Monday 28 July 2014

Blog Hop

 Today i'm happy to be taking part in the creative blog hop or tour ..........i was invited by brenda at cosy little house...........brenda is a blogger extraordinaire.....she has a powerful way with words, takes great photos, grows beautiful flowers and creates inspiring décor......she is also a great supporter of other bloggers, and often encourages new bloggers on her welcoming posts...........
 i must add here that i was also invited to the blog hop a few weeks ago (but couldn't take part due to holiday plans) by sarah at a little happy place and by marilyn at pink paper cottage......a big thank you to all these ladies for inviting me.............
 ...............now i have to answer four questions..........so here we go..............

1. what am i working on now?

i am making english paper pieced patchwork churndash blocks in dotty fabrics for a quilt......
...........i love epp and love to take projects like this out and about with me over the summer because they are so portable..........as you can see the quilt will have plain white blocks in between the churn dashes and striped sashing..................
 ..............as well as patchwork, i'm working on my latest crochet blanket..........loving these sweetpea coloured ripples very much and this will be coming to the seaside with me very soon..................
 .................another work in progress is this flowery crochet cushion..........and today i will be sewing a project for a magazine (top secret) and working on ideas for a new book................

2. how does my work differ from others in its genre?

this is a difficult question for me to answer, and is maybe for others to decide......i make whatever i feel like making and use the colours and embellishments that i love........
 ................i have been a designer for many years and have been told that i have developed a style that people recognise.................so perhaps that is what differentiates my work from others..........
                                                ..............a bit like handwriting?...........

3. why do i write/create what i do?

because i have always loved to create i studied art and design and after graduating became a freelance designer.............i need to create and design as much as possible....
 ................i have crazes or crushes on different creative things and love to explore them, which has led to working in different areas and industries over my working life, from surface patterns for textiles, china and greetings cards to sewing, patchwork and quilting................
 ...............i work to create for my job but also simply create for the pleasure of it, so my job is my hobby and vice versa...............
 4. how does my writing/creating process work?

i write my blog to share a creative connection with others of like minds..........i take lots of photographs (love doing this), choose ones for my next blog post and then write the words around the pictures................i write my blog spontaneously and don't write posts in advance.............
 .............i have lots of ideas all the time of things i want to make, and creative plans are always simmering at the back of my mind...........i have a work schedule to stick to for my magazine and book design work with deadlines to meet so each day i work on those first...........in between i make whatever i fancy............crochet blankets, patchwork pin cushions, dolls, bears, bunnies, quilts........
 ...........this blend of fresh creating and the flow of ideas from allowing myself to enjoy the making helps inspire my design work all the time..................

.....now i have to pass the baton on to three other bloggers.......i have actually picked four other bloggers and they are:

gillyflower
gill writes about her beautiful sewing and crochet projects, vintage textiles, painting furniture, books, cooking, gardening and the lovely places she finds to visit and to share.

handmade by mia
mia is a crafter and fibre artist from finland who loves knitting and felting and makes unique things for a living......she loves thrifting and recycling materials and her cute needlefelted creatures are very appealing.

paintdrops keep falling
claire is a talented painter and surface pattern designer and her blog is a visual treat, entertaining and varied......we often find we have taken pictures of the same things, have bought the same things and usually like the same things......

messy jesse
jessie loves to sew and she creates beautiful fresh patchworks and quilts and runs her own online quilt shop called sew and quilt with a range of gorgeous hand picked fabrics, threads and english paper pieces..................

.........these lovely bloggers will be posting their blog hops next week beginning august 4 so i hope you will visit them all and say hello :).........................................

..................that is all from my blog hop, dear readers..............i hope you enjoyed it and thank you for dropping in to see me here..............wishing you all a happy and creative week.......back soon xxxxxx 

36 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lovely post Helen, good to hear all about your inspiration, you certainly have a style all of your own! :)
Vx

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! I love blog hops it is such a nice way to get to meet new bloggers that you haven't met before! You certainly have a wonderful style all of your own Helen,one that is enjoyed by many!! Have a lovely week xx

karmen said...

Hola! Me gusta mucho el estilo de sus creaciones, me gustaria saber ¿ hay algun libro suyo traducido al español ? Es que tan dulce todo lo que hace, de cuento de hadas. .. Un cariñoso saludo desde España.

moonstruckcreations said...

Lovely post as ever Helen, I enjoyed reading more about your creative inspirations.

Helenxx

Amy at love made my home said...

Lovely to read more about you and your work Helen. xx

Annerose said...

Schön so was über dich zu erfahren. Ich mag deine Sachen ja unheimlich gerne und freue mich immer wenn es bei dir etwas neues gibt.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

justpootling said...

So lovely to find out a little more about you lovely Helen.
Have a lovely week,
Kate x

faith76 said...

Lovely, thanks for sharing the other blogs which I shall pay a visit xxxx

Gillian said...

A very interesting post. I've been reading your blog for quite a while so it's nice to find out a bit more about you.

Unknown said...

Lovely to read about your work Helen. Your photography is always beautiful and you definitely have a recognisable style! Have a good week, Alison xx

Jane said...

Hi Helen, your gorgeous clean, bright, happy style is very recognizable and I love it. Good to read about your creative process too. Have a lovely week xx

angie said...

wow!!!!! love your work!!! angie

Ingrid Orens said...

Interesting to read - and such gorgeous photos !! It really shows you have studied art and design !

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I loved reading every word and enjoyed your beautiful pictures. Love your churn dash. The stripe fabric is just perfect. Are you going to add something to the white squares?

Mia said...

Hello dear Helen,

What a lovely post of your creative process! Your style is very "you" and your posts always make me smile and brighten a gray day - thank you for blogging (and oh yes, also choosing me to participate in this!)!

Have a lovely July-week, and we'll see next Monday :)

Yours,
Mia

gillyflower said...

It's always fascinating to find out more about the person behind the blog, and especially so when it's someone creative like you Helen! Design is obviously a great part of your life, and I can fully identify with your "need" to create and design!
Thank you for sharing about your design process, and thank you too Helen for passing the baton my way!
Gill xx

Unknown said...

As always, a lovely post!!! Your work has always inspired me and it was nice to find out where your inspiration comes from!!!! Have a happy week!!!
Love
AMarie xxx

Simone said...

Lovely to read more about you Helen. I think your passion for craft certainly shines through in your work. x

By Neymes said...

Lindos projetos,estou apaixonada pelo os seus livros.Feliz semana amiga.Beijo.Valéria.

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

I enjoyed reading more about you! I think you are right about your work being recognisable. It's the colours and patterns that you choose, that make them 'yours'. They are unique!

What a delight it must be that your hobby is your job!

Wishing you a lovely week!

Madelief x

Unknown said...

Hello Helen, Very happy to read this post and to learn more about your crafting and blogging style. Will check out the blogs you picked. (Of course, I already know Mia!!)

Here's to more creating in late July and August.
Anne and all
PlumCreek22 Studio

Anonymous said...

Dear Helen, you wrote lovely post with beautiful photos as usually! I feel that you described very well the way you create and work. You do have your own style, happy, sweet and beautiful and it shows in your Works and in your blog. Hugs! x Teje

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, it was lovely to read a little bit more about you and your work. I only know Gill from Gillyflower, so shall check out the other blogs. Your quilt is fresh and lovely, I love that pattern.
Many thanks for your comments, the aubergine colour is really lovely, I shall be using that again I am sure.
Thank you for checking out Marie's shop, hope you liked it?
Have a fun and productive week Helen, look forward to seeing what you've been doing. With love, Linda x

fernandez said...

Apreciada Helen soy asidua seguidora de su blog, ya que usted me inspira con la creacion de sus proyectos que siempre son innovadores, soy atenta a su tecnica siempre tan prolija, considero que una tiene su propio estilo manualista llamemoslo asi, particularmente admiro el trabajo de mis amigas bloqueras, detallo las tecnicas para mi son tan importantes como el resultado y algunas como usted me inspiran admiracion.
reciba mi cariño
carmendefernandez

Jennifer Hays said...

This was such a nice read, Helen. I really enjoy your work and a visit to your blog is always inspiring and refreshing.

Joy said...

Thank you Helen, it was so nice to hear more about you and your 'ways' and to once more enjoy your lovely pics and projects; your posts are always a delight, thank you! xoJoy

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Helen.. I really enjoyed getting to know you better via your answers.. but I mostly knew all of that as I know you're a fantastic author and designer and I agree that I can identify your work as you use such pretty happy colors. Now I will go check out the blogs you chose. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful way to learn more about you - I have so enjoyed this blog hop! Striped sashing - now there's something I haven't seen before that looks absolutely brilliant! I am finishing my second quilt (I am loving my newest sewing pasttime!) and I would love to try this for a quilt! Your style is definitely clear to us all, bright juicy colours, beautiful designs, and above all, happy! Your work always always has a strong feeling of happiness! Now I can't wait to see that sweetpea ripple and your next secret project! Chrissie x

Anonymous said...

A lovely post and gorgeous pictures as usual - I hope I can do such nice job next week! Claire x

Christine said...

What a wonderful post!!!! I love reading about your thoughts about your style and making things. Your style is so distinct, special, and beautiful. I always love all the treasures from your home that you display with your work. I've missed commenting on your last couple posts but they are all beautiful and I always enjoy reading them.

Sigrun said...

Hi, what interesting things to reed - you have studied art and design!
You are very creativ, I know.

Eight by Six said...

a lovely post full of bright photos that is your own style. Amanda x

A little happy place said...

Lovely to read more about you Helen and thrilled that you have taken part in the Blog Hop! Sarah xo

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, I LOVE the colorful photos! You are always such an inspiration to me.
Brenda

Poppysnest said...

So lovely to read about what makes you tick! Your blog is always visual treat and a place of inspiration for me x

vintage grey said...

A lovely and fun post to read Helen!!You are such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing! xo Heather