when i found the almost full tin of farrow and ball paint in *all white* so decided to use it and spruce up this chair......and then i finished off sewing the flower pots cushion too so here they both are..........
..........i showed the applique flower pots on my blog when i began them a while ago so i am pleased that this is another wip finished :).................
............the design was inspired by my lollipop flowers picture from my book
here...........
..........adding the lovely striped cotton fabric borders makes the cushion seem very summery i think....i sewed on a tiny bluebird button near the top too......from just another button company... the back is my favourite envelope style in a red and white polka dot.................
........there are lots of flower pots filled with plants here at the moment, like this pretty busy lizzie............below are the petunias i planted weeks ago, flowering happily near the back door.....
............last weekend we visited some good friends of ours and spent some very happy time in their beautiful garden............the agapanthus pot below is huge and i remember my friend telling me, a few years ago, how she planned to plant a really big pot with lots of agapanthus, and there it is now looking amazing (i noted down the idea in my garden notebook too)........
............we ate outside under a vine-shaded pergola......delicious and summery food..............
............and i took lots of pictures of their wonderful kitchen garden filled with produce and looking gorgeous.........i love seeing fruit and vegetables growing and wandering around other peoples' gardens is one of my favourite things :).............
.........this week the little chickpeas.....that is my two grandchildren charlie and daisy.......have finished school and pre school for the summer....i will be looking after them for two afternoons a week which i am looking forward to.........yesterday was the first one and they played in the paddling pool, and later we made some puppets......they made up lots of their own games too and are so sweet and funny.........now it's back to my design work and this week it is.......christmas again :0.............thank you for popping in to see me even though this is such a busy time of year with so many distractions...........it's always lovely to see you and i love your sweet comments too.......wishing you all a happy summery week with lots of flowers, fruits and sunshine to enjoy.........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The flower pot pillow is so cute. I just love it.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and love this post! The flower pots are amazing - both in pillow form and framed. Happy summer to you!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric pots - Summer is here!
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxx
Your little flowerpot cushion looks so sweet on your newly spruced up chair!
ReplyDeleteEating outside is lovely and it is lovely to look around other gardens! I think the petunias have done so well this because it as been so dry, they are a flower that like myself doesn't like rain.
Wishing you sunny days to play with your grandchildren Helen,
V xxx
The cushion looks perfect on your newly painted chair....in tune with our lovely summer weather.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always - enjoy playing with your grandchildren xxx
ReplyDeleteI LOVE SÃO LINDAS.BOA QUARTA.BEIJO.VALÉRIA.
ReplyDeleteYour cushion on that chair looks lovely,so fresh and clean looking.Enjoy your grandparenting.We are off to do 5 days in Cambridge doing the same.
ReplyDeleteOh I do want to make this so badly! I just finished my 3 little patchwork houses, they're really cute! We're having a break from the heat this week and I'm thankful for that, and the nearly constant rain had stopped. A bit more normal. Here's the link to my little houses post: http://redo101.blogspot.com/2013/07/pretty-patchwork-houses.html
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Mary
Dear Helen, your flowery pillow is so beautiful! Lovely design and those flower pots are really cute! I haven't ripped my pillow project yet - it's waiting how I feel about it later. I'm so happy to hear that you have hot, sunny weather and then your gardens are the most beautiful! Here it's quite dry this time.
ReplyDeletex Teje
How pretty is that flower pot cushion Helen, it look so summery. I have no luck growing agapanthus...your friend must have very green fingers. Enjoy having the grandbabies...so exciting. Summer is such a special time x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to create such a delightful post. I always love seeing your projects & gardens. I especially love your color palette. Have fun with your little chickpeas :)
ReplyDeleteThat cushion is so summery and lovely! Your house must be the prettiest house ever!
ReplyDeleteMaria x
Love all the summery pictures. I also love to wander through other peoples gardens, always inspiring.
ReplyDeleteLoving this gorgeous flowerpot cushion and all its detail. It certainly is summery and it looks wonderful on that white rocking chair. I love rocking chairs and would happily own a few, wish we had a little more space. Your pots are looking so colourful with those pretty petunias and your friends garden looks idyllic, wow sitting underneath a vine shaped pegola, that's quite something. How lovely for you to have your grandchildren for two days a week, I hope you enjoy this time and don't find it too tiring. Our holidays start tomorrow, last day of school today so lots of fun to be had. Puppet making certainly sounds like fun. Warm wishes and happy crafting to you lovely Helen xoxo
ReplyDeleteDear Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find the energy to paint your chair :-)! I still have to finished a desk in my room and a little table, but find it too hot!
The chair looks good with your new pillow on it!
Wishing you a good time with your grandchildren!
Madelief x
Hi Helen what a glorious post yet again, thank you so much. I have had your book to hand this week, went to a patchwork class yesterday and am going to try and make a little quilt similar to the ones you have made in your book with the block I made. Not sure if I am up to the quilting though. Was also going to try the flower picture to use on a cushion would you believe - you have already done it! Helen you have opened my eyes to the wonderful world of applique and though I am not that good at it, I just adore doing it. Have a lovely time with your grandchildren - I do envy you as ours have moved far away and we don't seem them very often, miss them so so much, it hurts. Have a wonderful week and thanks for inspiring me yet again.
ReplyDeleteLots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
crochetknittingsewing.blogspot.com
Dorothy's Room
Dear Helen, you are such an inspiration to me with your candy colors and happy personality. I crocheted two bunnies for my visiting granddaughters - I am going to take a photo of them with their bunnies later as they're getting dressed to go out to dinner. Enjoy your lovely weather, we're having the same!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Helen! I wish you have a good summer with two of his young chickpeas! And this pillow, white, is wonderful! Absolutely beautiful ... I wish you good summer! Kisses from Catalonia!
ReplyDeleteA very sweet and summery pillow!! The little pots are just the cutest!! Glad you are enjoying some sunny and beautiful weather! Enjoy your sweet grandchildren and have a lovely week!! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteSomehow, this summer seems especially wonderful to me, weather wise, and it seems from what you have posted it is for you as well :) Your latest painting and sewing projects reflect my delight and celebration of the warmth and sunshine we are having near Mt. Hood. So glad you are having Grand time as I am...they are so precious :)
ReplyDeleteGracie xx
Lovely, flowery post. Helen! That pillow is so sweet! I am so happy you've had great summer weather, there are enough months to "enjoy" the rain... Happy times with the little ones!
ReplyDeleteYours,
Mia
A lovely pillow I love that design you have in your book as well. Everything about your post is fresh and calm in your post in the midst of all this heat. Love Pat x
ReplyDeleteAnother sweet project! I Love it! I ordered on Amazon UK your last book, I can't wait to have it on my hands :D
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Such sweet summery pictures! I love your pillow and chair.
ReplyDeleteThat pillow couldn't be any cuter if it practised! It is stunning, where do we order :0)
ReplyDeleteThe flower pot design is simply stunning x
ReplyDeleteLOVE the lollipop flowers - must give that a go ;0
ReplyDeleteHi Helen - Love your flower pillow in your old chair! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the grandchildren.
Judy
Hello Helen, the chair and cushion look great, just right for this wonderful summer we are all enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of a huge pot with Agapanthus in. They remind me of Madeira, a favourite holiday spot of ours, where they grow by the roadsides.
We had a great time in Kerry and the weather was fantastic. The animals really enjoyed themselves too, and we have a new addition, a gorgeous little dwarf rabbit called Chester.
Have a lovely sunny weekend, with much love, Linda x
Lovely post , as always, enjoy your grandchildren and good luck with the christmas stuff...
ReplyDeleteHugs from a very hot Amsterdam
Erna x
The cushion is adorable. I love the pink spotty stripe.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your cushion! And a picture in the frame. Have a lovely time with your grandkids :)
ReplyDeleteEwa from handmade home deco.
Good morning Helen...I've had a little break and now I'm doing lots of catching up! Your flower pot cushion is gorgeous and I love the addition of the stripy borders. It looks so pretty and summery on your newly painted chair.
ReplyDeleteYour friends garden is beautiful...the agapanthus looks stunning in the large terracotta pot and I dream of having a kitchen garden one day soon!
Have a lovely time with Charlie and Daisy...moments to treasure.
Happy Weekend,
Susan x
You create masterpieces Helen! You match colors, you do a perfect work on the details , I can see it !
ReplyDeleteBest wishes dear friend!
I just love the flower pots! ♥
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to have found your delightful blog, and I'm going to Amazon to look for your book :)
ReplyDeleteYour newest follower and blogging sister, Connie :)
Gorgeous flowers in pots, and your fabric ones are even nicer as they will last for ever.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pleasure to come and visit you here Helen. I always go away from your blog feeling inspired and invigorated! The gardening pictures remind me that I should really get on and do some gardening! Lovely, cushion,picture and freshly painted chair. Have a wonderful week!!! x
ReplyDeleteOh my. I've had enough summer heat to last a lifetime! Your photos are so refreshing. I love your fresh white chair and charming flower pots. I so enjoy savoring the details in your work.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, your posts always cheer me up! Your pillow and flowers are so pretty!! Love the clay pot of pretty flowers too! We are having an exceptionally hot summer and very high humidity, and a lot of rain!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Fresh paint, freshly sewn flowers and all those lovely fresh vegetables and fruits in your friend's garden. What a wonderful summer you're having and Charlie and Daisy....what sweet names! Carry on with the fun and festivities!
ReplyDelete