Summer Crafting

This is my new work- in- progress applique quilt...home sweet home.......or house and garden....i created this quilt design originally years ago when i was inspired by folk art and homespun subtle colours and the result with a very antique looking quilt............i still loved the idea and decided to make a new version.......

                            ...........using the fresh floral shades that i love at the moment........

 ...........it already felt like a summer design to me especially after i added the big yellow applique sun shining in the sky..................there are borders with pieced squares and applique flowers and there will be a couple of fabric borders and then another pieced border round the outside edge.... a labour of love and one that will be fun to evolve..............the buttons are part of my crafty haul from our recent visit to manchester................

...........they remind me of summer flowers and i think i'll be adding some to the quilt when it is finished........the crochet is new too..........a blanket based on the colours of seaside rock......

 ......a granny stripe that is easy to work on while talking to family and friends or keeping an eye on the grandchildren.............

 ..........a big pile of flowery colourful fabrics ready to cut out the pieced border when i get a spare moment or two.........below is my summer flower garland from my pretty patchwork gifts book......

                   ...........hanging on the dresser ready for a summer party this weekend.................

 ............because it's my birthday tomorrow :)...........and today is my daughter rosie's birthday......we will be having a joint celebration as we often do and so i will be filling up the vases with flowers and hanging up more bunting...............tidying up the house and garden and doing a bit of baking......

 ...........and if the weather forecast is correct we'll be able to enjoy the party in the garden too......... and here is a new spread in my garden journal.......one of the things i love to do is to visit private gardens when they open for charity, and a nearby village held its annual secret gardens day a week ago.........all the gardens were so well cared for, but there was one which especially appealed to me, like a small version of hidcote manor, with lots of rooms or sections.............i really loved it, so made some notes about it for future reference........the garden belonged to an old cottage dated 1683 and i rather loved that too....

 ...........in our own garden the plants are growing strongly after a nice shower or two of rain.....

 ............the cutting garden is full of plants in bud just waiting to open, and the roses are happily rambling up the walls and trellis...............

 ............this one grows on the back of the small garage which was built in the 1940's........the house is victorian and originally had a small stable for the pony :)................

...........this is one of my favourite rambling roses, the blooms look so crisp and smooth and have a delicious scent..........and in the bottom right picture are the very first sweet peas flowering.............
thank you for visiting me here in my little blog space, it's always a pleasure to see you and reading your sweet comments and emails makes my day................have a wonderful summery week, with flowers and crafts and whatever you enjoy......and happy july 4th to everyone celebrating!!!!........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx