Wednesday 6 November 2013

Sewing Notions

 It has been a nice quiet week here so far, with time to catch up on some of the many wip's i have piling up.........there has been lots of sewing going on, so i thought i'd show a few pictures of some sewing notions...  first, here is the china bunny i bought in the cotswolds earlier this year....those of you who guessed i might turn him into a pin cushion were right :)...........
 ..............i am rather fond of this little sewing project bag that i made using a tanya whelan jelly roll....i loved adding pockets for scissors, tape measure, threads and a removable padded flower pincushion too.......
 .....and then i had fun adding buttons and hand stiching, little ribbon tags and other embellishments.......if you would like to know more you can find this project in here...............
 ............the kind of sewing i most enjoy is the decorative kind, and embellishments are one of the most important things....i have lots of them around my sewing room and studio.....too many to keep track of so i am always rummaging through baskets and boxes however organised i try to be..........
 ............i have begun creating with colourful selvedge again lately and am planning a sewing themed mini quilt...this applique spool is the first part............hope to show you more soon...........
 ...........i think it is sew pretty :)................below are some spool blocks, i loved the one in my farmer's wife quilt, so have been making a few more to add to another project..........a lot of wip's going on..
 ............the picture below shows one of my more recent storage ideas............a wooden cutlery tray, painted, and used to pile up sewing notions in....rather handy and it keeps all the bits and pieces for each project together.................
............the tray was from CK and had some pretty cutlery which went straight into our kitchen drawer (that already had a cutlery tray), so this one was perfect for re using...........
 .............we have had some wild weather this week, with howling winds and very chilly temperatures.......i decided to go outside and pick these little flowers from my flower patch before they vanished .......the anemones are popping up here and there and i love them even though it's a strange time of year to have them............
 .............the warm shades of the hydrangeas are the more usual sight in my house during autumn, drying out so we can enjoy the lovely colours over the winter............i also put the little pink fairy lights on this week..........soooo cosy .....................
 ...............the rest of the week i am planning some baking, some cooking, some cross stitch, some crochet and a lot of patchwork............i have a new patchwork crush involving lots of paper pieces and lots of sewing notions too............more about this soon :)....................i brought this beatrix potter postcard at the shop at hilltop farm on our trip to the lakes.........the illustration has always been one of my favourites...............the yellowy-apricot rose is probably the last one from this climber which goes up the back of our house........it has such a sweet scent and soft billowy petals..................
..............thank you for dropping in to see me here, lovely readers.............i love your visits and your sweet comments too.........wishing you a wonderful week ahead with happy, sunny days and peaceful cosy evenings...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxx

53 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Awe I love that Beatrix Potter image too..so sweet and I am in love with your bunny pincushion! :)
Lots of lovely sewing going on as well! That is a clever idea with the cutlery tray, it is hard to keep all the crafty bits and pieces under control....I know the feeling when you have to go through umpteen boxes to find that piece of ribbon you know you have! :)
Have a lovely week Helen,
V xxx

Unknown said...

Oh I do love how your bunny pincushion turned out! And I honestly was just looking at that bag pattern over the weekend for a Christmas break project, the decorative touches, which are both useful and beautiful, really make the bag! Your new spool with the selvedge is just soooo sweet and clever...as is the cutlery storage...oooo, just so much inspiration! :) Chrissie xxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Yessss Helen, I agree EMBELLISHMENTS are the best and the most fun to make it personal and interesting to look at! Love your bag and all the details. Fabric Selvedge now that is something?! Looks like something I will love too. It's funny because I have been saving a container of selvedge also from another blogger but have never done anything with them. BUT your colorful stripes are looking great, can't wait to see!!! Gorgeous flowers this time of year, how sweet, and that rose is brilliant. Thanks for sharing this happy post. Best to you, xoRobin

homemade@myplace said...

the wooden tray is such a clever idea!!!
xxxxx ale

KC'sCourt! said...

Your pictures always look so summery and warm
Julie xxxxxxxx

Susan Freeman said...

I love your wooden cutlery tray as a sewing notions box. It is both perfect and adorable! You always inspire me Helen.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Things and Thoughts said...

I could stay all evening looking at your beautiful creations, crafts, flowers,colors..oh, Helen, you have created your own universe which is so sweet and lovely!
Big hugs to you!!!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen!
The selvedge spool block is adorable!!! I hope this is going to be a pattern????? :) xoxo

sew said...

I love anemones & I've just brought in a sad looking rose bud from the garden, but whether it will open or not is another matter! I have knitting needles and crochet hooks etc in a new wooden cutlery tray I spotted in a charity shop! Mine isn't painted but I stuck pieces of different coloured felt in each compartment to stop things rolling about - and it's jolly useful! I love your postcard - the perfect illustration for you.

Betty said...

Love your things. The bunny is so cute and I love the bag.

Amy at love made my home said...

Your pincushion is so lovely! I love the word "notions" referring to sewing things, it always seems quite old fashioned, but comforting somehow. xx

Jane said...

What lovely embellies you have Helen and such well organised storage. I love that sweet bunny sitting in the tray..what fun. Enjoy the rest of the week x

Ali said...

Ooooh I love the bag (being a bit of a bag addict lol) All your makes and photos are gorgeous as always and your little bunny pincushion - far too cute xx

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! I really love your sewing notions bag. I also love the appliqué you made with the pretty fabric selvedges. I can foresee a lovely quilt being made with it!! :)

Unknown said...

GORGEOUS jug arrangement, love the slevage spool, the ribbons, an' all! Jen

Annerose said...

Das ist ja wieder wunderschön bei dir. Der Kasten mit dem Häschen ist eine tolle Idee, gefällt mir. Ich wünsche dir noch eine schöne Herbstzeit mit nicht ganz so vielen Stürmen.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

My Little Home and Garden said...

I like the clever use of the painted cutlery tray, Helen, as well as the wonderful bag and charming rabbit pincushion. You must have creative ideas swirling around your head all the time and I'm glad you share them here.

Enjoy the rest of the week while working on all of your colourful projects.

-Karen

scrappyjacky said...

So many lovely things as always....I do love those little pockets on the bag....decorative and useful.

Lorrie said...

Such pretty colours and patterns. Love the use for the bunny jug.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, everything is again so beautiful! I love your cute details like the slevage on the vase! Your idea for selvages to make spools is perfect! I may follow you. Would make lovely mini quilt! I know one wooden cutlery tray like that - but it's not mine ... have find one for me! Hugs! x Teje

Hannapat said...

Such a pretty and colourful post. I love your pretty pincushion, it is so 'darling'!. Your bag is gorgeous and I am quite partial to Tanya Whelan's fabric, so may I should give this a try one day soon. You still have so many beautiful flowers in your garden, aren't you lucky. I have saved the last of my climbing rose this weekend, but I suspect that will be the last. I too adore Beatrix and such a very pretty card, I don't think you can ever have too many of her gorgeous images around the house. Enjoy your week lovely Helen and thank you for your very sweet comment on my previous post. xoxo

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I am loving your selvedge spool block, they have been really catching my eye lately!! I also love the idea of using the cutlery tray for notions and pretty little things. I think I will be looking for one of those to use like you have. Cute, cute, cute things all over your post!!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Beautiful things here, I really love that patchwork bobbin :) x

Cindy said...

What a wonderful job you have - to get to stitch and sew all day long! I would love that:)

Amanda Peters said...

Lots of lovely sewing, but love the rabbit....

cristina said...

Helen, it's all very nice but again decorate a wooden tray painted all pink ... this is incredible! I love your blog and I always I visit! and I appreciate your sweet comments! Thanks for visit me! and thanks for sharing beautiful things! thank you, dear Helen!

Teresa Kasner said...

I always love to see your things you make.. such magical colors and makes. After I get done with my grandson's boy blanket, I want to make something girlie colored! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Stacey@ Cottage Stitches said...

i adore your new sewing bag, Helen, it is just so cute! saving the cute selvedges is a really good idea and to repurpose them into your spool quilt blocks is just genius!!
Enjoy the rest of your week :)

gilly said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous , gorgeous ! Love the idea of the sewing bag especially. Thanks for always inspiring me with your posts :-)
Xx

Anonymous said...

Oh my this is the second glimpse into a pretty sewing room this morning as I pop round my favourite blogs. I definitely need to sort mine out....it is too much 'workroom' and I need it to be more pretty. Thank you for the inspiration. Sarah xo

Crafted by Carly said...

Such great projects, as always! :-)
Please keep them coming (I always look forward to your gorgeous, colourful posts).....
Carly
x

Bee Lady said...

Great post...but aren't they all. I love the Beatrix Potter print. I love Beatrix Potter...period! The bunny pincushion is a great idea. I have a couple of similar ones that I use for Easter decorations. When I stop using them for Easter, I think I shall turn them into pincushions.

Cindy Bee

Bee Lady said...

PS - I noticed your ripple blanket...I just finished mine! It fits our queen sized bed. Biggest blanket I've ever made. (I won't be making another one that big anytime soon!)

Anonymous said...

I wish I could stay at motivated as you, as your wip's are beautiful. The fabric choices are gorgeous, as always, and your designs bring joy to my heart. I wish you had a daily online class that I was required to attend :)

Mary

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

What a gentleman your little bunny is Helen keeping hold of your pins for you while you work!
Your project bag is beautiful...I love the fabrics and pretty mix of colours and the little Tailor of Gloucester postcard is so sweet...I used to have a small ornament just like your pic but it sadly came to an unfortunate end and I've recently been looking for a replacement :-)
Such pretty flowers as always!
Hope you're having a happy, crafty week!
Susan x

SilverCuteDwarf said...

I love your works! Your bunny looks cute and funny, and I like so much your tray with mouse and project bag!

julie said...

What a treat to see all of your wonderful projects Helen. I do so love your little china bunny pin cushion, such a sweet idea. Hope the wild weather passes on by quickly. Peaceful cosy evenings are a must in the run up to Christmas, so I hope you have plenty in store x

sky-blu-pink said...

What a lovely time you are having! Beautiful colourful post which shows the variety of your talents to the fore!

Brenda Pruitt said...

You always have so much colorful candy for me here! I loved crazy quilting, though I haven't done any in years. The embellishing was so fun!
Brenda

Amy DeCesare said...

Your selvedges are just charming in the spool block, and also wrapped around a pretty vase of fresh flowers! I recognized that favorite illustration you showed, too - I have to agree - it's one of my own favorites as well!!! Haven't seen that little mouse for quite a while.

DianeM said...

Everything is lovely as usual :) The hydrangeas' colors are just beautiful...like an autumn sunset :)
Smiles, DianeM

koralee said...

Oh my goodness..that bunny pin cushion could not get any sweeter. I just love visiting you here...you always always make my day a whole lot brighter....such joy in your creations. xoxoxo Hugs for a wonderful weekend.

Unknown said...

Hi Helen where to start - so much to talk about with your wonderful post. I adore the little rabbit and what a fabulous idea to have it as a pincushion. Your jelly roll bag is one of my favourite pieces of all time - I have a jelly roll to have a go at the bag and you kindly gave me the name of the fabric you had used which I intend to get once I have had a dry run with my roll. I adore the way you have used the strips into such a creative spool, it looks stunning. Helen you are such an inventive and creative artist - I learn so much from you. Thank you for a fabulous post as always
Big hugs to you
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxx

Pat's Patch said...

I love that you've used your china bunny and cutlery tray for sewing things and they look so pretty. Always a treat to see your post and lovely makes. Love Pat x

Gracie Saylor said...

Ahhh glimpses of your quiet week and a peek at some of your wips has refreshed me, Helen. My outdoor geraniums are still blooming and I have one lone mauve hued hollyhock blossom that is braving our cooler temperatures and rainy days. I have had little time for crafting :( because our household while mainly happy has been hopping with changes: dear helpful guests, some coughs and colds, a cranky computer, and preparing emergency housing for a couple who needs it; but thankfully Baby Rose is thriving :) Thanks so much for your cheery, beautiful post!
Gracie xx

gillyflower said...

Oh my goodness, so much sewing with so many pretty fabrics!Love the sweet china bunny pin cushions, and the cheerful sewing bag.
Enjoy the last of the blooms from your garden, the rose is such a lovely colour.
Have a lovely weekend Helen!
Gillxx

Scented Sweetpeas said...

That is just the colour burst I needed Helen, thanks for sharing all your gorgeous creations and bright photos x

sweetpea family said...

Beautiful post so uplifting and inspiring x

forgetmenotsblue said...

Wow Helen everything is looking so beautiful I really love the autumnal coloured hydrangeas. Hope your having a lovely weekend xx

Beertje Zonn said...

Everything what I see on your post is so beautiful
Greetings, Sonnja

Annie Cholewa said...

Loving the selvedge spool ... I've always been fascinated by selvedges ... I can't wait to see what you do with it :)

Simone said...

I don't know how I missed this post! Truly inspirational to come here as usual. The colours on your blog are so soothing Helen. What a great idea for the cutlery tray and so pretty to display too. x

thesnailgarden said...

Beautiful patchwork as always - very inspiring. Best wishes, Pj x