On my list of 'things i love' summer flowers and sewing notions would both be quite high up :)....
..............i made some cube shaped pincushions, inspired by the applique baby blocks in my book *
pretty patchwork gifts*..............instead of adding bunny appliques i added sewing themed ribbon and a button or two, and i used some sewing themed japanese fabric as well................
.................i made a big block which is great to stand next to the sewing machine and receive the pins as i work...........you can fill these blocks with walnut shells for a bit of weight and help with pin sharpening, or use polyester filling and maybe add a little dried lavender to it............
................or some dried rose petals...........here is my candy pink rose flowering away at its peak time of the year...........the flowers start off deep sugar pink and as they grow bigger they get paler but still as pretty..................
..................another little cube pincushion............this one has some of my favourite text prints combined with strawberries...............and a little selvedge tag to match the colours.............
..............we have had lots of delicious strawberries this week.......i took some pictures of them before they were gone..............below is my sewing hoop.............i found this pale pink vintage cup and saucer (and a plate too, it was a 'trio') at a local shop recently................
.................i am giving this pincushion to a friend as she admired it :)...................
................this week i am super busy with work commissions, all lovely things to do and i like to take my time over each project and enjoy the making so i am going to be working some very long hours...............
.................one more dish of strawberries and below some of the candy pink roses, slowly losing the petals very prettily onto the table..............
................when i had my pretty little box-making crush a few weeks ago i made this little sewing gift box too but didn't get around to showing it before............the box is a paper mache one which i painted pale blue (two coats) inside and out...............then i decorated the top with these lovely paper sewing embellishments from kaisercrafts...............
................it is just the right size to hold special sewing thread for a stitching friend...........
...............we had some lovely friends here last weekend and one of the treats they brought us was a big bunch of peonies and stocks..............gorgeous scent and colour..............i have moved the vase into my sewing room so i can enjoy it while i work.........
..................thank you for visiting me here, lovely readers, and thank you for all your kind comments, it is such a treat to hear from you............i hope you are having a wonderful week wherever you are and are enjoying some crafty times, flowers and sunshine..............back soon xxxxxxxxxxx
45 comments:
You always give me ideas and inspire me! I have an embroidery hoop...maybe I could make one of those! And I definitely need some cute fabric. I have lots...but it looks dull compared to yours! I blogged about some sewing notions yesterday...my husband bought them for me. I know...I'm spoiled! Hugs!
What a neat idea, those cube shaped pincushions ! So pretty, and ideal for working with leftovers of pretty fabrics ! Plus, very good for those around here like me, it is also feasible to sew by hand (not a sewing machine fan...)
Lovely !
Xxx, Ingrid
Love those cute little block pincushions and all those lovely roses from your garden but my very favourite are those beautiful peonies. They are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them! :) x
Dear Helen, how wonderful are the things you create! I said it before but I really admire you and I'm impressed by all the lovely inventive items you show us!
Such a pleasure to visit you!
A hug from me
Olympia
The cube pin cushions are brilliant. I like the idea of filling them with walnut shells too. The peonies are beautiful and your roses are the prettiest shade of pink!
It's always such a delight to visit here. Always so inspiring and always such a burst of colour. I always leave your blog feeling lifted!
Have a super week!
Vanessa xxx
I do love the word 'notions'!
You keep your corner of the internet so fresh and pretty, Helen.
Your cubes are just lovely. How clever to suggest filling them with walnut shells - I bet I could find a few stray fragments down the back of the sofa left over from Christmas!!! ;-)
Enjoy the sunshine.
Heather x
I needed a "Helen" fix and what a great one! I have been searching for that tape you use as tags...like the "Sewing" one you used above. It's no where to be be found around here and the fabric stores don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about. Is it called "label tape" or "sewing ribbon"..maybe if I knew it's proper name I could find it on the internet. I know some of it looks to be a woven material.
I love your roses and the peonies...both favorites of mine.
I love your little and big pin cushions and I went wild when I saw your sewing box you made! Your paper projects are awesome. I remember your secret garden journal book you made and I still swoon over that. It's all your little "touches" and embellishments that make it all so special. I have to go back and see what I missed. TTYL!
I love your cubes Helen and what a clever idea the walnut shells are!
Such a pretty little rose! :)
I'm sure your home smells wonderful with the scent of stock, it really has the most amazing scent.
The little painted box is gorgeous too, I love that idea.
Have a great week,
V x
Diese Würfel gefallen mir sehr gut und ist eine gute Geschenkidee. Ich liebe die Pfingstrosen, bei mir im Garten blühen sie auch. Doch bei der Hitze die momentan bei uns ist, halten sie leider nicht lange, sie verblühen schnell.
Liebe Grüße Annerose
Love your little square pincushions! Darling and good for travel. Before John retired, I'd travel some with him and I'd always take along a small bit if sewing supplies to work on. These would have been perfect!
Have a wonderful day!
Judy
Love the cubes! You're such a whiz with the sewing machine. The flowers your friends brought over are gorgeous! That last shot of the peony is simply eye candy! Have a super week. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Strawberries and peonies, pincushions and stitching - these are such wonderful little treats. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your week of busyness.
The cube pincushion is adorable! Lucky friend who admired it! Don't overwork yourself Helen. Get out in the sunshine when you can. x
Love your cube pincushions...perfect for using up those scraps of fabric that we never want to throw away! Your flowers are gorgeous!
Your pincushions are adorable, what a lovely gift to give to a friend. You're always making something lovely.
Strawberries, sewing cubes and peonies what a lovely combination Helen. The roses are so pretty too and the smells in your home must be intoxicating! You are a busy lady these days with all your commissions, so happy you can enjoy them though. Good luck getting them all done. Have a great rest of the week, xoRobin
Summer flowers and sewing notions are lovely things to like aren't they! I definitely think that having pretty things around you when you are working inspires you with more ideas and makes working more enjoyable. I am sure that your friend will enjoy your gift! xx
Bits of sewing and wonderful flowers, both a wonderful eyeful.
My first peony bloomed today and I'm looking forward to the dozens of blooms that will follow. If they weren't an ocean between us, I'd bring you another bouquet, Helen!
Karen
Helen, it's been a joy to have this catch up with what you've been creating.
I do love the pincushion cubes, and may have to try to make some myself Of course, I will consult my copy of your book. (My little Janome sewing machine is feeling very neglected, just like my crochet hooks, while I spend so much time knitting.)
Would you include lavender in the same cushion as the walnut shells? Or should I trade scent of lavender for the pin sharpening properties of the walnut shells?
Those peonies are gorgeous...and have another marvelous scent.
xo
Those cube pin cushions are so cute!!! Love your photos of the strawberries too. They are in season here in the US and my hubby eats them like they are candy!
Another wonderful post filled with your gorgeous makes Helen - the little cubes are so sweet and useful and oh! there's another way to utilise the little selvedge strips! I have your books 'Pretty Patchwork Gifts' and ' Sewn Gifts' now so there's no excuse for me not making these - apart from that very elusive quality - time! Strawberries and summer flowers are a lovely bonus. Thank you so much for always sharing such beauty with us, xoJoy
Love the roses and peonies, and the blocks too. All lovely! I just saw your star quilt. It's so pretty! I'm still quilting away on mine. But I love every minute of it:)
so lovely and summery and useful too! i have still not sewn helen, but i have your book and i think about your work and how much you inspire me. it will happen! love your gift of peonies! beautiful!
xox lori
i meant to say the pin cushion blocks are so useful!
I have been meaning to make some your your cute cubes! Now I want to make one as a pincushion. I have the same Kaisercraft scrapbooking bits and pieces too! You have such lovely ideas xxxxx
I love your little sewing box....how perfect for a gift.
I am so enjoying all the flowers in my garden....flowers and strawberries epitomise June for me.
More summer flowers and sewing notions to enjoy - beautiful peonies and inspiring pincushions. Don't work too hard! Love Pat x
Pretty and clever storage - a win-win! The pincushion blocks are lovely, and a clever option for those sweet baby blocks from your book! I have some scraps of sewing-themed fabric from my sewing machine cover, I think they would look jolly lovely as a block! Thank you for the inspiration, and for the perfect pink flowers, too! Chrissie xxx
Sweet pincushion cubes! I like things that are both pretty and useful just like these are.
Gorgeous peonies, such a lovely pink.Love your roses too.
Lovely post Helen, thank you for sharing such prettiness, and hope you get all your commissions finished!
Gill xx
Hi Hellen,the pincushions are really awesome! Lovely idea!The roses and the peonies are gorgeous and have a sweet color.All pics are a beauty to my eyes :)Thanks for sharing.
Hope you have a wonderful day and rest of week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
So much prettiness as always here, I do so love to visit your blog and drool over all your lovely makes & fabulous pics!
xx
Oh Helen, your cubes are gorgeous and such a clever idea - I do love visiting your blog.
Kate x
Love your square pincushion!!! A great idea! Now you are tempting me to make some....
Very pretty things!! I always love the flowers too!!
Three of my most favourite flowers in this post, roses, peonies and stocks. I somehow always imagine you surrounded by blooms Helen.
Such an inspirational post Helen, I love the little pin cushion cubes. Beautiful flowers too - is that a Ballerina rose? I'm enjoying peonies in my garden too at the moment. Enjoy the sunshine and the rest of the week.
Jane x
i always love to visit your blog :)
Sea blessings
Nina
Lovely Helen as always a joy to read your fabulous post. I am trying to make up some little sewing things for one of my little Peeps who is so keen to start sewing (she is 6) so your ideas on this wonderful post have given me so many ideas. Thank you Helen. Sorry for not visiting for a while the old day job has been keeping me very busy! Wonderful to read your blog Helen, always good fun. Big hugs and loves, Dorothyxxxxx
Lovely Helen as always a joy to read your fabulous post. I am trying to make up some little sewing things for one of my little Peeps who is so keen to start sewing (she is 6) so your ideas on this wonderful post have given me so many ideas. Thank you Helen. Sorry for not visiting for a while the old day job has been keeping me very busy! Wonderful to read your blog Helen, always good fun. Big hugs and loves, Dorothyxxxxx
Darling baby block and cute pincushion, and I love the fabrics, especially the strawberry ones!! Such a cute idea!! Beautiful peonies!! Happy weekend to you Helen! xo Heather
Hi Helen your baby block is so cute!!
Gorgeous photos as always x
Hi Helen your baby block is so cute!!
Gorgeous photos as always x
Hello Helen :) Can you believe I do so much sewing etc, and I do not have a pretty pin cushion or needle book AND I love working with felt ... soooooo I really need to get this sad situation sorted soon :) Love your cubes I think I am inspired!!! Pat xx
Hello Helen,
Lovely, sun filled pictures again! And those peonies... Lovely! I wish you wonderful and creative days, and wish that you're just happily but not too busy :)
Yours,
Mia
Oh, these are lovely!
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