Tuesday 7 January 2014

Making Things

 It's cold and chilly here with gale force winds blowing the sea onto our promenade almost every day.........the perfect time to be indoors and making things...........i have been very busy over the past week working on magazine commissions which have to be kept secret for a little while yet.......but here is something i made earlier...........a birdie flower wreath decoration............
 ..........i made this last summer (here it is in the potting shed) when i made the long string of birds but haven't shown the pictures till now..........i was inspired to make it when i saw some similar decorations in a local shop...........you can find wire circles at many florist's shops, cover with fabric or ribbon, glue on embellishments like buttons and flowers with a glue gun and add a little stuffed fabric bird on a beaded string to hang in the middle..............
 ..........it is a cheery and colourful addition to my dresser now that the xmas decorations have come down.........i miss the twinkly little fairy lights and candle bridges and the lights in the tree in our front garden.........as well as sewing with my pam kitty picnic fabrics for work purposes, i have used lots of little scraps to sew two tiny patchy pincushions............this one has beads sewn in the four corners...
 ...........and applique hearts...........and a couple of buttons.......the other is simply made with postage stamp patches...........working with colourful fabrics, like working with colourful paint, is  wonderfully uplifting during dark wintry days............
 ...........i've been reading a lot lately too, lots of lovely new books came my way at christmas.......
 .............the picture below is a double page spread from *the world of cross stitching* magazine, showing the sampler i designed for issue 212 which is out right now in the shops or online here....
 ................this sampler includes some lovely new little charms and lots of homely, pretty motifs.....
 ...........i love the cupcake charm..........and tea and tea pots are a big part of my day :)........
 ...........so are bulbs at this time of year, i love these sweet hyacinths just opening now...........
............i looked in the garden for something for my special vase and found: daisies, a tiny bud of an anemone, some little pink flowers in a pot from last summer, and some huge hydrangea heads bobbing about in the wind...........not much else at the moment, but lots of green shoots and buds and promise of plenty to come in the next few weeks.............
 ...........here is my new ripple blanket which is such a pleasure to work on, i am loving the stripes and i am sure working on something with lots of colours speeds up the crochet...........
 ..........i also want to make something with the crochet flowers i made last spring, but have to find them first....put away in a tidying up session, they have vanished into my studio somewhere......
.............thank you, lovely readers, for your very kind comments and new year wishes.......it is so lovely to have your visits here and to 'meet' you through the blogosphere............i hope you are keeping cosy in all the bad weather (unless you live in warmer, summery places, of course :))........and enjoy some making and crafting to brighten up the chilly days...............back soon xxxxooxxxxxxxxx

58 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

More lovely bright pictures to lighten the very wet new year. I love birdie.
Julie xxxxxxxxxxx

Jenn M said...

I love the birdie wreath Helen: I fell in love with your birdie string last year and it is on my crafting 'to-do' list for this year (hopefully). With temperatures here hitting minus 40 degrees F. today I think that just might be a good project to work on. Either that or my own ripple blanket WIP.

Take care!

Jenn @JennsCraftyWorld

Christine B said...

What a beautiful little decorative wreath Helen and such cheerful colours. Love the colours you are using for your ripple blanket too. :)

justpootling said...

Hello Helen
Lovely, lovely things as always, especially your beautiful blanket.
Kate x

Lillie and Moss said...

All are so lovely Helen, especially your ripple blanket. You really have a eye for coordinating colors together!
xx Shari

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen,
das ist ja ganz wunderbar geworden. Der Kreis mit dem Vögelchen und das Mobile, ganz toll. Deine Stoffe sind einfach klasse. Ich mag deine Sachen.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Anonymous said...

I do love that pretty little flower vase Helen! :)
Your crochet blanket is coming on a treat, such beautiful colours, definitely a mood lifter!!
I do love your gorgeous little pin cushions. :)
Happy Tuesday,
V xxx

Unknown said...

Bellissime cose!! Amo tutti i colori che hai usato!!!

Anonymous said...

It really is amazing to me how working with pretty colored fabric makes January seem a joy! Normally when we take down Christmas, I feel very sad for a while, everything's so drab. But working on my "Scrumptious" quilt leaves no room for sad because my life is still full of color. And I'm loving all your color on today's post: flowers, crochet, cross stitch, pin cushions - so much beautiful color to bright up this 9 degree F world we awoke to this a.m. Hmm, think I'll work on my quilt some more ;)

Big Hugs ~ Mary

forgetmenotsblue said...

Hello Helen.
So lovely to see bright happy photos. The weather has been dreadful here in north wales so, so nice to see colour.
I love the pick of the day bottle xx

Amy at love made my home said...

All so lovely and spring like! The colours in your ripple go beautifully together Helen. Hope you are keeping warm and dry. xx

Unknown said...

What a pretty, pretty post! How do you manage to choose such delicious colour combos every time? :-) The ripple blanket is so beautiful, my fave colours all lined up...wishing you a happy and safe start to the new year, Chrissie x

scrappyjacky said...

The ripple blanket is gorgeous....how I wish I could crochet!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Happy New Year Lovely Helen,

So many lovely makes!!!! Love your bulbs too, I have hyacinths just popping up too. (don't know the color yet) All your fabrics are just so bright and cheery, I think that's what draws me in the most. You have great color style!! Ripple is really coming along, can't wait to see the ripple flower garden : )
Well, take care my dear, always a seer pleasure to visit with you, xoRobin

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Beautiful, really loving the bird in the hoop :) xx

Cindy said...

I love visiting you blog and seeing all the bright, pretty colors. I really like your cross stitch that uses charms in the pattern. I like adding charms to many things!
We are having very cold temps here in the US. I hope spring is early this year!

Teresita said...

Muy bonito todo!!!!!!!!!Feliz Año 2014!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Hi Helen ~ This is my first visit to your blog and I wanted to take a minute to leave you a comment and tell you how lovely it is! I just love all your bright happy colors, and your projects are awesome! Thanks for adding some sweet color to my day. I'll be back! :o)

Rebecca said...

Such lovely photos for such a cold wet start to the year! Happy new year to you x

thriftwood said...

Even though it's winter outside, it's always spring on your blog Helen! Lovely makes, and just looking at your pics make my heart sing ...

Love Claire xx

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen! All such beautiful makes and I am loving the gorgeous colors in your ripple blanket! Wishing you a cozy and crafty week! xo Heather

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen! All such beautiful projects and I just love the colors of your ripple blanket! So pretty! Wishing you a cozy and crafty week! xo Heather

A little happy place said...

Hi Helen, oh how much would I like to snuggle up under that ripple blanket. As always you have been so busy, I have hurt my back so it has slowed up my crafty activity, thank goodness for hexies and a bit of crochet (nothing as lovely as yours I would add!) Have a lovely week, Sarah xo

Sandies' Patch said...

Your makes brighten up the day!
Love your birdies.
xxx

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

You are such a busy bee! Lovely makes....have a Very Craft 2014! :) x

Lorrie said...

Lovely bright colours and patterns that cheery up these dreary winter days.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Beautiful as always! Lovely idea Helen, to use wire like that! We do need now some decorations after taking all the Christmas stuff away. I keep still the bling-bling lights because I love them. This time I have put them going around the wall/ceiling corner in the bedroom and the light is so beautiful and warm. Have a lovely week! x Teje

Swallow Barn said...

I love the bird wreath and I'm still loving the colours of your ripple, so pretty. You have such an eye for colour!

Amanda Peters said...

Very lovely stuff, like the bird wreath the best...

Jane said...

What a bright cheerful post Helen to cheer up a very dreary day with yet more rain. How lovely to still find some flowers to fill your pretty vases. The ripple blanket is looking great, keep cosy x

sky-blu-pink said...

More lovely pretty things! The pincushions are inspiring! And I am waiting for a moment to make the birdies rom Crafts Beautiful!

Ali said...

So so pretty, as always your little patchwork pin cushions are gorgeous!! Such pretty pictures :-) I think I've missed your last post - so off to catch up - ooh and at longlast I got your patchwork book for christmas :-) now I just need to get some pretty fabrics xxx

Bee Lady said...

Love your birdie wreath and the ripple blanket! I am really enjoying the one I made. Your colors are beautiful, and I agree, it goes much faster with color changes. Not so boring! We are getting a bunch of snow...tons....blizzard conditions and 17.5 inches of snow. So I got the sewing machine out and started stitching. So excited about sewing again.

Cindy Bee

Lori ann said...

everything is so precious and pretty helen, love love love the little bird in a wreath. i can't bear to take down the twinkle lights, and keep them up (in my studio) all year round.
can't wait to see all your magazine doing's, i'm off to follow your link now.
happy new year and all the best in 2014!
lori xox

Caroline said...

Beautiful post as always...such lovely fresh colours. I love your ripple blanket, lovely colour combo!
Caroline xx

Gracie Saylor said...

So many cheery ideas in spite of your challenging weather, Helen. Thanks for your encouragement. We are supposed to have rain every day this week with high temps in the 40s; not extreme or dangerous, but enough to remind me to care for those who are suffering. Wishing you continuing happily productive days :) xx

homemade@myplace said...

happy 2014 Helen!!!!!
Love your new ripple blanket!!!!
xxxxx Ale

Primrose Beresford said...

Hi

Loving the colours in your blanket. I find that it is difficult to get nice greens and I'm loving the ones you have there.

Take care
Prim xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hi Helen and Happy New Year!

I think most peoples thoughts (in the UK that is) are turning to Spring...the wind, the rain, the flooding - I think we could all do with a little rest.

Nina x

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your sweet things you have made sure have been a bright spot in my day! I hope you stay warm!!

Simone said...

Lovely birdie flower wreath. I love the 'pick of the day' vase - what a great idea! I hope the weather is improving for you now. x

Frances said...

Helen, your cheering colorways are actually bringing a bit of springtime hope to this chilly January day...it's 9 degrees F here in New York.

That bird shape is very flexible...using differing materials seems to change its "personality."

I've never used a hot glue gun, but keep thinking that one of these days I'll get around to adding one to my craft supplies. Is there a particular model, or particular features that you would recommend. I'm sure that a very basic model would do for any project I'd attempt. And...are they at all dangerous?

It's fun exploring new ideas in this new year! xo

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Happy new year lovely lady ..... I hope 2014 is full of fun, laughter, health and happiness for you x PS love the new ripple blanket ... glad I am not the only one who can't stop making them :-)

driftwood said...

such lovely things! hope you keep warm and cosy x

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Lovely spring-birds! That wreath is really lovely idea, I think I might steal it :)

I wish you happy, creative days, and hope you can show the secret-magazine-creations soon too!

Yours,
Mia

Star speckles said...

I love the colours you are using in that ripple blanket, and your birds are so cute! I love the colours throughout your blog really, you have such a good eye!

My Little Home and Garden said...

The little wreath is a like a breath of spring. I refuse to be one who whines about winter; it's a good season to try new indoor pursuits. I attempted to play with watercolours today (oh, my, not a second career, but I enjoyed fiddling) and hold out hope that I can learn to crochet; your work is inspiring, Helen.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Karen

nilda said...

Quanta delicadeza!
De vez em quando venho te visitar
e me encanto sempre.
Tenha um lindo ano novo.
beijoca Nilda

http://meucantin5.blogspot.com.br/

claire said...

i love your teatime theme cross stitch :)

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hi Helen...I love your little bird in the wreath and the colours are gorgeous!
Your blanket is looking so pretty too...this lovely post is making me dream of the spring to come but in the meantime keep warm and cosy...it's been a cold dark day here today!
Hope you're having a great week,
Susan x

Dreamer Girl said...

Wow, your things are so pretty. I love cross stitch and will be designing something for my mum that I will be making later this year.

Unknown said...

Helen your photographs and the colours of your wonderful creations are mouth watering. No wonder I cannot wait for your posts to arrive, you continue to inspire and educate me Helen and I cannot wait for your posts this year. Hope the weather has settled for you, rainy and cold here. Have a great weekend and lots of love to you as always
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,
the birdie flower wreath decoration looks so beautiful! I love the colous and buttons you used. Have a nice weekend. Nicolexxx

Annie Cholewa said...

Your blog is always like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day Helen, or like walking into a colourful, cheery room and not wanting to leave :)

gillyflower said...

Such sweet bird hangers, so pretty Helen!
Everything here is so pretty and spring-like, especially the pretty ripple blanket.
Thanks for sharing!
Gill xx

koralee said...

Well good day my friend....I have just done a perfect post for you as I read your post...flowers! A must in our homes. I adore your cushion ....what a cheerful delight to have that in your home...I would smile everytime I see it. I adore your little bird hanger...hugs to you for a very very creative day. xoxo

Pat said...

Hello Helen, just spotted your lovely blog via Sweetpea Family..
such sweet colours; really chatty and cheery; I look forward to following Helen Philipps in 2014!
Happy New Year xx
Pat ~ sunshineandasewingbasket.blogspot.com

alejandra said...

Amazing colors full of joy, spring spirit always in you, love all your photos, and ideas,
congratulations on your new books,