Monday 14 July 2014

Sweet Peas and Summer Crafts

 Summer days in the garden means enjoying the flowers after all that preparing and planting in the spring, and especially the sweet peas at the moment..... i have taken pictures of some of ours here this week........i have been pottering in the potting shed too, and arranging my new painted sign there (a much loved birthday present).................
                          .................the scent is intoxicating from this sweet jar...............
 ................i picked up this pretty brochure as part of my ephemera collecting in france, drawn at once to the colour and the subject matter as i scanned a table filled with leaflets........fragonard loves sweet peas and so do we :).................
 ..............and the scent of sweet peas is fragonard's scent of choice for 2014...........
 ................here is one of the three wig wams of sweet peas in our garden, i have planted one in the cutting garden, one next to the beans and one in a big pot next to the kitchen door............
 ..............i now plant ready grown small plants from local nurseries and the greengrocer's rather than growing from seed or buying very expensive ones and find these give good results...........
 ................plenty of blooms to fill all kinds of baskets and containers...............
 ..............my summer crochet project is a new sweet pea ripple blanket for my little daisy dot..........
 ..........she loves sweet pea colours, and when she saw me crocheting auntie rosie's blanket she requested one for herself next :)...............i am so loving having a ripple on the go again, how soothing and pleasing a pattern it is to work...............
 ...............i have almost finished all the designing for the festive season now and this week am moving on to spring in my studio :)..............and i am also planning some portable paper piecing projects for summer stitching while visiting, child caring and going to the seaside.................
 .............a big bunch in a chunky numbered pot...........sweet peas look good in any container......
 ................having a jar full in my sewing room is a must do while i work away there..............
 .................here is my project in this month's crafts beautiful.........a hexie cushion designed for a baby gift, with extra cross stitched embellishments..................find out more here...................
 ................i loved making this using favourite scraps from my stash............and below are some new hexies that i have just made for another summer project...............
..............thank you for popping in here today, lovely readers............so happy to see you and to hear from you too...............wishing you a wonderful week ahead with sunshine, crafty days and some sweet flowers too..................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

45 comments:

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen, super toll die Farben deiner Blumen, ich mag die auch so gerne und sie kommen jedes Jahr ohne große Probleme.
Deine Farben für die Decke sind wunderschön und das Kissen ganz hübsch. Das wird mit Sicherheit viel Freude bereiten.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen, super toll die Farben deiner Blumen, ich mag die auch so gerne und sie kommen jedes Jahr ohne große Probleme.
Deine Farben für die Decke sind wunderschön und das Kissen ganz hübsch. Das wird mit Sicherheit viel Freude bereiten.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Kirsten said...

Hmm, sweet summer colours!

Take care :)

Kirsten

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, Oh, how Sweet are "Sweet peas"! I love them also and I would love to have that fragrance in my home right now! Love your new potting shed sign, lovely gift for sure. The ripple blanket is so sweet peas....ish, love the colors and I think it is so sweet that Daisy wanted one with those colors from her grandmother : ) You know I really think it is way overdue for me to try hexies, I love the look. The baby pillow is so charming and the details are so sweet!
Thanks for sharing Helen, I hope you have a great week also. (do you think I said sweet enough) hahaha
xoRobin

KC'sCourt! said...

I absolutely love sweet peas, I just wish I could grow them. The slugs and snails, seem to like them for their breakfast, lunch and tea
Julie xxxxxxx

moonstruckcreations said...

I love sweet peas, but, like Julie, they always fall prey to slugs. Ah well, will try again next year!

Helenxx

Christine B said...

Dear Helen, loved your blog post today because I just love the colours of sweet peas. The last couple of years I haven't had the opportunity to plant any myself but next year I most definitely going to put some in my garden!! Love your crochet project too and the beautiful cushion. In fact, just loved it all!! Have a lovely week! xx

Lucie said...

Bonjour Helen,
I like the way you present the colors of objects and flowers of your life
Lucie x

Ingrid Orens said...

Your hexies cushion is lovely ! I'm eager to see the next one you're working on !!

Amy at love made my home said...

Your new ripple is beautiful, the colours are so perfectly sweet pea!! xx

Jane said...

Hi Helen, the scent of sweet peas just has to be the scent of summer. I keep saying I will grow them, maybe next year. I grow beans and peas to eat! Your latest ripple blanket is gorgeous, Daisy will love it. Enjoy this wonderful weather xx

Cindy said...

I love those sweet peas and your blanket is a perfect match! The hexie pillow is so sweet, I love how you added cross stitch to it. Have a great week!

forgetmenotsblue said...

Hello Helen.
What beautiful sweet peas! I wish mine would come out and say hello, I don't think there far off now.
The ripple stitch crochet looks lovely! x

Elderberry-Rob said...

All beautiful! sweetpea blanket and flowers, hexie cushion - colour intoxication!

Unknown said...

The colors of your ripple blanket matches the sweet peas perfectly!!! I have just recently mastered the ripple and it certainly is addictive and wonderful!!! Lovely post, Helen!!! as always!!!!
Have a fab fun filled and happy week!!!
Love
AMarie xxx

PamKittyMorning said...

I love sweet peas, the fragrance reminds me of my childhood. They're so pretty and delicate.. the season is long over for usso I'm happy to see them here!

mamasmercantile said...

A beautiful post and some beautiful makes, the ripple blanket is a delight and the cushion divine. Looking forward to seeing what you do next.

Lorrie said...

The scent of sweet peas is intoxicatingly lovely and the flowers so reward to cut for bouquets. The ripple patterned coverlet will be a cozy wrap for your little one when autumn comes around.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love sweet pea colors, too and I love the one fabric with the baby buggy...too cute! You always sew things in happy colors! Hugs, Diane

Jilly said...

I just love the sweet pea ripple blanket - I must learn how to ripple it just looks so lovely.

liniecat said...

Such beautiful colours all round in this delightful post!
My child bridesmaids wore dresses that were floral cotton in sweet pea colours and I've always loved the scent : )

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Sweet peas have just the most amazing scent, I'm enjoying a lovely little posy of them In my kitchen at the moment!
Your post is very sweet pea coloured too, love Daisy's new blanket and your pretty little cushion.
I think I would like to move on to spring next but miss out the bit in between, it would be lovely to just alternate between spring and summer! ;)
Have a lovely week Helen,
V x

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I have never tried to grow sweet peas, but I think I will give it a try next year though because they are so pretty and bright and sweet smelling. I love your potting shed sign, such a wonderful gift for you. I always love your hexies and your pillow very much!! Beautiful post as always!!

driftwood said...

oh how I love sweet peas

Unknown said...

Such gorgeous sweet peas Helen! I do so miss these-they just won't seem to grow here. Love the crochet blanket-the colours are so beautiful. What inspiring pictures and I especially love your French touches! Best wishes Alison xx

vintage grey said...

Such beautiful sweet peas!! I love your ripple blanket and the cute hexie cushion!! So sweet!! Wishing you a lovely summers day Helen!! xo Heather

20 North Ora said...

Helen - As always, your flowers look wonderful and oh, so colorful. I love Sweet Peas and yours are a delight.

Judy

Joy said...

Ah Helen, just add me to the list of lovers of sweet peas and of your beautiful work - the SP ripple blanket is divine as is that little baby cushion …. and everything else on this lovely post! Thank you for sharing it all with us once again, xoJoy

Teresa Kasner said...

Your evocative description of the aroma of sweet peas makes me want to run out to the nearest nursery and buy a bunch of plants! And I just LOVE how you used the flower colors to make a pretty colored ripple blanket for Daisy! What a wonderful grandmother you are! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Sigrun said...

Helen, the cusion is very beautiful! Also I love your wonderful sweetpeas. I do not have one in the garden, no space.

Sigrun

thriftwood said...

Ooh I can smell them from here ... delightful! You've captured the colours perfectly Helen, what a treat! xxx

My Little Home and Garden said...

I'm glad that your little Daisy appreciates your handiwork, Helen. The sweet pea yarn colours are as pretty as the flowers themselves. I planted some this year, but have yet to see any blooms; I am hoping still!

Karen

Anonymous said...

Ahh Fragonard! I LOVE the shop (esp the packaging) They didn't have Sweet Pea scent then but I came back with Violets which I love - I tell my husband once it's run out we're straight on the Eurostar!

Gracie Saylor said...

Thank you for sharing your sweet peas with us, Helen. They are surely one of God's best creations:) I so appreciate your sense of color and design!!! Daisy's ripple is precious as is the pillow you made, and your posts always encourage me to have a happy heart and want to be lovingly creative. xx

Unknown said...

I can smell the sweet peas through the computer screen, I swear I can! :-) Such juicy, gorgeous colours you have there, the epitomy of high summer, the lovely sweet pea! And oh the ripple blanket is going to be wonderful, I love it already! Chrissie x

Jane said...

Hi Helen, I love sweet peas, they are so delicate and the scent divine! You've captured the spirit of them beautifully with your ripple blanket in sweet pea colours. Lovely patchwork cushion too. Have a good week.
Jane x

Simone said...

I love this post Helen. I am not sure what to say without repeating what I say on previous posts! Lovely summer colours and projects and flowers. Inspiring as always! x

sky-blu-pink said...

The sweetpeas' colours are so awesome! And how clever to pick them up perfectly through your ripples and patches!

Ladybird Diaries said...

Oh how I love sweetpeas! Yours are gorgeous and I love that are making a Sweetpea blanket too, it will be beautiful I'm sure of it. Have a great week!
Marianne x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hi dear Helen...Such a pretty post with your gorgeous sweetpeas today(I always look forward to seeing them amongst your summer posts!)
Your ripple blanket for Daisy is looking beautiful and the hexie cushion is a perfect baby gift x
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Susan x

flowers on my table said...

Sweetpea, are just the loveliest little flowers aren't they. I agree with you about buying the young plants. Mine are just beginning to flower now. I love them because they just keep on coming.
Your little patchwork cushion is delightful, and looks so pretty on the garden bench.
I wonder if Daisy will take after you? She is certainly beginning to have a wonderful collection of her grandma's handiwork, that is so special.
Thank you for your comments, yes my hubby did do very well! Have a wonderful weekend, with love, Linda x

Kay said...

I love sweet peas, they always remind me f my gran as she so many in her garden when I was young. The crochet blanket is so pretty too. x

Crafts @ Home said...

I do so love sweet peas, mine are still not flowering, they look very healthy though, must have potted them on too late, I grew some from seed and also bought a few seedlings, both have worked. Your work is as stunning as always, such a delight to revisit this blog again after a break of too long! Suexxx

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Mia said...

Hello Helen,

That baby-gift cushion is adorable, those little embellishments made it just precious! I love the colors too (surprise!), and can't wait to see your next hexie-project completed!

Happy week!

Yours,
Mia