Monday 1 August 2016

Into the Blue

 Maybe this post should be called still into the blue..........when my blue and white checkerboard quilt top was finished i had a few squares left over so i thought i would make them into a cushion.....
 ..............it also meant that i could try out some hand quilting patterns on a small project to see what would look nice on the actual quilt...........i fancied  quilting some circles using indigo thread........
 .............and i liked the effect a lot.....also liked how it echoes the sarah jane children at play fabric used on the alternate squares..............i drew the circles on my patchwork in a rather rudimentary way, using  big and small greengate cups and a water soluble marker pen......as this didn't show up on the very dark blue squares i used a little piece of tailor's chalk to draw those parts......
 ..............now i know i really like this pattern and want to use it on my quilt i might make a proper template and buy a chalk pencil to mark the darker areas with......
 ........it is quite a quick one to stitch and i'm looking forward to getting the backing fabric and beginning this quilting..........meanwhile i have a new little summery blue cushion to enjoy......
 ..........i do love blue, even though i usually use a lot of pink and other bright warm colours in my sewing....... i have a lot of blue dresses ;)......
 ...........i added some seasidey pale blue stripes to the cushion for a simple border......
 ..............below is a posy from the cutting garden this week.....
 ..............also this week we celebrated the anniversary of 150 years since the birth of beatrix potter.....regular readers of this blog know how much i admire beatrix potter, beloved author, illustrator, scientist and conservationist.....i have loved visiting her house at hill top every so often since i was in my teens, have read her little books to my children and grandchildren countless times over the years, and have enjoyed her collected letters and the biographies of her too..........
 ............it's that time of year again when we begin to pack our bags and head off for the seaside.....
 ............i will be taking a little blog break next week and having a nice change of scene......watching my husband and others sailing in the regatta and spending fun times with family and friends...........above is a janet bell painting of beaumaris (on the sunny isle of angelsey)  that i've had a long time and which i love...........and we shall be there soon :)..........
 ............we are packing our stripy tops....and lots of books and crafty things of course......
............and just in case you are wondering if i am now totally obsessed with blue...no, still into pink too and here are some sugar pink hydrangeas from our garden specially for you :).......thank you for visiting me here dear readers and for leaving such kind comments..........it is a pleasure to hear from you or just to have you drop by........wishing you a cheery sunny start to august and plenty of  happy crafty times...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxx

37 comments:

Jacky H said...

Your blog is such a lovely read.
Have a lovely holiday I hope the sun shines for you and your family.
Jacky

Susan said...

I really like the quilted effect from the two circles. And thank you for the touch of pink, always my favorite. I hope you have a wonderful seaside holiday.

Cheryl | TimeToCraft said...

What a beautiful cushion. I like the effect of the hand quilting stitches and the blues are so calming. Enjoy your holiday.

Unknown said...

I just recently discovered your lovely blog...it's just beautiful! I hope you have a fun and relaxing holiday.

Lorrie said...

Enjoy your days at the seaside, Helen. Your blue patchwork pillow will make a pretty place for someone to lay their head for a nap.

Little Quiltsong said...

Enjoy your holiday - it sounds lovely and relaxing!! Love your quilting on this pretty blue quilt. Your flower gardens must be a wonderful sight - love how you fill your house with them.

Betty said...

I love pillows and I do believe I have some blue and white fabric that I can make me a pillow like yours. Thanks for the inspiration.

Leanne said...

I love your blue quilt and Pillow, that quilting looks beautiful, Such a delightful design. its fun to try something new. Enjoy your time at the sea side, it sounds wonderful, xx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Have a lovely holidays Helen! Your new blue pillow is so beautiful and I like the circle quilting! x Teje

Pattypan said...

Love the circle quilting love the little cushion. Have a lovely holiday.

Pattypan

x

Jane said...

You know me Helen I am very much a blue girl.I love your cushion and that circular hand quilting is so clever..wow that takes some patience. That children playing fabric is so beautiful. Enjoy your trip away and I hope the sun returns for you, it's not been playing ball much here since we got back. Hugs xx

KC'sCourt! said...

I love your Blue and White is is very inspirational. Have a good holiday.

Beatrix Potter was a great woman, and I think if she lived now she would have embraced the digital technology
Julie xxxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I love, love, love your cushion Helen, I adore blue!! The circle quilting is amazing such a lovely effect and it will look wonderful on your quilt!
Enjoy your seaside and sailing time and I look forward to the pics!!
Happy holidays,
V x
P.S. Love Beatrix...I'm a big fan. as you know! ;)

Evelyne said...

I love the cushion and I love also the circle quillting!Great summer cushion!

Thank you for the lovely flowers, I have deep blue ones in my garden, so beautiful!

Enjoy your holiday with your husband and family,it sounds lovely and relaxing.

Hugs,
Evelyne

pens and needles said...

I just love your blue quilt and cushion! The quilted circles complement the patchwork perfectly. Your beautiful blue photos are a cool antidote to the extreme heat of our Missouri Ozarks summer. Think I'll go upstairs to my sewing room and whip up something cool and blue, too! Hope your holiday is relaxing and refreshing and inspiring! :)

Rhona said...


The blues are gorgeous!

Enjoy your holiday Helen!

PamKittyMorning said...

Love your pretty posies and cushion. Have a fun break!

Jane said...

Love the blue cushion and the circle quilting. Have a wonderful break Helen. Jane xx

Teresa Kasner said...

I love your blue cushion and the circular quilting! I think hand-quilting is so cool. I have an old sunbonnet sue and overall sam quilt that an old quilter lady made for my first born child and the entire thing is hand-pieced and hand-quilted and it's amazing all the little tiny stitches. Have fun at the sea and can I beg you to take a photo of the regatta to share with us? We head to our camping trip in a week. I'll be on a blog break too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Alchamillamolly said...

Lovely colours in your cushion Helen, have a lovely break. We were just starting to enjoy visiting Anglesey when our son moved to Lancaster.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Love, love, LOVE the hand quilting in a circle like that, Helen! My great-aunts used to hand quilt together, they always had a quilt on the rack for someone. I'm glad to know it's not a lost art. Your stitches are just so lovely!

Gracie Saylor said...

After a wonderful week of camping by the sea we arrived home Sunday night at 10pm and now are catching up and settling back in our routine...but refreshed! Your pretty blue and white themed pillow seems to anticipate the nautical colors you will enjoy during your seaside vacation next week. The circular quilting is lovely! May you have safe travel and much joy. xxxxxxx

lilac and old roses said...

Have a great holiday in lovely Anglesey, my favourite place in the world. We are off to Menai Bridge for a week soon but first of all have a four generation holiday in Criccieth to look forward to! My gorgeous grandson's first holiday, can't wait! Enjoy Beaumaris, Jane x

driftwood said...

hope you have a wonderful holiday Helen x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Helen..your posies are always the prettiest straight from your garden and the circle stitching is looking beautiful on your quilt! x
Hope you have a wonderful well deserved break by the seaside...
Wishing you sunshiny days,
Susan x

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

Love the cushion and the quilting. Nice painting too! Have a lovely holiday!

Summer said...

This is gorgeous ♥

summerdaisy.net

Frances said...

Helen, the proportion of the quilted circles makes a very good accent on your blue and white checkerboard design. Using the colored thread was another excellent idea!

Have a great time by the sea, enjoying the change of scene. Thanks so much for sharing some views of your lovely garden's flowers with us, too. xo

Carole Williamson said...

Hope you have a lovely holiday Helen & come back refreshed.
I love your circles quilting & the fabric is so sweet too.
Take care.
Love from Carole in Rossendale, Lancashire xxx

Antigone said...

Such beautiful pictures and projects, dear Helen....enjoy your holidays and get a lot of gorgeous photographs to tell us all about it afterwards.

Antigone said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pat's Patch said...

A seaside break seems just right after all your beautiful blue quilting. Gorgeous fabrics and flowers. Enjoy your well deserved holiday Helen. Love Pat x

Jo said...

I have just completed a 5" square quilt topper and i as wondering how to quilt it and you have just inspired me to go with circles on squares, it looks fabulous. Jo x

20 North Ora said...

Love all of the blue. Sounds like you are headed for a fun time with the regatta. Flowers are so pretty. Have a great weekend.

Judy

Pat said...

So very pretty Helen!

cristina said...

Hi Helen, before I do'nt like pink ! but now, thanks to you, I uses this color and i like a lot! I love your work, in all colors, it is great how you combine them! Thanks again for sharing! have a nice day!

Thimbleanna said...

BLUE! My favorite color. Well, now it ties with pink haha. Your little pillow is adorable and the quilting is perfect. I've always loved quilting circles with big stitches -- they're just so fun!