Monday 29 September 2014

Violette

 When we were on holiday in france this summer i decided that i would make a little bunny with a french feel as a souvenir of our trip..........in the past i have often stitched samplers on trips to france and italy, but this time it was to be a bunny................
 .............i cut out the bunny from kona cotton fabric in pearl pink, but couldn't decide what to use from my stash for the ear linings and dress..........until my order of sausalito cottage fabrics came and then i knew just what i wanted to use.............you may remember i sewed some lavender hearts from these sweet fabrics a few posts ago...............btw, the bunny pattern is from my book pretty patchwork gifts here.....
 ...............soon violette the bunny was completed and she brightens up my sewing room, sitting with the little cushion i made with one of my favourite fabrics from the range..............the violet sweets tin above is one my mother brought back for me from one of her trips to france a few years ago.............
 .............besides finishing off the little french bunny i have been sewing lots of hexagons for another project............i love how they all look together before they are even sewn into a pattern................
                                        .............spread out..............or stacked up.................
..............each day i have been super busy writing my new book, making projects for it.......and minding molly the puppy too :)................in the evenings i have been catching up with crochet....
 .............working on the sweet pea ripple blanket for daisy............when she comes to my house daisy sometimes checks the progress of this (rather slow) blanket to see how big it is.......hurry up, nanny :)
 .............i have been longing to bake something apart from pies and crumbles, and last week i took a bit of time to make some madeleines in my tin from france.............i found a recipe online and soon made the little cakes..............
                                    ..............they are best eaten soon after baking :)..............
               ..............with a nice cup of tea or maybe a milky coffee in a big cup...............
 ..............this month the magazines i work for are all about christmas and making gifts and festive decorations..............below is the christmas memories book i made for this month's crafts beautiful magazine...............i took a picture of it on my crafty desk first.............
 ..............and then one of it completed........ready to be filled with notes, photos, souvenirs of this year's christmas and with plenty of room for future christmas memories to be added too........find out more on the crafts beautiful website here.................
 .............the autumn has really arrived here now, with cool sharp morning air and the evenings drawing in.........time to light the fire again and the candles, to cosy up and look forward to the slow changes of the season and all the pleasures it brings..............
.............thank you for visiting me here, lovely readers, and for your sweet comments too............it is always lovely to hear from dear blog friends and new readers, and to visit you in return........... wishing you a happy week with sunny days and crafty inspirations............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxx

58 comments:

Christine B said...

Dear Helen what a beautiful post full of lovely photographs of all the wonderful things you make!! I love your Violette bunny and the Christmas Memories Journal looks wonderful!! Another magazine I will have to look out for! Have a lovely week!! Christine x

scrappyjacky said...

So much loveliness!!
I saw your journal in the magazine and loved it then.
Violette is a cute and perfect French souvenir.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Ah thank you Helen, just what I need this rather grey morning when I'm suffering from post French sunshine blues!!
A perfect combination, France and a bunny, Violette is soooo pretty, I love her dress, the fabric is perfect! :)
A cup of tea and a madeleine.....lovely!
Happy new week,
V x

KC'sCourt! said...

Violette is gorgeous. My mum used to Madeleines, I have her tin, think I'll go and find a recipe and make some!
Julie xxxxxxx

crazydazy said...

your bunny is so cute - what a lovely souvenir

Amy at love made my home said...

Bunny is a lovely memento from your trip. The madeleine's look delicious too, another great memento too!! xx

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Helen!
My, you have been busy! What lovely makes all round! :)
Violette is gorgeous, she has real character, yet a timeless nostalgic feel to her!

Isn't it great how something tangible like this can evoke happy times and memories? (I guess the same goes for your madeleines!)

I love the glimpse of your ripple blanket, such pretty shades!

Good luck with working on your many projects!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Betty said...

You are too much. I read this post this morning and could not help to say wow to everything. I love the cute rabbit and the baking pan is so cute and than the book you made. You have started my Monday morning off good. Thank you.

Cindy said...

I love your sweet Violtte. She is so pretty. I also like you Christmas memories book. I love crafting with paper and this looks like a fun project! Have a great week!

SUSSEXMOUSE said...

Violetta is sooo cute Helen. Lovely fabrics and she has such a sweet face. Marion x

justpootling said...

Violette is so beautiful Helen, and always there to remind you of happy holidays,
Kate x

Silvia said...

Cute and lovely!!!!!!! And these madelaines... ummmmmmmmmm

sopadecalabaza.blogspot.com

Ingrid Orens said...

Violette looks like a real lovely lady ;-) ! And she is wearing a gorgeous little dress !

homemade@myplace said...

bright and yummy post !!!!!! ;oD
xxxxxx Ale

Jane said...

Such a sweet bunny Helen..I am sure she is great company and does not disagree too much ;0) You have lots of lovely projects on the go...I am sure you are probably onto next spring and Christmas is done and dusted. Have a lovely week xx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Sweet Helen, My you are a busy bee, French bunny Violette, crocheting, hexes, new book, madeleines and to top it off a new Puppy!! Life is full and beautiful for you! Couldn't happen to a nicer blogger friend, xoRobin

Unknown said...

Hi Helen,

Love the bunny, my daugther would want one straight away, and such a good way to remember your France trip.
The Madelaines look so yummy.
Have a great dayxx
http://michellemakeandbake.blogspot.co.uk

Lucie said...

Comme elle est mignonne! So cute!

Jennifer Hays said...

What a lovely post, Helen. Violette is beautiful. The colors and fabrics you chose are so perfect together and she looks very sweet. I have always wanted to try making madeleines. Yours came out so pretty. Thanks for sharing these happy moments. I hope you have a great week.

Ali said...

So pretty as always xxx

Elderberry-Rob said...

The little bunny is very pretty, you always have so much work going on all at once! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the hexagons. Betty

Cream Linen said...

Thank you for the lovely photographs of your pretty creations you share with us. They are always very inspiring and a pleasure to look at. Good luck with your book and all your projects.
Have a lovely week.
Tina

lilac and old roses said...

I made madeleines three times last week! Once for my daughters 21st birthday tea, once for our Macmillan coffee morning at work and once just for my husband! I love the bunny, Jane x

Unknown said...

Oh I'm enamored with Violette! She is simply darling! And how well she fits into your home, with those pretty hexies, the beautiful pastel crochet ripples...your life is gorgeously coloured, dear Helen! Chrissie x

driftwood said...

what a cute bunny. I have my grans madeline tins, I must try making some x

Unknown said...

Ah Violette que tu es belle! I just love your rabbit Helen and the way you have dressed and displayed her. Your photos are always so gorgeous and uplifting! What a beautiful design for the Christmas memory book too!
Alison xx

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Helen! Oh, love your Violette! I sewed a light brown bunny named Maggie Maria who would love to have a tea party with your Violette. Wouldn't that be fun? Have a super week ahead! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

Dear Helen, I love your Christmas Memories book and Violette! When I was Young, I used to make many kind of note/craft books. Bunny is still on my list ... Have a lovely week! x Teje

Lori ann said...

completely delightful Helen! love your sweet bunny, a perfect memory keeper. and the Madeline's so yummy, I love the tin too, it's so pretty I think I would keep it out! love the little candy canes on your book, what a (other) lovely thing you've made!

i hope you enjoy all the wonders of this new season!
xoxo Lori

cristina said...

The muffin look delicious !!!!!
His blanket of waves too!
And their rabbits are the most beautiful in the world!
You can do so many things beautiful, Helen!
Have a nice day!
Kisses from Catalonia!

Samantha Roberts said...

Violette is a sweetie in her pretty dress and I always love to see a stack of hexies too!
Helen you really do have a dream job - but well deserved, you design some really lovely things. Thanks for sharing, Sam xx

Frances said...

Helen, maybe you remember that I do have a copy of your wonderful Pretty Patchwork Gifts book, and seeing Violette in her lovely frock and floral ears reminds me of my creeping laziness.

I have yet to do any sewing...beautiful hexy patch-worthy fabric has been in my possession for many months, but I just keep on with my knitting. Sewing and crocheting gets set to the side.

My local Barnes & Noble shop has just put issue 220 of The World of Cross Stitching on sale. I promise to keep an eye out for number 221.

You've also encouraged me to get my own vintage French madeleine tin down from a top shelf and made some of those delicate, delicious cookies.

Helen, somehow I do need to find more hours in the day, days in the week, and so forth.

xo

Brenda Pruitt said...

It has the sweetest like face! You make so many adorable things.
Brenda

Baa. xxx said...

Violette is adorable!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Hi Helen, I get so excited when I see you have a post! I love your pictures and of course your projects. What a great idea for a Christmas memory book. The time goes so fast it will be nice to have a remembrance of it. Hexies, never can I see too many pictures of them.,
Oh, your bunny! Too cute for words. What a lucky bunny to live with you. Thank you for your post.

Carla said...

She is delightful and I adore the hexies too

A little happy place said...

She is beautiful and I love those hexies!!

moonstruckcreations said...

Such a sweet bunny, I love the colour of her dress. For some reason your post made me think of Parma Violet sweets!

I recently acquired a Madeleine tin, have yet to use it, you have inspired me to have a go as they look so yummy!

Helenxx

Crafted by Carly said...

She's just gorgeous, Helen - and I love the name you gave her! :-)
The new book project sounds VERY exciting.....
Carly
x

Gillian said...

What a lovely bunny! I'm sure Daisy can't wait for her blankt to be finished. It's looking lovely.

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen,
das ist wieder ein süßes Häschen, ich bin begeistert und deine Äpfel aus dem letzten Post finde ich auch sehr schön und die Stoffe genau passend.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

Miss said...

I love Madeleine. Great memories from when I was young.
Last time I went in France, I bought the same think to do Madeleine at home. Such a feminine tea moment.
Violet is beautiful. Like born in Provence.
Miss.

Viola said...

Violette is such a cute bunny andshe looks gorgeous sitting on your crochet blanket. And your madeleines.... We've been to France this summer, as well but I forgot to buy a tin for myself. Your madeleines just look so delicious.
Have a nice evening, Viola

vintage grey said...

Violette is absolutely darling and so sweet! Love her pretty dress and ears! So cute!! Oh, madeleines are so yummy!! Enjoy your week Helen! xo Heather

Anonymous said...

Lovely - what a busy lady you are! Violets was the Fragonard scent I bought in Paris and I have that tin too!! No surprise there ;) Claire x

Sigrun said...

Lovely - your french bunny! And you have a tin from France, I love Madeleines, I buy often some when I'm in Elsass.

Sigrun

Bee Lady said...

Helen, you have just inspired me so much my mind is reeling! Thank you for sharing your creativeness!

I have seen a lot of Christmas magazines out there!

Cindy Bee

Madelief said...

Violette looks enchanting Helen and Madeleines are always a good idea. We enjoy baking them too!

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

My Little Home and Garden said...

Violette is as lovely as her name, Helen. I confess to being a bit distracted by your baking, however . . .

Karen

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

Oh! She is just precious! I love those fabrics and I also love your blanket you're making.
BTW....you won a giveaway over at Art & Sand! I couldn't wish it on a nicer person! She'll probably email you but just in case I wanted to let you know.

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Violette is so pretty Helen...I love her colours! So funny too that Daisy checks the progress of your crochet blanket when she visits.
The Christmas Memories book is beautiful and best wishes for all those projects you will be working on for your new book...it will be wonderful!
Happy Weekend,
Susan x

Simone said...

Violette is so pretty. I can imagine that she smells of parma violets! Beautiful sewing crafts and papercrafting too! x

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Violette is so pretty, I love that sweet lavender dress! And as Christmas-lover that book is just fantastic, thank you for the lovely idea!

Wishing you a wonderful October!

Yours,
Mia

Anonymous said...

Dear Helen ,its always a joy to pop in here. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer? I love Violette She s very special :) have a lovely week ahead,best wishes julie.xxx

koralee said...

Everytime I visit you I get so inspired. Little Violette is beyond adorable...I just took a peek at your last post too and those apples really make me smile. Yes..Christmas is just around the corner...I hope it does not sneak up on me like it does every year. Hugs and Happy October to you my sweet friend. xo

Annie Cholewa said...

Violette is so sweet, the thought that it's not long before the coming Christmas will be a memory less so. Where did the year go?!

gillyflower said...

So many lovely things! Violette is very sweet, and seeing your madeleines reminds me to have a go at making some too - I finally tracked down a vintage tin a while back and have a book with a few madeleine recipes to try.
Have fun preparing your new book!
Gill xx

Unknown said...

Ah thank you Helen, just what I need this rather grey morning when I'm suffering from post French sunshine blues!!
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