Monday 10 October 2016

October Crafting

 Last week autumn arrived properly here...........i was holding on to summer for as long as i could though :)..........but now there is no denying the season has changed so i am enjoying all it brings.....
 ............i love these cosy times...........i've been hand quilting my trip around the world quilt and enjoying the warmth it brings......and was so pleased to see buckets of bright autumn dahlias outside the greengrocer's shop.....i bought a few bunches which are now brightening up my kitchen....
 ............my work for the world of magazines is all about springtime at the moment as we always work a few months ahead but i am used to that after doing it for many years.....a few warm and cosy colours are appearing in the fabric piles here though........i am sewing blocks for my st ives quilt and above and below are some paper pieced ones being made for it............
 ...........which will be mixed in with lots of applique ones too......i am so enjoying making this quilt and choosing what to stitch next.......reading the old quilt books is very inspiring and i have got lots of ideas from antique quilt blocks which look surprisingly modern when re made in current fabrics.....
 ...............every year in autumn i make a new pumpkin or two to add to my collection......
 ..............this time i made a white linen pumpkin from some of my cross stitch linen......i used the pumpkin pattern from my book *modern vintage gifts*........but instead of making a felt stalk for this pumpkin i gathered some sticks from the garden to use instead...........
 ...............and then i made a couple more with different shades of linen............
 ..............i still love the colourful print pumpkins too though..........
 .................this one is made from some of the new tilda cabbage rose fabric......love the little bunnies on it.....
 .............the fire has been lit in our sitting room, and the candles too...........we are getting into nesting mode in the evenings again......though the bright days mean lots of gardening and bulb planting for us at this time of year............here are some snippets from the autumn garden ready to make some decorations.....
 ............a little garland being made with berries and other autumn finds.....
 ..............and a last picture of my favourite dahlias from this week..........
.............thank you so much for dropping by to visit me here dear readers.......it is always a pleasure to hear from you too........(you can also catch up with me during the week on facebook as well if you'd like to see me there)..............wishing you all a wonderful week filled with crafty inspirations, cosy times and autumn flowers.........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

37 comments:

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hello Helen! Thank you for bringing autumn in my mind! I'm so looking for to go to Finland next week. Here it is still like summer. Your photos are beautiful and I love the colour of those dahlias. Old quilts are surely very inspiring! You have picked lovely colours for your quilt project! x Teje

Rhona said...

There's no denying that autumn is here....and winter will be upon us soon....but it's a great time for crafting!Your little pumpkins are so sweet, they are now on my to-do list (as if I didn't have a long enough list already! :) ) Have a great week, Helen!

eclectichomelife said...

A proper autumnal post, love it x

janice15 said...

It is all just lovely the pretty hand quilt. One day I will get there. The Tilda rose fabric is perfect for autumn.. Lobely post. Happy Monday with love Janice

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Today is windy and chillier than it has been. Autumn is no doubt here as well. I love the red fabric pattern, solid and vintage at the same time. The pumpkins are fantastic for any time of year!

Ali said...

Oh I love your pumpkins - every year I say I'll make one - but guess what they are still on my to do list!! Have a great week xxx hugs xxx

Jane said...

Gorgeous dahlia Helen..so unusual. Yes autumn really is here now. Love your stick pumpkins and that pretty garland. Have a cosy week. Hugs xxx

busybusybeejay said...

Like you I love Autumn.Time to curl up under a crocheted blanket,Time to edge one I have just finished,keeping me warm while I do it.Planning projects for Xmas gifts with the curtains drawn and the heating on.I LOVE IT?Barbarax

Jennifer Hays said...

Your dahlias are so pretty. I love how the color is down inside the petals, making it look sort of frosty at the tips where they are white. Your quilting is coming along nicely. Enjoy these early autumn days, Helen.

Lorrie said...

A beautiful post, Helen, full of wonderful crafty things and thoughts about autumn. It's a cozy season. Your pumpkins, all of them, are fat and cheerful, as pumpkins should be. Enjoy your fire and the crafting time.

Jacky H said...

Hi Helen what a lovely read your quilt looks amazing. Thank you for sharing the autumn colours I'm miss them at the moment. I must make some pumpkins there on the to do list.
Have a lovely crafty week.
Jacky

Jacky H said...

Hi Helen what a lovely read your quilt looks amazing. Thank you for sharing the autumn colours I'm miss them at the moment. I must make some pumpkins there on the to do list.
Have a lovely crafty week.
Jacky

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I always love your pumpkins Helen, your new bunny one is gorgeous but your natural ones are SO beautiful!!
Pretty dahlias and lovely stitching as always.
Autumn isn't so bad when the sun shines! :)
V x

Mickie said...

Helen,
Another inspiring post! I would love to have the discipline you must have to get so many lovely things made. Please keep sharing these treasures with us as it helps me (or shames me} into finishing my many projects. LOL!
Mickie, USA

Gracie Saylor said...

You are creating some lovely pumpkins and quilts, Helen! It is clever to use sticks for some of the pumpkin stems. I have some patchwork squares set out on the table to stitch up with a Featherweight machine. I have been reading the manual :) Hoping you have a good week! xx

Christine B said...

It has turned cold here too but we had some lovely sunshine during the day today. Love hearing about all your projects and your pumpkins are very sweet! Have a lovely week! Christine x

Leanne said...

Such beautiful colours in your post today Helen, I love your trip around the world quilt, its so pretty and delicate. Its always nice to buy some pretty flowers to brighten up a room. We are in Spring now and my garden is full of blooms, Have a wonderful day. xx

Thimbleanna said...

You always have such beautiful projects on the go Helen. And it's funny, when I saw that orange Tilda fabric, I thought it would make perfect pumpkins too!

Cindy said...

Love your dahlias! Such a pretty color. I haven't grown any in years, but I think I will put them on my list for next spring:) have a great crafty week!

Blondie's Journal said...

I simply don't know where you find the time, Helen...you always seem to have so much going on. I say I will read more, do some needlework, sort out drawers, clean up some garden beds...sorry. I'm complaining, aren't I? ;-D

Your work is wonderful and in addition to your white pumpkins, I love the patterned ones almost more. Very pretty.

Your dahlias are beautiful, sigh. Winter will be here before we know it, and like you, I do love sitting before that fire!

Lovely post, my friend!

Jane

Winkel's Crazy Ideas said...

Love love love the pumpkins! Pam in Norway

Teresa Kasner said...

I love both the quiet colored pumpkins and the bright and printed ones.. can't choose my favorites! I'm glad you're getting in the nesting mood.. me too. I got some new yarn today and plan to do some crocheted hats for children in need and some baby ones for newborns in need. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Art and Sand said...

You always choose the loveliest fabrics.

Annerose said...

Wunderschön und tolle Farben. Ich mag den Herbst ganz gerne. Die Blumen sind fantastisch.Liebe Grüße Annerose
Danke für deine lieben Worte.

Carole Williamson said...

A gorgeous inspirational blog post as always Helen.
Love from Carole in Rossendale xxx

Amy DeCesare said...

I'm having my coffee break and this lovely post just set the mood for me to enjoy the new season, starting with today. Those linen pumpkins are fascinating...I may have to try making one. Stay cozy!

Simone said...

Fresh Dahlias and fabric pumpkins. What's not to like? x

Frances said...

Helen, you do seem to be enjoying the mingling of seasons in your decorating and designing. As always, the results you've shown us are completely charming! xo

KC'sCourt! said...

Love the pumpkins.
The dahlias loo very pretty

Julie xxxxxxx

Jo said...

A pumpkin a year? What a great idea! Jo x

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

I adore that cabbage rose pumpkin - you have such incredible talent, Helen!!

driftwood said...

oh your pumpkins are quite adorable x

Elderberry-Rob said...

what a colourful post to bring us into Autumn. I like your pumpkins and the idea of twigs for stalks. I am making a wreath too, it's the most wonderful time of year for finding pretty acorns, conkers and berries to decorate with.

Pat's Patch said...

Gorgeous autumn dailhas and pretty fabric pumpkins, and lovely quilts in progress. Keep cosy XXX

Kim said...

Your printed pumpkins are just adorable! :)

Bee Lady said...

I enjoy the fall weather, and the fall decorations but the colors are not my colors. I'm not into the rusts and browns, even though they are pretty. I love that you stick with your shades of pinks, blues, and creams and made fall decorations out of the colors you enjoy. Great idea!

Marta said...

Veramente belle le tue zucche quelle chiare, ma anche quelle con le stoffe colorate.