Monday 1 September 2014

Lavender Hearts

 As summer nears its end and autumn is in the air i've been cutting lavender to dry to make little lavender hearts and sachets with.............i love the floral scent and the delicate shades of this plant...
............these gorgeous softly coloured fabrics have inspired my making........they are from the sausalito cottage collection by holly holderman for lakehouse dry goods and i think they are some of my favourite designs............
 ............as well as making lavender hearts i made some simple lavender sachets too.......the fabric is perfect for these......if you don't grow lavender yourself you can buy it online (which i also do)....i need a LoT of lavender..................i bought the soap below in the south of france............it is not actually lavender scented but i love the look of it here........


 ..............collecting decorative bottles, soaps and scents is something i love to do and have always done, to inspire design ideas and to just look pretty around my home, studio and now to photograph to share with my blog friends :)...............i love the floral fragrances too, especially when winter arrives and i can't pop out to the garden to pick a scented posy (though i do have lots of bowls of bulbs around the house in the winter time instead)....................
 ................three little lavender hearts.........now i have got over the initial 'cutting into' of these sweet fabrics i can get on with using them in a new patchwork design.................
...............i had a tidy up in my studio this week......only a quick one and i need to do a lot more, but i came across this cute little bag of wooden letters in my scrapbooking supplies cupboard.......
                                            ...............so i had a little play with them.............
 ................i have cut most of the lavender that i want to dry now and tied it into bunches and hung it up in the linen cupboard to dry............the linen cupboard was one of the things i was excited about when we moved here as it is a walk in one, with the original shelves which i imagined neatly stacked with linen and dotted with lavender bags.....it was like that for a while soon after we moved in but does tend to get filled up with storing other things now and then..............
 ...............i love all kinds of lavender..............below is some dried sea lavender from france......
                               ................and a traditional lavender in a cloche from our garden.................
 ...............another picture from our garden below..............i love the lavender here with the white daises and the beehive which is really a composter..........
 .................i am working on a lot of new projects at the moment, with several magazine commissions to complete so i will be cutting and sewing for the rest of today..........the weather has turned autumnal here but we are told the summer is coming back again later this week :).............the grandchildren go back to school tomorrow, in fact daisy starts school for the first time.......sigh.... (afternoons only for the first week).......how fast the time goes...............
 ..............i have lots of plans and projects for the autumn............i love the variety of seasons we have here in the uk and the pleasures that we enjoy with each one.............of course, making quilts is perfect for autumn and hand quilting is an ideal wintertime pursuit..............i'll be doing lots.......
..............thank you for visiting me here today dear readers, it is lovely to see you and i do appreciate your kind comments.........it is always a treat to hear from my blog friends and to find new bloggers too...........wishing you all a happy september wherever you may be.........back soon xxxxxxxxxxx 

54 comments:

Things and Thoughts said...

What a fragrant post Helen!And your fabrics are always so special!You make things precious with your good taste and inexhaustible energy.I also love the variety of seasons, I'm so happy for it!
A warm hug from me
Olympia

scrappyjacky said...

I love lavender as well...the hearts are lovely....such gorgeous fabric.

Ella and Nesta said...

I thought I could smell the lavender while I was reading your post! How strange, it must be your beautiful photos...

Miss said...

It is amazing how the French touch is so well done by English world.
French ( I was born in France) have the lavender, the savon de Marseille and lot of good products, but when it is used by English people it is always beautiful.
The hearts are gorgeous and it gives a romantic touch that I like.
The details.... for my part I like to put them in every door at home.
Miss.

Margaret said...

I love the fabric and the lavender hearts. Nice to use as present for special people.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I love the scent of lavender and I really love those pretty fabrics!
There are always lots of lovely soaps to buy in France. :)
Best wishes to Daisy for her first day at school!
V x

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! I love lavender too! One of my very favourite scents!! It is fascinating how many different varieties there are too! Lovely post! :) x

CRAFTY VIDEOS TIPS said...

your hearth are lovely your gallery is just very nice .graphics are very nice . your website it just super. best of luck . do come visit me some time. that goes to everybody who see this. WE.HOBBIESANDCRAFTS.NET. and please sign my guestbook at the bottom of my webpage to let me know you came to see me do send your very good friends ( thank you )

Ingrid Orens said...

Lucky you !
Lavender here in Belgium bloomed so quickly this year... when I wanted to cut my yearly portion for drying, I realized I was already much too late...
Lovely fabrics you've used to make those cute hearts !!

Simone said...

Lovely soft colours Helen. Your displays are very inspiring with the soaps and scent bottles. Very pretty. I do love lavender and the dried French sea Lavender looks very pretty too. x

Elderberry-Rob said...

How beautiful your lavender bags are - I have been making some too ... isn't it a lovely homely thing to be doing and they make such beautiful gifts. Betty

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh Helen, a visit to your blog is like a balm to my spirits. I love your colors and can just smell fresh lavender. There is a grower up the road from us who sells in a roadside shade canopy.. we might need to drive up there! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

justpootling said...

Oh Helen, I can smell them from here ! So pretty and such a lovely reminder of summer to keep you going until this time next year,
Kate x

cristina said...

These bags are a delight! I feel like the scent of lavender arrive to my home! You make always ​​beautiful projects! I think you've had some very pleasant hours! is a beauty! I wish her ​​well dry bouquets, good luck!
Kisses from Catalonia!

Samantha Roberts said...

Hello Helen, I so love lavender too - the scent, the colour and the flowers both of the traditional and the french. It's my favourite to see on embroidery, although I have never done any myself (will have to now!)
Your patchwork looks very pretty, have fun with your commissions, Sam xx

Ali said...

Such a pretty post x

Lorrie said...

Lovely fabrics to combine with lavender. Prettiness all around.

Jane said...

I love the scent and colour of lavender. ...it's so relaxing too. Thanks for a restful sweet post today Helen. How incredible that we're in September already I hope your darling Daisy enjoys school. Hugs xx

Wilfing Mum said...

I've been cutting & drying some lavender too - we have it growing along our pathway to our front door & it gets a bit bushy making it tricky to get up the path. This is the first year I've attempted to dry some of the cuttings, and I hope to make some pretty little hearts and sachets with it to give as Christmas gifts. Thanks for the inspiration! Beautiful photos as always. Love the little wooden letters too.

SUSSEXMOUSE said...

Your hearts are so pretty and feminine Helen. My Sister gave me a small Lavender Cushion. It lost it's scent very quickly. I cut it open to find it was full of Wheat and only about 5% Lavender! It is definately best to make your own as you have. Marion x

Mickie said...

Helen,
I do not have a blog, but I do follow several, yours being one of my favorites. I look forward to reading your new posts each week. I am also a lover of lavender as I have several plants in my garden. All your creations are an inspiration to me, especially your colorful patchwork quilts and pillows.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Mickie, Indiana, USA

Gracie Saylor said...

It is only since moving to Oregon seven years ago that I began appreciating lavender, actually grew a plant and visited a lavender farm. You are making lovely things with your lavender, Helen.
Happy new school year :-) xx

Cindy said...

I love lavender too and had to replant mine that I lost last winter. Luckily, I have a lot of dried from previous years to make into sachets. Your hearts are so pretty - love that fabric!

20 North Ora said...

I didn't realize that there were so many kinds of lavender. They are all so beautiful. I love that line of fabric you are using. So pretty and soft!!

Judy

Sigrun said...

Lovely hearts - and such a wonderful fabric. I never find some,when I look for. This weekend I baught lavendersoap for a friend, she like it.

Sigrun

vintage grey said...

Beautiful lavender hearts and those fabrics are so sweet!! I am sure they smell so wonderful! I love lavender! Enjoy your week Helen! xo Heather

Crafted by Carly said...

Mmmmmmm!!! I can practically smell all that lovely lavender from here! :-)
Carly
x

Amy at love made my home said...

So much lovely lavender goodness!!! xx

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen,
schön dein Lavendel-Post. Ich mag ihn auch sehr gerne und deine Kisschen und Säckchen sind wunderschön. Ich freue mich schon was du alles neues machen wirst. Die Stoffe sind herrlich.
Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Spätsommer. Wir hier in Deutschland nennen ihn "Altweibersommer"
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Gillian said...

You make such beautiful lavender hearts.

Viola said...

Your lavender hearts are lovely. Today I bought a big bag of lavender blossoms as well, because we have a problem with clothes moths at the moment. I hope that the lavender scent will drive them off. But I will sew simple sachets, no hearts, I'm not a very skilled sewer. Have a nice sunny day, Viola

Rhona said...

Ahhh...the smell of real lavender! One of my favourite scents. Love your little hearts, the fabric is gorgeous.

Jennifer Hays said...

Oh, I love lavender so much. I have a big plant right outside my front door and I love walking out to smell it, especially after a rain. Your bags are so sweet, I am sure they will be a lovely addition to a closet or a drawer, maybe for underthings or nightgowns.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

I love those fabrics! Thank you for another lovely post

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, Lovely fragrant post today and so beautifully put together and arranged! The word "Lavender" really just says it all both in color and scent! Happy September to you all and I hope Daisy has a happy School experience : )
xoRobin

Unknown said...

Oh what gorgeous hearts Helen! I love fabric hearts. I have come across some of the Lakehouse fabrics before and these new ones are so lovely. I love the way your use so much French style-I adore French lavender and soaps too! It sounds like a busy Autumn for you -hope little Daisy enjoys her new adventures at school, she will be brimming to tell you all about it!
Alison xx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Ah - your lavender hearts are just so pretty, Helen, as are all of your photos. I love the scent of lavender and at the moment have some lavender essential oil on a tissue that I'm breathing in. Lovely...

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The dried sea lavender sure is pretty. I don't think I've ever seen that before. And your hearts are precious. You are always doing beautiful projects. Enjoy your week! Hugs!

Lori ann said...

every bit just gorgeous helen! i really need some lavender fabric, soap and oils (dried blooms too) in my life now, i always feel so inspired after visiting you! have a wonderful week ahead!
xoxo lori

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

I can smell the lavender from here.....beautiful! :) xxx

Frances said...

Helen, I think that those fabrics are ideal for lavender sachets. Ideal!

Lavender is one of my favorite scents. I always keep driet lavender in the apartment...easy to find it at the farmers market..either freshly picked in season, or dried.

Best wishes, xo

Ellie Foster said...

Dear Helen
I have had to buy the fabric you featured here - it is so pretty (but then you always feature lovely fabrics!)
Have a good rest of the week.
Best wishes
Ellie

Jane said...

I love your pretty lavender hearts Helen, I bet they smell divine! Enjoy the rest of your week.
Jane x

Madelief said...

Your lavender hearts and sachets look lovely Helen. Such pretty pastel colours. Enjoy the last few days of summer! It's sunny and warm in Rotterdam as well. Perfect weather for gardening!

Happy evening!

Madelief x

Ladybird Diaries said...

I love lavender too, such a soft calming scent. I love your lavender hearts and really enjoyed this pretty post.
Marianne x

My Little Home and Garden said...

I'm fond of lavender as well, Helen, and your sachets would make lovely little gifts, perhaps to tuck inside a pillowcase to promote sweet dreams.

Karen

susie said...

Your lavender hearts and sachets are delightful & I enjoyed this post. Happy September!

koralee said...

Oh how lovely my friend...these hearts must be divine with that lavender scent. My Lavender got away on me this year and was over before I could harvest it. So happy to come by for a visit...I have missed you and blogging. I love seeing what all my sweet friends are up to. Take care and HAPPY September to you.

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

The fabric is perfect for what you're doing and I wrote it down as I have been looking for fabrics with text on them. Perfect and I think I love everything that comes out of Lakehouse Goods. I love lavender but have never been able to grow it. I may do so me research and order some as I think the stores here sell the "not hardy" kind. I do know where to order some though also.
Little Daisy off to school? Ahh...time does go quickly...all my grandchldren are in school now too...no more babies.
I like the letters and you so such a lovely job on your "photo shoots". Have a great week!

Sigrun said...

Helen, your neadelwork is beautiful, blanket and rabbit! So colourful.
I love lavender soap, and baught some in France for my friend.
Have a nice time!

Sigrun

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, what a joy this post was. You really had fun with those letters! I too love lavender and am planning on making some wreaths with mine. I sometimes make lavender shortbread too, which is rather nice.Your new fabric is wonderful, I love the lettering and the colours.You really are making me want to do some quilting.We have had a week of glorious weather here. Hoping you have a relaxing weekend, and that Daisy is enjoying school. Love Linda x

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Lovely lavender-post! I love the scent of it, and your little hearts look so pretty - and they will make any room smell divine!

Wishing you a happy autumn!

Yours,
Mia

sky-blu-pink said...

Mmmm , love lavender! And that Marseille soap. I know what you mean about cutting into new fabric, I often lose courage and just keep it to look at ...!

Unknown said...

I love lavender as well...the hearts are lovely....such gorgeous fabric.
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