Monday 18 May 2015

Apple Blossom

 We enjoyed our first picnic of this year a couple of weekends ago, on a sunny saturday.......
...............we went to one of our favourite old houses where the gardens are a delight to visit.....
 .............and you can picnic in the orchard amongst the sweetest apple blossom......
 ..............i took my newly completed pam kitty picnic quilt, which i mentioned here recently....(i found some partly made blocks which i'd forgotten about, so i joined them all together and quilted them simply by hand)..........love the little printed squares in bright colours for the backing fabric from sunrise studio....
 .................for the binding i chose a kona cotton solid in a fresh spring green............
 .............after our picnic we took our little dog molly on a wonderful country walk before we visited the formal gardens and she had a little nap.............i will share some pictures of the gorgeous gardens in another post.......
 ................the lanes were thick with wildflowers and blossom............
 ..............the gentle landscape with lush grass and clouds of cow parsley all around us..............
 ................and then back to the apple blossom..........we look forward to returning here in the autumn for the apple festival too..............
 ...................at home, when daisy visits, she often plays with the honeybake kitchen........
 ................and we have tea parties and picnics with the bunnies..............here is little strawberry taking tea today..............
 ..............besides making some new and exciting projects for a magazine commission this week, i am adding a few more squares to my crochet blanket..........and i'm also still making more of those pretty pink patchwork stars that i showed you last time of course.....i do love this crafty life :)..............
 ...............i love to have plenty of projects on the go, small quick ones that are satisfying to finish and long running large ones too that you can pick up and just do a bit of now and then.......
.................thank you for dropping by to see me here, lovely readers, and thank you for taking the time to leave me your sweet comments too....especially when life is so busy, i do appreciate them :)......thank you too for all your kind comments about my forthcoming book....i look forward to sharing more about it with you soon........wishing you a wonderful week, with blue skies, sweet blossoms and plenty of  happy, crafty times...............back soon xxxxxoooooooxxxxxxxxxxx
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43 comments:

  1. Mickie18 May 2015 at 13:57

    Helen,
    What a beautiful post! I love your picnic quilt. I can't find Pam Kitty fabric here, I must look on line. The colors are so crisp and bright, and I love all the prints and designs.
    Thank you for sharing all your lovely crafts.
    Mickie, Indiana,USA

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  2. Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods18 May 2015 at 14:11

    You make the most beautiful things ~ and in a wink of an eye! Glad you enjoyed your picnic! Would you believe it's still snowing here? Come on warmer weather! :)
    Have a lovely day,
    Lin

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  3. justpootling18 May 2015 at 14:19

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Helen - I love your little bloggy corner. Have a great week Kate xx

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  4. KC'sCourt!18 May 2015 at 14:23

    Pretty quilt and garden, what are you crocheting?
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  5. Ali18 May 2015 at 14:28

    So very pretty!!! xxx

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  6. Janet18 May 2015 at 14:58

    So lovely. I wish the weather would improve so I can plan a picnic.

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  7. Things and Thoughts18 May 2015 at 15:05

    What a delightful pic nic amongst the apple blossoms! Such an idylic outing Helen! Your quilt is so eye candy and I like your new crochet project. I want to start something too...
    Hugs
    Olympia

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  8. Jane18 May 2015 at 15:14

    What a lovely picnic you had Helen, the blossom is so pretty. Enjoy your tea parties with Daisy, I can't wait until my Daisy is old enough to do that week. Enjoy your crochet, I agree there is so much to do in this crafty life, never a dull minute. Have a great week xx

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  9. Eight by Six18 May 2015 at 15:20

    Beautiful photos Helen, very British, I love it. We are off for a picnic on Friday .... at Chelsea Flower Show, so exited

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  10. Sigrun18 May 2015 at 16:13

    Oh, you had a good time at a picnic, wonderful. I love your quilt with the heart in the middle, cute.

    Sigrun

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  11. scrappyjacky18 May 2015 at 16:23

    How wonderful to have such a lovely picnic quilt.
    We had out first BBQ of the year on Saturday.

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  12. Christine B18 May 2015 at 16:51

    What beautiful photographs you always share with us Helen! Lovely.... makes me want to go and have a picnic right away! Have a lovely week! :) x

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  13. Simone18 May 2015 at 17:31

    I love all your crafty makes Helen. x

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  14. Marta18 May 2015 at 18:35

    Bellissimi posti e foto. Belle le tue coperte. Ciao

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  15. Jennifer Hays18 May 2015 at 19:42

    What a beautiful place for a walk and picnic. Your quilt is so pretty and cheerful. I loved seeing your apple blossoms because we didn't have many this year; it seems to be an "off" year for fruit trees where I live. Hope you have a good week, Helen.

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  16. Erna18 May 2015 at 20:05

    Bright and shiny as always..
    Hugs
    Erna x

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  17. cynthia lee designs18 May 2015 at 20:34

    What a beautiful place to have a picnic!! Love the quilt and the pretty afghan you are making.
    ~Cindy

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  18. flowers on my table18 May 2015 at 21:16

    Hello Helen, what an absolute tonic it is to be back here in your little corner. Your picnic looks so pretty with your quilt and lovely little flask. Congratulations on your new book, I shall be ordering that! I love your pink and white quilt it is so fresh and clean looking.Hoping all is well with you and your family. Lots of love, Linda xx

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  19. Brenda Pruitt18 May 2015 at 21:52

    As I was reading this, it occurred to me that I don't think I've ever come here that I haven't seen bountiful color.
    Brenda

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  20. mynestofyarnandbuttons18 May 2015 at 22:22

    Beautiful job on the picnic quilt, Helen. The binding is the perfect accent for that pop of color. And it's already in use! Beautiful spot for a picnic, in deed. I love having tea parties with my little girls too, so much fun for them, as well as Nannie! Loving your crocheted blanket, the pattern is great, can't wait to make from your new book.
    Enjoy the week, xoRobin

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  21. Pat's Patch18 May 2015 at 22:33

    Hello Helen. With such changeable weather at the moment it is lovely to see your sunny apple blossom post and charming picnic with bunny. Your quilt and crochet blanket are beautiful. Love Pat x

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  22. Susan18 May 2015 at 23:06

    I love your first photo of the apple blossom. I can almost smell it from here in the States. ;) I am happy to say that there are many trees in bloom around where I recently moved and I'm so enjoying them. Thank you for sharing such lovely pictures and words with us. They are such a treat. I always look forward to Monday's. Doesn't that sound odd. Lol.

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  23. Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage18 May 2015 at 23:57

    Wonderful post as always! I love your picnic quilt and that bright green binding.... love all of the pinks in your crochet pieces.... makes my heart sing.... and am envious of those pink and white apple blossoms... nothing much here in central Oregon in the way of flowers or color. I thank YOU for sharing your bright sunny colors with us!

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  24. 20 North Ora19 May 2015 at 01:43

    Your Apple blossoms are gorgeous! Love your picnic quilt - precious. Your handwork is always so bright and cheerful! Always brings a smile to my face.

    Judy

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  25. Carla19 May 2015 at 04:34

    I think apple blossoms are among the prettiest. Can't even imagine how jam packed with eye candy your book is going to be ; )

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  26. Teresa Kasner19 May 2015 at 05:10

    I love how you've painted your life in pretty pastel colors.. your grandkids must love coming to visit you with all that fun and pretty stuff to play with. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  27. Ingrid Orens19 May 2015 at 06:12

    Love your picnic quilt - that heart in the middle is so sweet !
    So looking forward to see your book.....

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  28. driftwood19 May 2015 at 06:55

    oh how I wish it would warm up enough here for picnics. we may have to resort the ever popular carpet picnic if it doesn't stop raining soon x

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  29. Frances19 May 2015 at 15:19

    Helen, apple blossom time looks like perfect picnic time! Those blossoms are amongst my favorites...actually might just be my favorites.

    That quilt added even more joy and beauty to the landscape.

    I do know what you mean about having a variety of projects on the go. It's energizing to skip from project to project.

    Somehow, I forgot to congratulate you on completing yet another book. It's bound to be splendid! xo

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  30. Elderberry-Rob19 May 2015 at 17:56

    That's the prettiest picnic I have ever seen! Hope there will be many more this Summer, I would love to have one myself!

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  31. Susan Freeman19 May 2015 at 21:08

    You never fail to charm me. Now if only I could find a stack of unfinished quilt blocks like you did. I get a smile on my face just wandering over to visit you.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  32. Rhona20 May 2015 at 12:02

    What a beautiful picnic quilt, and the green binding is perfect!
    Happy tea parties!

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  33. flowers on my table20 May 2015 at 14:16

    Hello Helen. thank you for the visit and kins words. Yes I was inspired by the freshness I always see here to have a little facelift. Have a happy week, love Linda x

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  34. Viola21 May 2015 at 15:24

    Dear Helen, your picnic blanket looks gorgeous, just the right blanket for taking outdoors. It is so nice at this time of year to take a walk outside, isn't it? I do appreciate the daily walks with our dog very much, as well. And I love your crochet blanket, the colourful circles shine when joined with white yarn, really lovely. Best wishes, Viola

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  35. Ladybird Diaries21 May 2015 at 18:38

    I loved this post Helen...so much prettiness and inspiration. I adore your new quilt and your crochet blanket is looking fabulous...I always adore the colour combinations you use, they are so fresh and pretty.
    Marianne x
    Ps. Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog x

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  36. Robbienae21 May 2015 at 20:09

    Thanks for all the lovely photos of my favorite things, flowers, quilts, and crochet. Your Pam Kitty Quilt is darling and the spring green binding works so well with all the designs.

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  37. greenrabbitdesigns21 May 2015 at 20:42

    Just catching up with you Helen after my holiday and of course everything is a delight. Beautiful crochet and blossom and the most adorable bunny picnic! :)
    Happy weekend,
    v x

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  38. cristina22 May 2015 at 14:42

    Hi, helen! your little strawberry is so sweet! your new blanket too! i'm happy to see you like always, with your lovely photos and your lovely crafts... many thanks for sharing all this... you make happy my day!

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  39. Sharon22 May 2015 at 14:57

    such lovely photos. The quilt is so pretty and springlike. x

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  40. Madelief22 May 2015 at 19:49

    Dear Helen,

    Congratulations on your book! Such exciting news!

    Your picknick in the orchard sounds delightful! The girls and I enjoy outings like this as well. Hopefully we will have many of them when visiting the UK in July.

    Wishing you a lovely weekend!

    Madelief x

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  41. vintage grey23 May 2015 at 17:37

    So beautiful there and such a lovely day for a picnic! Love your sweet PKM quilt!! The sweetest! Happy weekend to you! xo Heather

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  42. Sam I Am......23 May 2015 at 23:27

    Helen, I am so sorry I haven't been over here in awhile. My home and projects are just a little overwhelming right now.
    I can't wait to sit back with a glass of sun tea and wander through your beautiful blog catching up on all your awesome projects!
    The apple blossoms are so gorgeous and what a lovely countryside you live in.
    I'm so happy when I see your projects....your lovely Pam Kitty picnic blanket and your crochet squares and did you say a new book? I am all ears! Your granny squares are so lovely...I'm doing some plain ones right now but it's easy for me when I'm tired at the end of the day. Here I go now...catching up with all your posts!

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  43. handmade by amalia25 May 2015 at 03:14

    I can almost catch the scent of apple blossoms, what a wonderful place for a picnic.
    Amalia
    xo

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Thank you for your lovely words...I so enjoy your comments and read them all.