Monday 4 April 2016

Little Butterfly

 Although i love making quilts, i also love making smaller patchwork projects too........a lot of the work i do for books and magazines involves creating smaller makes like this little pincushion......
 ..............this little butterfly pincushion was inspired by two projects from my latest book called  *modern vintage gifts*...........the strawberry pincushion is shown below........
 ..........and the butterfly gift tag set, one of which is shown here...........
 .............i paper pieced the shoofly block for the front of the pincushion using sweet pam kitty garden and lecien fabrics from my scraps, as well as some kona cotton in white............

 ...............have i told you before that i just LoVe english paper piecing?.....i really do!........
 ...........using a very pale grey cotton to sew the patches together seems to make a neat look to the seams.......
 ..............for the back of my new pincushion i fussy cut this pretty butterfly from one of my favourite lakehouse fabrics............
 ...............the applique butterfly uses bondaweb to secure the two sides so it can look pretty when flapping its wings...........i pinned the butterfly in place to check it looked just right before attaching it securely with a dab of glue...........
 ...............the butterfly applique shape is inspiring me now to make something else too....another project will be coming soon :)..........this week's little cakes have these flowery flags decorating them.......
 ...............these were inexpensive paper flags from a home shop.........
 ................i also found some colourful sprinkles in a supermarket which were not inexpensive but i just loved the mixture of colours.............
................thank you for visiting me here in my little crafty place dear readers....it is always a pleasure to see you and to read your lovely comments too............wishing you a wonderful week with happy crafty sunshiny days..................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

50 comments:

handmade by amalia said...

My favorite quote - "As everyone knows, if the first butterfly you see is yellow the summer will be a happy one." I wonder what the rule is about pink.
Amalia
xo

KC'sCourt! said...

Gorgeous butterfly pin cushion
Julie xxxxx

Annerose said...

Schön das Nadelkissen mit dem Schmetterling, so richtig frühlingshaft.Toll.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Kate said...

Your butterfly pincushion is beautiful! I am very attracted to the butterfly. :)

greenrabbitdesigns said...

So pretty Helen, I love the little butterfly!
Don't you just love the beautiful little inexpensive bits and pieces that can be picked up in some shops now, it always feels like finding treasure. :)
Happy new week,
V x

Rhona said...

What an adorable little pincushion! Love it :)

Jane said...

Hi Helen, this is so pretty..the flapping butterfly is just perfect. Have a lovely week xx

Stange and ich said...

ohhh how cute, so beautiful springlike.
the colors are great !!!!
sunny greetings
Antje

Cindy said...

What a sweet little pincushion! I love the butterfly. Thank you for sharing and have a great week!

Susan said...

Such a cute pincushion, Helen. I have all those fabrics too. I just love those fabric lines. And I have said a million times before, I am so happy to know there is someone else out there that will paper piece a small project that most will do on their machine. I am looking forward to seeing your butterfly project. Have a wonderful week. :) P.s. I look forward to your blog posts.

PamKittyMorning said...

So cute Helen!

Frances said...

Helen, your photographs and description of how you added the pale grey patches to your butterfly pincushion echo what I experiment with color-wise in doing my fair isle. It is always so interesting to suddenly find a perfect, if sometimes surprising, color that will complete a friendly harmony.

The butterfly additions are adorable and definitely send a happy springtime message.

Best wishes! xo

Unknown said...

Everything you make is just so precious and pretty. Love the butterfly, I haven't seen one yet but I'm waiting ... I kind of think the pincushion idea could be made into a pillow - how fun to have a butterfly alight on the den sofa ;)

Mary

Betty said...

I adore pin cushions and the little patchwork one is so cute.

Simone said...

The butterfly makes such an attractive addition to the pin cushion. It looks like it just landed there! Have a great week Helen. x

Jacky H said...

Hi l love English paper piecing it is so relaxing.
Another lovely blog its a pleasure to read. I look forward to it every Monday..
Jacky

Amy at love made my home said...

Your pincushion is absolutely adorable without the butterfly, but with it, oh gosh! Sends it over the top lovely!!!! So incredibly cute!!! You are so talented Helen! xx

Karen said...

Very pretty. Some of my favorite fabrics.

Ali said...

So pretty as always xxx

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, you make the cutest things!
Brenda

Mickie said...

Helen,
Such a cute pincushion! I have made many pincushions and love the idea of adding a butterfly to them. I just bought a new butterfly bush in hopes of having more of the beautiful little creatures in my garden this year. The label says the flowers will be pink, lavender and white. Can't wait to see them in bloom.
Thank you for sharing such a sweet post today.
Mickie, Indiana USA

crazydazy said...

The butterfly is soooo pretty.

Christine B said...

What a wonderful pincushion and the butterfly makes it so spring-like and pretty! Hope you have a lovely week Helen! Christine x

Elderberry-Rob said...

That's a very pretty little butterfly pin cushion. I can imagine this would be something a lot of young girls would enjoy making too.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Ahhhhh so lovely....and once again I am awed by your talent!!!!

Evelyne said...

The pincushion is absolutely beautiful! The little butterfly is very Spring! Amazing as always!!

Have a nice week,
Evelyne

Gracie Saylor said...

Dear Helen, Thanks so much for this post. I have been pondering what little project I could make for friends. You have reminded me to consult my copy of MVG for inspiration! Soon after I got my copy I made a heart for Teresa using your pattern and instruction....now perhaps it is time for me to try making something with a butterfly....or maybe a strawberry....or..... Wishing you a happy creative week, xx

cristina said...

Helen! I love your new pincushion!!!!! as always, very cute!!!!!!! I love fabrics and pattern. I love all your works of patchwork and crochet.
Have a nice day! a big hug from Catalonia!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your designs are so charming! I love your little pincushion with its sweet butterfly!

Teresa Kasner said...

I enjoyed seeing you put together the tiny quilt square. I really want to learn to do that and you inspire me. I have your books.. just love them. What fun cupcakes, too! You're amazing! I continue to love working on the Flowers in the Snow crochet.. which you also inspired me to do! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Oooo it's just all sorts mink and pretty! I think I need more pink and pretty in my life!

Cream Linen said...

The butterfly is just beautiful!!
I love the colours of all your makes!
Tina xxx

Unknown said...

I sometimes think the smallest projects are the nicest and that is defiantly right in this case I just love your pin cushion patchwork such pretty use of colours and patterns and the butterfly is a beautiful touch. Sweet flags for those sweet cakes to. Enjoy your week Helen, dee xx

driftwood said...

your sewing is just adorable Helen, but today is the cakes I'm smiling at most x so cute xxx

Pat's Patch said...

Love your book Helen, and your small design makes. The butterfly addition to your patch pincushion is charming. xxx

Madelief said...

Sweet little projects in pretty colours Helen. Your photo's always make me wish I had more time.....

Madelief x

Lorrie said...

Your projects are so pretty and fresh looking. I love pin cushions and could have a stack of them.

Gabri millecrocette said...

Really nice your pincushion and funny butterfly!!Have happy spring day!!

gillyflower said...

Sweet pincushion Helen, and those cup cakes look very pretty with those cute floral flags!
Have a great weekend!
Gill xx

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Helen,

I always love seeing your cute makes! This pincushion is really cute, and the butterfly makes it extra special.

It's all about enjoying the little things!

Ingrid xx
Myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Your work is always full of charm and cheer!
Have a Very Happy April!

Lee said...

Absolutely Beautiful creations,I Love Butterflies they are soooo pretty.I would love to have a go at EPP,maybe when I retire from the dog walking for good I will have the time hee hee.Do hope you and the family have a lovely weekend Helen.Hugs xx

Sum of their Stories said...

So sweet, I've not done any proper paper piecing for years, I'm itching to have a go again now!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Always such pretty fabrics and lovely projects. Happy weekend wishes!

Diana Stitching said...

What a lovely pincushion, and it sent me scurrying to find my copy of Modern Vintage Gifts - I'd forgotten about the little butterfly!

Such beautiful colours as usual.

Teje said...

Hi Helen and happy Sunday morning! This cute post I had missed but fortunately saw at Julia Crossland. I guess my reader is too full. Butterflies are so sweet and perfect for a little pincushion! I enjoy also epp and I'm looking for to do that more during the summer. My Mrs. Mouse if finally sleeping in her bed under her little quilt! x Teje

FlashinScissors said...

Such beautiful photographs! I love the colours you use, and your butterfly is so sweet. Such a lovely post!
Barbara xx

Shwetablog said...

ni

Stins said...

What a beautiful happy post... You always manage to make everything so bright and colourful! Lots of love from Mirjam.

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

Brilliant idea about the butterfly and such a pretty touch to a pincushion. I wish we could get those flags and sprinkles here. I'll have to search around as I love your little decorations you have.