Tuesday 13 May 2014

Spring Colours

 Between the sunshine and the showers this past week i have been in and out of the garden..........
 .............one rainy chilly afternoon after i'd been working on the computer for hours my eye fell on an old decorative white-painted birdhouse standing on my studio window sill and i suddenly knew what i would use the latest  saved selvedge strips for.......
,
 ................i went down to the kitchen and spread newspaper on the table and painted the little bird house with my sky blue paint.........i did take a picture of it being painted, but hadn't checked the headline on the newspaper it was standing on which showed prominently in the photo and was most unsuitable ;-).............i had a cup of tea and when the paint had dried i used mod podge to stick the strips to the birdhouse roof............
 ...............i like my new spring birdhouse with its pretty stripy roof.............if you are inspired to craft with selvedge strips do let me know, i'd love to see what you make :).................
 ..............in the garden all is green, flowery and often soaking wet and covered in raindrops............
 .............the garden notebook is in use again and i am often adding new notes, including suggestions and ideas..........i love seeing other bloggers' gardens and flowers........and it was another blogger who inspired me to buy the adorable bodum cafetiere below..........
 ...............thank you to vanessa at the beautiful blog coco rose diaries who showed this to us..........
 ............i love it so much just to look at that i haven't actually put any coffee in it yet..........
 ...........when i wasn't working or gardening between the showers this week i have been crocheting rosie's blanket.....she was home this weekend and she loves it..............
 ...............and making a little bag for daisy's birthday which is on the last day of may...............
...............and adding some churn dash blocks to my new quilt collection............here is one and some pieces which will be the second, hopefully after tonight.............
 .........i picked the first roses from our garden this week, these are old varieties which were already growing here when we moved in.........the previous owners were keen and creative gardeners and they planted some beautiful things including lots of lovely old, highly scented roses............
 ..............i am going to do some more work in a moment, then i might have a little bit of spare time to potter in the potting shed............i should also do some spring cleaning and some sorting out of cupboards during the next rainy day...........
................thank you for visiting my little bit of blogland today, dear readers...........i am always so happy to see you here and thank you too for leaving me such kind comments..........wishing you a happy week with flowers, sunshine and some crafty times too....................back soon xxxxxxxxxxx

48 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

What a lovely Springtime post....I'm trying to be out in my garden as much as possible....but the weather is not really being accommodating at the moment!!
I love how you've decorated the birdhouse....so pretty.

Wilfing Mum said...

I do enjoy your posts Helen with all your beautiful photos. I have been following you for a little while now and you inspired me to make a little doll's quilt for my niece's birthday using paper-piecing and scraps of pretty fabric I've been hoarding. Thankyou!

justpootling said...

Scrummy post as always Helen ♥
Have a great day,
Kate x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

The little birdhouse is gorgeous Helen and such a clever use of the selvedge strips.
Love the crochet blanket too, just beautiful!
I think old roses are definitely the best, not always perfect but pretty and fragrant!
Have a good week,
V xxx
P.S. Your lovely Patchwork Gifts book arrived here yesterday, I love it, one step closer to a quilt! ;)

Cindy said...

Love the little birdhouse! It is so sweet with the new roof. The blanket and quilt square are so pretty. As always I come away from your blog very inspired. But I have to go to work this morning:( Have a great day!

Joy said...

Ah your pretty gentle post Helen, I just love all of it; from the sweet little birdhouse through to Rosie's blanket and that exquisite rose - which I can almost catch the scent of here - and that very attractive quilt block. Thank you for sharing your many delights, and do keep enjoying your beautiful spring! Joy xo

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Absolutely a beautiful post dear Helen! You do so inspire me! Another super idea to spruce up a birdhouse, love that Mod Podge! Your flowers are in full swing and so fragrant looking : ) Rosie's blanket is so pretty, I bet she will use it lovingly and often. One last comment, I spied that coffee cafetiere also on coco rose diaries and fell in love too. I did not purchase but thought about it!!! I bet it will make fabulous coffee.
Take care dear Helen, xoRobin

Chrysalis said...

Lots of lovely cheerful goodies here today, Helen. Thanks for sharing. You're birdhouse has inspired me to tackle the lamp base I've been meaning to start for ages. Hugs, Chris x

my4lilgirls said...

The absolute cutest birdhouse ever.
Love the blanket too, sweet colours, so inspired
Have a lovely day
Karen x

Simone said...

Sweet little birdhouse. I was thinking that maybe it could be used as a money box? Just drop the money in the hole at the front! I love the coffee maker it looks so summery. Have a lovely week Helen.x

blog da cidoleta said...

Amei essa casinha ! E quanta cor e beleza . Um show esse blog bjs.

Amy at love made my home said...

You have been very busy Helen! So many lovely things. It is so annoying when you do something like your painting photo and set it up, frame it, shoot it and then realise that you cannot use it! Oh well, you still had lots of yummy pics. Hope that this week is just as good for you. xx

Ingrid Orens said...

Thanks for the super tip for "pimping" litte bird houses ! I have a lot of washi tape, for which I didn't find any nice use (besides sticking photos on a wall...), now it will finally be put to good use !

homemade@myplace said...

lovely birdhouse!!!!!
xxxxxx Ale

Jennifer Hays said...

Such a pretty post, Helen. The birdhouse looks beautiful with the selvedge-strips roof. I think this is such a lovely idea. All of your work is beautiful, and Rosie's blanket is coming along so nicely. Have a great week. :)

Lorrie said...

A post filled with loveliness. The selvedge roof on the birdhouse is charming, as is Rosie's blanket. Lots of pretty projects going on in your world.

Ali said...

Sooo pretty as always xxx

Lori ann said...

good morning helen! oh that is so funny about the papers headlines, backgrounds in photographs are so important aren't they? LOVE your birdhouse and the little bird you show in the pictures, so so clever and cute! and your new coffee carafe! how pretty! just looking at it makes me smile too! i love your crocheted blanket (is rosie your girl?), beautiful spring colors, and the little bag (my birthday is the last day of may too!). and the quilt, first roses, and your 'pick of the day' vase, LOVE LOVE LOVE.
enjoy your time in the garden and always, crafting!

Frances said...

Helen, it's looking very springtime-y around your place! Thank you also for the link over to Coco Rose.

Can you believe I've never yet used Mod Podge? I still have the notes you wrote me about glue guns. I've yet to find time to explore any of these "sticky" techniques, but continue to be inspired to do so.

xo

20 North Ora said...

You are definitely in Spring full mode! Love your little birdhouse with it's striped roof. How ingenious to use all of those pieces! So cute.

Have a great day!

Judy

Jane said...

It's such a lovely time of the year isn't it Helen. Your photos are just stunning...great colours, Enjoy your spring cleaning ;0) x

Christine B said...

What a fabulous idea to use the rest of you selvedges to decorate your bird house. It looks wonderful! Love hearing all about your garden too and seeing your lovely flowers. Thank you!! Another beautiful post! xxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! I want to do always everything you show! Now I just need a little, cute bird House! So many ideas how to decorate it! and I have just perfect little bird for it. Thank you again for enjoyable post! x Teje

Pink Milk said...

I'm now dying to know what the newspaper headlines said!!!

What a clever use of selvedge strips - I always throw them away, eep!

I absolutely love the look of Rosie's blanket - so pretty.

As ever, a truly lovely post Helen.

Heather x

Unknown said...

What a clever use for selvedge strips! Because of you I'm saving *all* of mine now, and not just the pieces with little dots...I love the crochet blanket, just today my youngest was looking at her big sister's granny stripe that I made a few years ago and asked for her own! Looks like I'll be joining you in crocheting for the little ones...enjoy your week, lovely Helen, hope the sun shines a bit more for our gardening! Chrissie x

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

That birdhouse is adorable! I had never seen selvedge strips used before until I saw them on your blog, and I just recently received a quilt square as part of a friendship quilt exchange I'm participating in, and it is done with selvedge strips! I love it. I am so inspired to create something using those strips - I will definitely let you know when that happens. :o)

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen.. I am always happy to see your blog pop up to the top of my list! I really enjoy the colors you surround yourself with. I did a whole series of birdhouses similar to yours with painted decor, such as ivy and such. They are fun decorations.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Debbie said...

Your crafting is so beautiful, I adore your colours so much! (I think I probably said the same thing last time I commented! sorry!)

I loved that cafetiere when I saw it too...

I also can't get over how busy you are! So productive!! I have much to learn ;)

Debbie xx

A little happy place said...

Hi Helen....how funny I have been playing with selvedges this week, there are some really gorgeous ones!! Love your little vase with pick of the day on it...too cute! And that cafetiere almost makes me want to have a coffee...although I only like it in cake! xo

PamKittyMorning said...

i have the coffee press too! i couldnt resist it. i havent used it either, to cute for that!

Pat Hayes said...

Another lovely post of fresh spring coloured crafts and flowers. I love it all, especially like that the your pretty birdhouse id photographed on top of your beautiful Home Sweet Home Quilt, and have shown some of the top quilting. All your work is wonderful! Love Pat x

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful post again! Your birdhouse looks so pretty and lovely, what a great idea! And your crochet blanket has such wonderful colors!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen!!
You are brilliant!! That birdhouse is adorable and is now on my list of cute things to make!!
Enjoy all the celebrations and wish you lots of sunshine!!
xoxo

liniecat said...

Smile inviting words and uplifting colourful photos!
Thank you!
Its brought brightness to my otherwise disheartening day lol
: )

Gracie Saylor said...

Ahhh, you have plucked roses already, Helen! My Joseph's Coat is just now producing buds. When I think of roses I remember the heavenly scent from my elderly friend, Marge's garden of old-fashioned roses. Ahhhhhhhh :) Wishing happy days to you and yours.

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Oh, the bird house is adorable!! I am loving Rosie's blanket! So sweet! Those pink roses are so pretty! Wishing you a lovely and creative week! xo Heather

Mia said...

Beautiful pink-filled post, Helen,

That bird-house is the cutest! And another great use for those fabrics!

And that coffee-makes...My absolute favorite!

Have a sunny Thursday!

Yours,
Mia

marmarel said...

Lovely creations, pretty colors!!
Greetings from Marijke

serendipity said...

What a lovely post.That pink and white rose is so beautiful. The single ones have an old fashioned charm about them.

sky-blu-pink said...

Such a jolly post, and so colourful too. Love the little bird houses

Poppy Black said...

I love bird houses, and yours are so sweet! I love the fabrics you have used for the churn dash block. My Mr Kitten would love a crocheted blanket in pretty soft colours, I'm sure. I wonder what I will make from your book next??? xxxxx

kun said...

Hello.
I live in Japan,
I founnd your books at Amazon and found your blogs.

I like you blogs very much!
These pictures are so cute!
And I have some your books.
Your blog and books imspired me.

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Helen your blog is so pretty! How cute is that little Bodun cafetiere! :-) we moved frimLancashire to Dirset 12 months ago so I'll count your blog as my little corner of the NW when I am feeling homesick x

Anna said...

Qué colorido más bonito!!!
Anna

My Little Home and Garden said...

That's such a clever use of fabric strips and the birdhouse is adorable. I also enjoyed seeing your flowers, as well as your handiwork, of course. It's always a treat to visit here, Helen!

Have a lovely week.

Karen

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

I am terribly late replying! Your birdhouse looks really nice. If I were a bird I would know which birdhouse to choose in your garden :-)

Lovely flowers from your garden too!

Wishing you a happy week!

Madelief x

Tante Mali said...

Dear Helen,
indeed you have captured the spring!!!! Love your bird hous and have never ever seen a pink Bodum coffee maker! It's fun!
Thank you for sharing.

All my best and sunny days
Elisabeth

Unknown said...

Fresh and happy, what a nice post, love all your photos, thanks for sharing.