Wednesday 13 November 2013

Patchwork Pieces

It's a bright and sunny autumn day here, and i am glad to say that i managed to finish a few wip's this week.....not many, and not helped by a reminder from my lovely lady accountant that my paperwork was due on her desk :(.......but here is the little big dipper quilt i showed you when i first began it, using fresh lights, brights and whites.................
...........i love making doll quilts, they are a great way of exploring patterns and colours that may inspire a bigger quilt or other projects, and i have always liked to have colourful textiles around me while i work..............i am planning to make more little quilts to use as wall hangings..........
..............the big dipper pattern is one i have always loved for its liveliness and sense of movement.....
.............i took a few pictures with some cute creatures, like winnie the winter doll in the top picture, the little china bunny above, and below the mousie (who has her own bed) in a maileg high chair (perfect fit!).............you can also see some of my new rupert blocks from chipper nelly.............
 ............the quilt fits the much-used and now rather knocked about ikea bed that featured in one of my earlier books and is played with by daisy all the time......she loves it so much.......i might re paint it soon, maybe  pale blue next time.................
 ..........i wanted a fabric for the backing which had a sense of movement too and found this one in the depths of my fabric cupboard......
 .............although i finished some works in progress, as in two magazine projects, my tax paperwork and the little big dipper doll quilt......i also began some more wip's :)...............a while ago i bought some ready cut diamond paper pieces from sew and quilt .....i absolutely love english paper piecing and was so looking forward to making something with those diamonds.........
 ..............i picked out a pile of pretty fabrics for the kind of thing i had in mind..................
                                        .............and began making the six point stars..................
 ..............this is such a lovely, simple way to create lots of stars for an eventual quilt........
 ..............i have made patchworks using english paper piecing all my life and find it so easy and relaxing to do, and also the best way for me to make accurate blocks ;).......i like how it is portable and how you soon build up a collection of blocks..............it also means i can sew it while chatting to my dearies or watching a film or listening to radio 4.....................
 ...........besides the small six point stars i'm making, i also began cutting out some big eight point stars a while ago from a template in an old patchwork book.............i have only made one big block for that so far but will have a proper starry progress post soon, i think.............
.............thank you for visiting my little blog space, lovely readers..........it is so wonderful to see you and thank you for the sweet and interesting comments you leave, i enjoy reading them so much..........
wishing you all a wonderful, happy, sunny week......................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

44 comments:

Kirsten said...

Those quilts are beautiful! One day... One day... I know I've been saying it for years now but one day...

Gerda said...

Lovely little quilts. Love your bright and light use of colour. It's always nice to have something portable to work at, on the moment I'm always crocheting granny squares. (or knitting an easy but dull sweater for my eldest.) And here in Holland the waether is bright this day too! Groetjes, Gerda

susanhal said...

Lovely little quilt, and Winnie too, she looks so tiny in that bed, like a real child when it move from a cot to a big girl's bed.
Your blog is always a feast for the eyes.
Lovely.

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your doll quilt is just darling, I really love the brightness of it!! The english paper piecing is also very pretty, can't wait to see more!!

Betty said...

You touched my heart with these little projects. I think I will try these with my granddaughter.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh my Helen, that little quilt is so sweet! I love your stars too, I always leave this happy place wanting to make a quilt! :) I still haven't got around to it though maybe you need to do a post every day to keep me motivated!!!! ;)
Have a wonderful week,
V xxx

Cindy said...

I love your little quilt so much! And guess what? I'm making a EPP star quilt too. Hopefully I will have a post on it soon:) And I can't wait to see what you do with your stars. Have a great day! Cindy

KC'sCourt! said...

Gorgeous quilt, you are really inspiring lady
Julie xxxxx

Christine said...

I love the sweet doll quilt and your beautiful paper piecing. As always your post makes me very happy and inspired.

gilly said...

Your makes always add a touch of prettiness & joy to my day. Love that little itty bitty doll quilt, it's just perfect!
xx

homemade@myplace said...

all sweet!!!!
xxxx Ale

Unknown said...

Your little dolly quilts have inspired me...as I have just finished my first quilt (and thank you so much for your sweet comment!), I really want to practice various designs and techniques of quilting, but I don't necessarily have the time to commit to a lot of big quilt projects - but a series of dolly-sized quilts, now there's a possibility! And your idea of wall hangings makes me want a mini-quilt gallery on the stairwell...Chrissie x

Studio Wien-art said...

What a beauty!!
Greetings, Corine

Anonymous said...

Lovely - the colors and the design. This would be a good project for me to start with, I haven't made quilts in many years and want to do some patchworking but can't take on a full quilt. This is perfect! Thanks for your weekly inspiration :)

Hugs ~ Mary

PamKittyMorning said...

Oh my gosh, so sweet!

Annerose said...

Ein wunderschöner kleiner Quilt für das süße Püppchen. Und die Stoffe sind immer so toll.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

scrappyjacky said...

That little quilt is gorgeous...and I too think paper piecing is a lovely way to make patchwork....especially for someone like me who has real precision issues!!

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh Helen, that little quilt is exquisite and so happy and pretty! I have a little rabbit I made from Alicia Paulson's kit and I think I need a tiny bed for her. I've seen that design called bow tie, I think. I finished some pink booties (on my blog this morning) - for Gracie's new GD. LOVE your photos!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Amy at love made my home said...

Your little quilt is so cute! Looking forward to see what happens to the stars! xx

Ladybird Diaries said...

Oh the little doll quilt is just so lovely! I aim to start a quilting project in the new year.
Marianne x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, Dolly quilt how sweet, love the pattern and fabrics. The backing fabric is delightful!! I have so many WIP's to work on it's overwhelming. They will be my winter projects!! Your quilting is so even and neat, it makes a beautiful texture. I've never tried a six point star with paper piecing, I think I will have to someday!!! It would be a stunning quilt.
Enjoy the rest of your week my friend, xoRobin

Jane said...

How sweet these litttle quilts are Helen and I love your dolly in her bed...I have all these things to look forward to with my little Daisy...how exciting. Thanks for you lovely comment..we are just so thrilled. Enjoy the rest of the week, Jane x

Plain Jane said...

Oh now that dolly quilt is just gorgeous - well done! Jane x

forgetmenotsblue said...

The dolly quilt is gorgeous. I love the backing you've used too it really does give it a sense of movement your right. Your next WIP looks interesting you always know how to put lovely fabrics together xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

How Daisy must love coming to visit you Helen with so much loveliness around to play with and your little dolly always looks so content in her bed tucked under her latest quilt! It's gorgeous and the backing fabric is a perfect choice too.
Love your stars..they are so pretty in those fabrics ...
Happy Crafting Thursday!
Susan x

Simone said...

You are such a prolific crafter Helen! I wish I had your energy and vision! Beautiful doll quilt. The dollys' are surely spoiled. x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Dang! I sure do wish I had learned to sew when I was younger. just don't have the patience for it now. So lovely to see all that you create. Those little quilts as wallhangings is a lovely idea. I bet you can whip them out in no time. :) Best wishes, Tammy

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

Loving it all and my first quilt was a doll quilt which I still display. I heard about your storms over there! Cozy as long as there's no damage. I too love EPP but haven't indulged for a while now. It is addicting though and you're so right...just the thing for watching the tube or listening to a book on tape etc. Lovely flowers...mine here are trying to hold on but many got frosted out the other night. We've had a cold spell here which is unusual this early in the season.
I love what you did with the porcelain bunny! Now, I'm going to be on the lookout! Actually I have some squirrels that usually hold votive candles but.....I'm visualizing them holding little pincushions now! LOL! Have a great week!

Hannapat said...

Hello lovely Helen. What a beautiful dolls quilt you made, I love the pretty colours and also the design. I purchased some paper hexies from sew and quilt and they do come in handy. Do you leave them attached to your fabric, therefore do you sew them in or do you just use them to cut the fabric?? Enjoy your sewing, and making more of those very gorgeous stars, what a clever idea! xoxo

Unknown said...

Helen what gorgeous little quilts, I adore dolly quilts somehow they are even more wonderful that the bigger version. As always our photographs are just stunning - the maileg range is one of my most favourite things in the world. There is a shop in Llandudno which stocks a big range of them - furniture and beds and I am always tempted to buy some - not for myself I must stress - but for the little ones!!!! Loved your post Helen, always a treat for the eyes and the heart. Thank you so much, big hugs to you
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxx

A little happy place said...

Gorgeous as ever Helen. I love making mini quilts and dolls quilt, my daughter has quite a collection. I want to make my first sampler quilt and saw that you had made the Farmers Wife Sampler quilt, I'm torn between that and The Loyal Union Sampler, oh decisions, decisions... Have a lovely weekend, Sarah xo

Crafty in the Med said...

Hello Helen,
that is the sweetest little quilt! The stars are gorgeous too. I am wondering if that sort of make could be a starting point for me. I so wish to learn how to quilt.I still haven't got around to it yet. I am so comfortable with my crochet that learning another craft is a big step.

keep well

Amanda :-)

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

The photo of the doll under the quilt is just lovely! How pleased your granddaughter will be, to have such a creative grandmother like you!

Happy weekend!

Madelief x

* Have to do some paperwork myself as well :-(

Kristyne said...

sigh and a smile. that's what you do to me. :) xo k

gillyflower said...

That is such a beautiful little dolls quilt Helen, the fabrics are so pretty.
Hand-piecing is very peaceful don't you think? Your star blocks look perfectly pretty!
Have a lovely weekend Helen!
Gill xx

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for both the showing and telling in your post, Helen...they are inspiring and instructional! For many years I had a little doll quilt my mom or auntie made and I used to keep my dolls tucked up and cozy under it :) So far I have still just completed a little 9 patch quilted pillow, and am collecting material and cut squares for a large quilt I want to complete "someday." Your steady creativity, and completion of many small projects as well as some large ones helps me get a better sense of how I might organize my time to accomplish more...including those pesky business things like taxes :) Cheers for you, Helen!
Gracie xx

Diane said...

The quilts are lovely! Is there a pattern for both Winnie and her quilt?

What special gifts for a little girl.

Diane

My Little Home and Garden said...

What a fortunate little doll to have such a beautiful quilt to keep her warm. I visited the David Bowie exhibit this past week (in Toronto) and admired the quilted "spacesuit" on display. Bowie and quilting; I hadn't known about that particular pairing!

Have a beautiful week, Helen.

-Karen

vintage grey said...

Hi Sweet Helen,
The doll quilt is darling and love all the sweet prints! I have made one doll quilt and they are fun to make! Love the diamond stars!! I am eager to give them a try after my hexie quilt is finished. Have a lovely and crafty week! xo Heather

trudette said...

You have a great blog , will be visiting often !

koralee said...

Oh my goodness my friend...this little sweet doll is so adorable and to think she has her ownx100 little charming quilt...you really are the most creative person I know. xoxoxo HUGS

Things and Thoughts said...

Dear Helen,
Everything is pretty perfect by you!I admire your talent and passion for what you do and I think that young and old fully appreciate your handmade creations.
Looking forward to see more Christmas ideas from you!

Unknown said...

Lovely little quilt, and Winnie too, she looks so tiny in that bed, like a real child when it move from a cot to a big girl's bed.
Your blog is always a feast for the eyes.
happy wheels
super mario bros
pacman
agario

Diane Pretak said...

Is this a free pattern on the doll quilt?
It is darling and would love to make it!!