Friday 1 August 2014

Sea and Stars

 We are busy packing our bags here ready to go off to the seaside tomorrow for our annual trip to the sunny isle of angelsey where my husband will be sailing in the menai straits regatta again..............
 .............so i thought i would just pop in and write a quick post before we go, as i will be taking a little blog break next week...........i will take my ipad with me though, and if i can get a signal (often tricky due to the welsh mountains) i will still be able to visit some of your lovely blogs.......
 ................i am showing some of the starry greengate cups today as they were on my mantelpiece and they seemed to fit well with the star patchwork pillow i wanted to show you too........
 ..............i sewed this big patchwork star block a while ago, around the time i was making my smaller stars quilt..........i found the pattern for it in an old quilting book, and i made it into a pillow more recently............i haven't made such big paper pieced blocks before, the ones i make are generally small and very fiddly, so this was quite a change for me and i rather liked it.............
 ...............i have made one more big star and now need to decide if i should carry on and make lots more for a quilt....or stop and turn it into another cushion?.........
 ................the red and blue star reminded me of these little windmill cake toppers...........
                                  .............so i had a search to find my pictures of them.............
 ...............my grandchildren loved them because they really work and twirl round nicely......
                              ..............sweet strawberries also matching the summery colours..............
 ...............and i wanted to show you the crochet i've been doing........this is the big granny square for the back of the latest flowery cushion...........i haven't managed to finish it before we go away, so will take it with me and finish it at the seaside.............
 ..............below is a photo of our sitting room mantelpiece and i am showing it because the painting above it is of where we are going (if you click on it you can see it much bigger)............it shows the little seaside town of beaumaris as you approach it, with the pretty pastel houses and the peaceful sweep of the sea and shore...............the painting is called gallows point and is by janet bell...............i bought it for my hb as a surprise a couple of years ago.............
.................thank you so much for dropping in to see me here in my little blog space, lovely readers, and thank you too for the lovely comments you leave me, they are such a treat to read..........wishing you a wonderful summer week, with sunny days and happy crafty times.........back soon xxxxxxxxx

50 comments:

Angela M - Garden Tea Cakes and Me said...

Love all the colours in your patchwork cushion, bright and cheery.

Angela - Garden Tea Cakes and Me

KC'sCourt! said...

Have a wonderful holiday. Love he cushions and the windmill cake toppers.
The crochet is very pretty, I just love Janet Bell pictures, they always remind me of childhood days on the beach
Julie xxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

I love your starry cushion Helen, the big stars would make a beautiful quilt.
The back of your crochet cushion is very pretty too.
What a lovely painting of a very lovely place...enjoy your time there! :)
V x

moonstruckcreations said...

We used to go to Angelsey when I was little, lovely place. Hope you have a great time, and that the regatta is a great success!

Helenxx

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Wishing you a lovely holiday in Angelsy and your husband good luck in the regatta!

Madelief x

20 North Ora said...

Helen - Love that pop of bright blue in your work. So pretty. Enjoy your vacation, I love that painting over your mantle.

Travel safe.

Judy

scrappyjacky said...

Have a wonderful holiday....it looks such a lovely place.

Crafty in the Med said...

have a wonderful holiday Helen. It sounds like a delightful place to go to ...very steeped in history as I recall. I will be looking forward to what inspiration you'll bring back with you to delight us in your next post.

Enjoy!

Amanda x

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Happy Holidays! I wish you the most lovely, sunny days by the sea, and the best of luck with regatta! Welcome back with many new ideas and inspiration soon!

Happy weekend!

Yours,
Mia

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh Helen.. I wish I was going too! Especially I'd love to sail there. What about sewing that star onto a big canvas tote bag and use it to carry your crochet project? Have fun and bring back lots of stories and photos to share.. :-) I'm off for our camping trip in 3 days.. and I'll bring back things to share too.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Jane said...

Enjoy your holiday Helen and good luck to your Hb. Your new patchwork is fab and I would turn your new one into another cushion....but that's just me! I'm loving that granny square, such great colours. "See"you soon and I hope the sun shines lots xx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, I wish you wonderful holidays in that beautiful sea coast place! Your photos are sweet and beautiful as always! That pillow with big star is fantastic and the crochet looks adoarble - it will make lovely pillow! x Teje

Hazel said...

Beautiful posts with beautiful colours! Enjoy your trip. X

forgetmenotsblue said...

Have a wonderful time in beaumaris you lucky thing. I knew what the painting was of before I read it, looks really like it.
Your crochet looks great. x

cristina said...

The next crochet pillow will be beautiful! I want to see it very soon! hahahaha!
I wish you a great summer and have great holidays!
Thank you for participating in the Giveaway
Kisses from Catalonia!

Ingrid Orens said...

Have a wonderful holiday !! I hope you'll have great weather (with enough wind for the sailing hubby !) !

Cindy said...

Have a great time on your getaway! It looks like a perfect place to relax. Your stars are4 so pretty. I've never done EPP with large pieces either.
Take care, Cindy

Joy said...

Oh I just love everything you've shared with us, thank you so much Helen. Your stars are all wonderful and I do love the little windmills and the artist's style of painting too, it's a beautiful work! Have a wonderful time and all the best to your hubby:) xoJoy

koralee said...

I am here finally and you are going! Have a great time...a well needed rest is always a welcome. I am loving your little star cups...love the red and the blue.Thank you for visiting me and leaving me a sweet comment about my new grandson...we are in love. Hugs to you my sweet friend...happy summer!

Sigrun said...

I wish you a very good time on Anglesey, we know this place from several times of holiday well! And a lot of wind for the sailing for your husband!

Sigrun

Gracie Saylor said...

Not only do I enjoy seeing more of your lovely work, Helen, but I enjoy seeing more of Janet's as well. Several years ago I purchased a set of her cards and have managed to be unselfish enough to share a few, but it is hard to part with any :) It is fun to imagine you and yours enjoying the location in the painting you purchased for your husband. I hope you have a truly delightful time! xx

Ladybird Diaries said...

Another gorgeous post, I do love the pretty stars and gorgeous colours in this one. Wishing you a fantastic holiday!
Marianne x

driftwood said...

hope you have a truly lovely holiday Helen, and I'm loving all your stars. I'm making a star quilt but it's very slow going..........

A little happy place said...

Have a lovely getaway....your patchwork is lovely, like you I always tend to do small EPP maybe I'll give a bigger one a go! Sarah xo

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Have a wonderful vacation and Good Sailing! The pinwheels are adorable, summery and fun.

Unknown said...

It would be so tempting to make a quilt of stars, one motif is lovely but I'd be wanting to make more! The crochet is so pretty, and I love the painting, what a wonderful keepsake! Enjoy your holiday! Chrissie x

Unknown said...

Happy Sailing and enjoy the seaside. Lovely mugs and painting, Helen.

Happiest August....
Anne and all xx
PlumCreek22 Studio

My Little Home and Garden said...

Based on the painting, I can imagine you'll have a wonderful holiday in such a beautiful location. A little crochet work by the sea sounds like a splendid way to spend some of your time.

Enjoy yourself.

Karen

Unknown said...

What wonderful bright and cheery summertime colours Helen! I love your star patchwork and adore those little windmills. I remember being fascinated by them as a child-those and the little sand castle flags on cocktail sticks were always a treat to have on the beach. A beautiful mantle piece as well. Hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday xx

Unknown said...

It looks absolutely charming and I hope you have a fantastic summer break!!! Holding thumbs for a great result in the regatta!!!!!
Love
AMarie xxx

lilac and old roses said...

Enjoy your holiday! Anglesey is my absolute favourite place, we've been going nearly every year for the last thirty years and know it so well. The Menai Straits are just stunning, have a great time x

Annerose said...

Ein wunderschönes Kissen, liebe Helen. Ich wünsche Dir ganz viel Spaß auf der Insel und sonnige Tage.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

DianeM said...

Enjoy your week away :) Wishing you blue skies & fair winds :)
Smiles, DianeM

Jennifer Hays said...

Your patchwork is so beautiful. I hope you're having a lovely break. Take care, enjoy and see you soon.

Amy at love made my home said...

I hope that you have a wonderful time away and that your husband enjoys the sailing. xx

Pat's Patch said...

Such a lovely starry cushion and I like your crochet too. Enjoy your break - the painting is idyllic.

Simone said...

I love the star patchwork pillow. Have a lovely break Helen.x

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, I am a little late to your post, but I hope your husband had fun in the Regatta, and that you had a lovely leisurely time in Beau Maris. I remember when I stayed there in a hotel in the main street, the noise of the boats and masts bobbing around in the water, kept me awake all night. It is a beautiful spot though, and I hope you have a lovely time.
I am loving everything starry in your photos, and think you should make a starry quilt! Much love to you, Linda xx

Pat said...

Oh I love the little painting Helen, have a wonderful holiday Pat x

angelasweby said...

What a lovely painting of your holiday destination. No wonder you are looking forward to it. I do hope this amazing weather continues.
I'm sure you have packed lots of things to fill any time left after swimming, sunbathing and beach combing :-)

Enjoy your holidays.

Christine B said...

I have just been enjoying a few days away by the seaside... I hope you enjoy your trip too!! Christine xx

vintage grey said...

Oh, I love your beautiful star pillow! So sweet and inspiring! Wishing you a lovely seaside summer week!! xo Heather

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

That sounds like such a wonderful place to have a vacation! I love the painting, beautiful seashore!! Your piecing is so pretty in a pillow and your crochet is gorgeous as always!!

sky-blu-pink said...

Have a super holiday, all the best to Mr Philipps for the sailing, and come back with lots of nautical inspiration!

Viola said...

Your holiday week is almost over but I would like to leave a short comment. Your pictures are beautiful! When I looked at them I could have packed my suitcase to spend some days somewhere at the ocean. And I do appreciate your crochet work very much. I'm quite new in blogland and as I pave my way through other people's blogs I do discover more and more wonderful crochet projects I would love to try as well. But your work is outstanding. Thanks a lot for sharing it with us. Hope you have a pleasant return back home. Viola

Татьяна said...

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Debbie said...

Wow, yet more gorgeous stuff! Those starry patterns are really something, and they look so great in the fabrics you have chosen :)
I bought myself a sewing machine to have a go at learning some of these skills, but I can't use it until we have emigrated and unpacked our stuff when it arrives. I feel impatient to have a go at those stars soon though!
Enjoy Wales, best country on earth :)

Debbie x

Sam I Am...... said...

I love the painting and it reminds me a little of Port Wen from the Doc Martin show. Do you watch that? It's a BBC production but we get it here on PBS...along with so many of my favorite British shows and mysteries. I'm certain there are many quaint and lovely seaside villages.
The pinwheels are darling and I can now follow your inspiration to the beautiful star on your pillow. I wish I cold just sit and sew and craft all day but alas it seems I can't keep up with my house or cooking or anything else so I do that first and then later when I'm usually too tired to do much I find a little time. I am trying to make it more of a priority and of course when Winter comes and my workload doesn't include the outdoor maintenance maybe I'll see more progress. I have so many WIPs!
I love your pillow back....is it all popcorn stitch or does it just look that way? Very pretty the way you used the same colors but in a different way for the backing. As usual I love your posts!

Kristyne said...

Hi Helen! I know we never talk, but you need to know that I still - and always will - heart you. Honestly. Your work, talent, designs and blog are such delights. :) xo k

Unknown said...

We used to go to Angelsey when I was little, lovely place. Hope you have a great time, and that the regatta is a great success!

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