Wednesday 11 December 2013

Merry Makings

 It has been another busy week here...even busier in fact.......and there seem to be more and more things to do.........but i have been finding odd moments to decorate our house for christmas, using things i have made and things i've collected over the years...........
 .............the jolly holly stocking pattern can be found here, and the birdie cushion was in this month's crafts beautiful magazine here..........the holly coasters are some i've just made and i love the fresh colours, especially with my china........
.............the mugs were a christmas present last year........(they are laura ashley ones)......and they are now holding hot chocolate and one or two marshmallows............
 ..........i love my little pip studio robin cup and i use it all year round but this is the perfect time.........
 .............................the red and white quilts and cushions are all in use now..................
 ..........another cheery christmas stocking from my collection of festive makes..............
 ................now that i have painted the old dresser with annie sloan chalk paint it is much prettier to arrange things on :)............much lighter and brighter..........
 ...............the christmas lights are still my favourite things, and the scented winter candles too.......
 .............i've been into the garden and picked some greenery and berries and some still flowering anemones to make some festive flower arrangements in jugs, glass bottles and on wreaths............
 ..............i have just got my exciting new copy of *love patchwork and quilting* and am delighted that my little patchwork birdies have made the front cover, such a cute little picture of them......the magazine is filled with wonderful modern quilts and exciting projects and packed with interesting information and stunning photography.................and a fab free gift too.........you can find it here......
 ..............below is the picture of my patchwork birdies featured in the magazine.......i loved making these, inspired by the shape of the robin that visits our garden, and using some of my favourite prints......you could make the birds in any fabrics and make them your very own..........
 .............and here are some of those amazingly bright anemones that have been cheering up my otherwise wintry cutting patch lately........i love these flowers and their jewel bright shades..........
thank you for coming to visit me here, lovely readers, and for your sweet comments too.......i know it is extra busy for everyone now, so a visit is even more special at the moment :).........wishing you a wonderful week, with lots of happy crafty times among all the busyness............back soon xxxxxx

45 comments:

Simone said...

Your house is so beautifully decorated Helen. I bet your Christmas will be full of wonderful memories to treasure. Your handmade touches make it all the more special. x

Jenn M said...

I love all your merry makes Helen! Your stockings remind me that I will have two extra guests in the house this Christmas so I had better stitch up a couple so Santa can leave them some treats too.
I hope the magazine makes it across the pond - it looks so pretty, especially your sweet little birds which I think I would stitch in some lovely spring fabrics.
Have a wonderful and cozy holiday season!

Jenn@JennsCraftyWorld

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Wow, what a gorgeously bright and beautiful post Helen! I always adore visiting here as I always leave with a wonderful smile on my face and feeling hugely inspired!

I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and loved ones!

Take care

Vanessa xxx

Christine B said...

What beautiful decorations. Your house looks gorgeous! Full of Christmas spirit! :)

My Little Home and Garden said...

Your home is looking full of handmade Christmas delights, Helen. I'm especially fond of the birdie cushion and the colourful little birds on the branches. As for having blooms from your garden at this time of year, I'm a bit in awe.

Enjoy the rest of your week, making things "merry and bright".

-Karen

Jennifer Hays said...

Your house is so pretty. I love all of your decorations but I think the stocking in the first photo is particularly beautiful.

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

Your house and decorations look so lovely and I should be doing my own but I had to sit down and take a break so what better way than to visit my friends.
Your birds on the cover are so "tweet"...LOL! I couldn't resist that one.

justpootling said...

Hi Helen
What gorgeous, gorgeous photo's. I especially love your little birds and the last photo of the flowers and baubles is stunning.
Kate x

Share Clear Best Cardsahring Cccam Server said...

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Anonymous said...

Oh Helen, your posts never disappoint, always bring me cheer! Love the stockings, love the birdies! The fabrics are gorgeous, the flowers, too. I'm so excited about sewing on my new machine and when I finish the mug rugs I'm making as gifts, I plan to get back into your books as my "dark days of January" project - that will make the month fly by in a happy wave of pretty fabrics and decorative items! Thanks for all you share with us!
Mary

Ali said...

Beautiful!!! pleeeaaase can I come and live with you :-) xxx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

So happy your sweet little birdies made the cover, they are adorable!! Your stockings and quilts are so bright and cheerful. I love sewing with bright fabrics!!

Gracie Saylor said...

It suddenly hit me as I was enjoying this post, "Helen understands the importance of white and how to use it effectively!" [a mystery to me :-)]

I am amazed that you can still go out and cut your cheering anemones!!! I love them, too! Our ponds are still frozen, but we are supposed to get rain over the next two days.

Your little birds, Santa socks, and coasters are very cheering as well, Helen. Thanks for posting xx

Swallow Barn said...

just beautiful - LOVE the stocking!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I don't know were to start Helen, everything is so beautiful.
I love the little birdies and the gorgeous coaster and your dresser looks absolutely amazing!!
Those pretty anemones are a real treat at this time of year!
V xxx

Thais said...

I loved all pictures..
your home is wonderful...
Thais

Cindy said...

I love those sweet birds and the coasters too. I guess I love everything that you make:)

Amy at love made my home said...

Everything is looking beautiful Helen. I always feel so peaceful and happy after reading one of your posts. I love your little robin teacup, I would have to use it year round too. Hope that you are having a lovely time with all of your preparations. xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Good evening Helen!....Such a lovely festive post...your home is looking beautiful. I'm only just starting to decorate and you have definitely inspired me to get a move on!
Your painted dresser looks gorgeously festive with the pretty lights and decorations and I love your little patchwork birds (I have an old bird cage which I plan to paint and I can just imagine them in it in my workroom!)Lovely to see them on the magazine cover too.
Your anemones are beautiful!
Susan x

20 North Ora said...

All of your Christmas décor is so bright and cheery! Can't believe you still have gorgeous flowers in bloom.

Happy Wednesday!

Judy

Lillie and Moss said...

Hi Helen, I've been MIA for awhile in my craftiness but I am back and it's always a pleasure visiting all your beautiful makes....so much inspiration here I do not where to start!!
Happy Holidays!
xo Shari

ps..my new craft blog is up and running...thestitchpattern.blogspot.com
would love if you came for a visit

Brenda Pruitt said...

I can imagine with all your hand made pretties, Christmas at your place is a vision.
Brenda

craftmates said...

Everything is lovely. You have such beautiful things.

Teresa Kasner said...

Helen.. love all the pretty photos in this post. It looks like you are all set for the holidays.. I hosted my 2 sisters and best friend for a luncheon yesterday.. photos on blog. I'm really enjoying this month!

❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

homemade@myplace said...

I'm in love with your stockings!!!!
xxxxx Ale

Jane said...

Good morning Helen, your home is really looking so beautiful for Christmas, such an exciting time. Many congrats re your birdies making the front page, they are perfect! Enjoy gettiing everything ready for the big day but I hope you still get some time for crafting too ;0) xx

gilly said...

Everything is just oh-so-gorgeous as always! It's lovely to see all your pretty makes, the red & White is so crisp and festive. Wishing you & yours a truly blessed and Merry Christmas,
Love Gilly xx

KC'sCourt! said...

Can I come and live with you, you house is gorgeous
Julie xxxxxxxx

scrappyjacky said...

Such a lovely array of christmassy things,Helen. We have some christmas mugs as well....when they come out each year.....I know the christmas season has truly arrived.

Things and Thoughts said...

Your Christmas makes are so lovely and precious.Your own creations, hand made items which add joy and warmth to your house.The bed covered with the red quilt and the stockings catched my eyes.Really beautiful!
Wish you the happiest Christams time Helen!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Such sweet little birds, it's all looking very festive over at yours Helen! :) x

forgetmenotsblue said...

Beautiful. Lots of wonderful inspiration in your post xx

Unknown said...

Hi Helen as always you have written such a fabulous post, I love the things you have made and cannot wait to get my hands on the magazine. Little birds are a particular favourite of mine and I have made one or two but badly need more........my little granddaughter seems to have become fixated with my little birds so I will be making some of your for her. Thank you for a wonderful post, always worth waiting for. Big hugs to you and your family Helen
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Everything looks so beautiful Helen! I have decided to paint a lot around here in white next spring! Thank you for a lovely post! x Teje

Unknown said...

Helen as always your lovely posts are just a joy to read and look at. I adore the little birds and cannot wait to get my hands on the magazine so I can make some. I love little birds for some reason and my little granddaughter seems to have the same fixation as me so no doubt we will be making some together. A fabulous post as always Helen, big hugs to you and your family
Dorothy
sasebre 15A

Hannapat said...

So many gorgeous things to look at. I love your pretty stockings and the lovely bird cushion, but my fave are the lovely coasters, they are so sweet. I was admiring that painted dresser and remembering when you painted it. YOu used grey didn't you?! I have my annie sloan paint sitting waiting for a spot of painting, but for now it will have to wait a little longer. Well done on getting those lovely birdies on the front of the magazine, I am not at all surprised, they are beautiful. I do need to get a copy of this magazine. I really hope that you are enjoying the run up to the festive season. Much love xoxo

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Congratulations on your birdies making the front cover of the magazine! You must be so proud. I enjoyed seeing the Christmas decorations in your house. They look just the way I like them :-)

A Happy weekend, hope you will find some time to relax!

Madelief x

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vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Your Christmas stockings are so sweet and pretty! Love the holly coasters! Congrats on having your beautiful patchwork birds featured! So exciting! Wishing you a merry and joyful weekend! xo Heather

Stacey@ Cottage Stitches said...

such pretties! love the stocking and I also love your mugs in the photos...i think i would own hundreds of mugs of i had the room to store them all!

moonstruckcreations said...

Such Christmassy prettiness! Love the colours you have used.

Helenxx

A little happy place said...

Such pretty Christmas makes Helen! I have subscribed to Patchwork and Quilting, it's great and lovely to see your birds in there. Have a lovely week. Sarah xo

Unknown said...

Hi Helen, What can I say!!! Wow and Wow!!! Beautiful makes and it looks wonderfully Christmas-y at your place!!! Have a fab day!!!
Love
AMarie

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,
your merry makings are so wonderful!
Especially the holly applications. Have a great week.Nicolexxx

Sigrun said...

Helen, your decoration is beautiful and this candies I would eat! No calories ...

I wish you a Wonderful Christmas time.

Sigrun

Unknown said...

Wow, what a gorgeously bright and beautiful post Helen! I always adore visiting here as I always leave with a wonderful smile on my face and feeling hugely inspired!
happy wheels
super mario bros
pacman
agario