Monday 31 October 2016

Woodland Walks

 Here are some bright new makes inspired by the colourful autumn days and the woodland walks we have been enjoying.........there have been lots of mushrooms and toadstools this year, both in the garden and in the countryside.............the red spotted ones have been a favourite motif of mine since college days...........
 .............i made two little pincushions which may be given as gifts soon...........
 ..........and a needle book which i might keep :)...............i used some of a sweet minny muu charm pack from lecien fabrics, some pam kitty morning fabric too, and some matching felt and ribbon from my crafty stash.....
 ..............i put little pockets in the inside of the back and front covers so i can add small sewing items to take with me on an outing..........when the ribbon is tied the whole thing is secure..........
 .............front pocket with threads........vintage haberdashery items from my growing collection...........
 ...............the flower was from a child's hair ornament.....i often see inexpensive decorative things on my travels and know they will be useful one day for my makes so into the crafty stash they go.............
 ............the back pocket with the quick unpick or seam ripper...such a handy little gadget sometimes ;) .........i might make some more of these needle books as gifts and fill them with stitching treats.......
 ....................here is a close up of the pink pincushion..........i added a piece of decorated ribbon to the seam, as i always like to do.....
 .................and here is the yellow pincushion, with a piece of liberty binding to decorate it......you can see the back of each pincushion in the top image.........i added small patches with tiny toadstools on them from tasha noel fabrics.......
 ................we had a lovely woodland walk at the weekend.........wonderfully atmospheric autumn weather made it a pleasure to be outdoors......mild and fresh and the air filled with leaves and mushroomy scents..............below is the lane we walk up to the woods and common, just a few minutes from our home........i always love to see this little cottage..............
 ..............here is a picture i took at the edge of the woods, of bright berries and greenery and a few autumn leaves............the ivy is plentiful and reminding me it will soon be the festive season...........
 ..............after our walk it was home for a nice cup of tea and a piece of teabread.....this was made from mary berry's recipe borrowdale teabread and it is delicious sliced and spread with butter...........
 ..............i love autumn more each year and want to make the most of each day while it lasts....
..............thank you for dropping by dear readers and a special thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave me a lovely comment....so kind of you and so appreciated.............wishing you a wonderful week ahead with cosy times and crafty inspirations.............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

41 comments:

Lorrie said...

What a delightful autumn-filled crafty post! I find needlebooks and pin cushions quite addictive to make - little projects can be so satisfying. Your mushrooms are cute as buttons! Enjoy this lovely season indoors and out!

Summer said...

I love the pretty bright colours and that bread too ♥

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful fabrics and sewing
The cottage is ultra adorable! Having places to walk makes a community more charming, and happy.

KC'sCourt! said...

Lovely pictures, pretty projects. The teabread looks yummy, think I will have to seek out the recipe

Julie xxxxxxxx

lilac and old roses said...

Lovely post! The weather here today has been beautiful, I too have been loving Autumn this year, Jane x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your walk looks lovely Helen, it has been such a lovely month to get out and about in, I'm sorry to see it end!
Love all your cute little makes today, little pincushions and needlebooks are so pretty and so useful. I love red toadstools too, extremely hard to find in the wild though, its a good job they can be made! :)
Have a lovely new week and Happy November,
V x

Kim said...

Oh my goodness, that needle book is the sweetest! ♡

Kim said...

Oh my goodness, that needle book is the sweetest! ♡

Christine B said...

Beautiful makes Helen and your walk to the woods looks so delightful! Happy Hallowe'en! Christine x

Little Quiltsong said...

Love your little projects - especially the little mushroom applique. I had a mushroom theme in our kitchen of our first home - really brings back happy memories. That little cottage is so cute - beautiful autumn walking trail - and then the happy treats in a cozy home after the cold walk. Sounds wonderful! Makes me want to bake instead of sewing - hmmmmmm :)!

Jacky H said...

I can see how the season's influence your creative side. I love your pin cushions and needle case. You are lucky to have those lovely walks on your door step. Your blog is a joy to read I can't believe how quickly Mondays comes round.
Have a lovely week Helen.

Teresa Kasner said...

What a neat post, Helen. Oh how I'd love to see more of that cute little cottage! I've seen little needle books like that but yours is the most wonderful ever! I actually would love to make a few of those for gifts. It's hard to keep my needles organized. I hope you have a wonderful week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Susan said...

Your needlebook is so adorable with its little pocket. I love that dotty ribbon too. Lucky folks to be gifted with your books and pincushions. I hope you have a wonderful week. :)

Jo said...

I love that little needle case, did you quilt as you go on the machine? That is a favourite new technique of mine at the moment. A great way to use up little bits of liberty fabric. Jo x

Diana Stitching said...

Such a lovely needle book and delicious tea cake too! Happy Autumn :)

Mickie said...

Helen,
Your sweet needle book gives me an idea for some Christmas gifts. The teabread looks yummy and I can almost smell the wonderful aroma it gives your kitchen.
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, USA

Ali said...

So pretty as always - I could definitely live in the cottage xx

Terri Brantley said...

I've never seen a needle book before. Thank you for posting! It's quite lovely! Hope you have a fabulous week!

Jane said...

Mushrooms and toadstools are more of my "favourite" seasonal images Helen...perhaps there is something magical and fairy like which appeals to me. I adore that dear needle book...so sweet. You make such beautiful crafts. Lovely autumnal photos too. Happy November my friend xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Your needle book is beautiful Helen (and I definitely think you should keep it ;-) ) Autumn is my favourite month of the year and I wish it would last longer too...your autumn walk sums it up perfectly x
Happy November!
Susan x
P.S I must try Mary's recipe ;-)

pens and needles said...

I especially love your little needlebook -- with the promise of sweet sewing goodies inside. :) Would love to read the recipe for the tea bread. where can it be found?

Amy at love made my home said...

All of your makes are beautiful! Perfect for this time of year too!

Frances said...

Oh Helen, there is so much to see here!

Autumn is such a great time for walks. The little cottage that you've seen on your walks would certainly inspire another series of appliqued, embroidered houses.

There is something about including pockets in a creation that is so thoughtful! Just about everything is improved by a pocket.

Thanks again for your visit over at my place. xo

Marta said...

Le tue creazioni mettono sempre tanta allegria. Complimenti. Ciao

Lee said...

Hi Helen.Beautiful makes.Love the colours and fabric you use so pretty.Beautiful pics of your walk.Have you ever made Delia's Sultana Tea Bread,Yummy.xx

Bee Lady said...

I love all of your makes, as usual. I have an unfinished needle book and I'm so glad it's unfinished. I love your idea of putting pockets in it! Definitely gonna change it up before I finish it now! Thank you for the idea.

Cindy Bee

Amy DeCesare said...

Oh, you and I could be such good neighbors. I would love to go on a walk to see that cottage, then go home for tea and a slice of tea bread. Wonderful little pinnies, and such a clever needlebook with those pockets!

Betty4 said...

Your postings make me so happy! I love everything you make. I sure would love to receive one of your pincushions as a gift. Enjoy your day.

Simone said...

October was wonderful this year. So many crisp, dry and sunny days. That little needle case is delightful with its toadstool motif and great fabric choices too! x

Cindy said...

I love the pin cushions and the needle book. I like that you added pockets to it. I'm going to have to borrow that idea! We have had lovely weather here for walks too. But we have been busy with family so I haven't gotten outside much! Thank you for sharing all of your inspiring work!

Elderberry-Rob said...

the pin cushion and needle book are just so pretty (and useful!) your woods look bursting with colour, we are enjoying similar here, it's the most beautiful time of the year. Betty

Carole Willamson said...

Lovely blog post as always Helen & I love your needle cases.
I'm going to hunt out Mary Berry's Borrowdale teal loaf recipe, I like anything with spice in it.

Love from Carole Williamson in Rossendale xx

Jennifer Hays said...

Your makes are just adorable, Helen. I love the mushrooms especially. You know, I didn't realize until a few years ago that there are mushrooms that actually look that way and I'd always wondered why people would draw them, or make them from fabric, to look like that. Silly! I'd just never seen one, not even a photo of one. I think I finally realized it when one of my children had a book about fungi from the library. :)

Annerose said...

Ach hast du schöne Sachen genäht. Wunderbar.
Ganz lebe Grüße Annerose

Mamifleur said...

Your blog and photos are always delightful! Friendship

Thimbleanna said...

Your little toadstool makes are adorable Helen! And that bread looks divine. I googled the recipe and I was surprised that there weren't any spices (cinnamon, etc.) in it. I think we'd be tempted to throw them in over here LOL!

Gabri millecrocette said...

Lovely views from your creation your wood and kitchen...have happy week end!!

Jen Kershner said...

I adore Autumn too! I love all of your makes and I am also so drawn to toadstools! I'm always amazed when I see a photo of a real one as I have never seen one in person and I think I always imagined they were a made up thing!

Winkel's Crazy Ideas said...

Oh I do love reading your posts, they are so bright and cheerful. I love Autumn too, a very special time of year. your red spotted mushrooms look so pretty. We call them "fluesopp" here. So pretty on the forest floor, and on your sweet little pin cushions. Such a gorgeous little cottage and lovely pictures. You live in a very beautiful area.Thank you for sharing. Winter arrived here yesterday (and I was planning moss-picking for Christmas decorations this weekend). 40 cm of snow and Autumn vanished in a twinkle. Oh well, at least it allows for more crafty time indoors ☺. Pam in Norway x

sweetbriardreams said...

You write and share such beautiful fresh posts Helen :) Your needle book takes me back to my childhood and remembering my Grandma's one. I will have to source one for one of the presents for my mum at Christmas! Have a wonderful Sunday. xx

cristina said...

Ooohhhh, Helen! their pincushions are sooooo beautiful! I like especially the mushrooms, yellow is beautiful! the houses of their country ... I love a different construction of the mine! as always all is very nice and beautiful here in your world! A big hug!