Thursday 9 June 2011

Busy Bees

 First of all today I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who left me such heartwarming blog birthday wishes on my last post! THANK YOU soooo much, and the giveaway is still open if anyone still wishes to put their name in the hat....

Today's post is a small celebration of beehive images....I just love them...they make me think of old kitchen gardens, of cottage gardens filled with flowers and fruit...I think both the wooden hives and the wicker bee skeps are beautiful images to include in embroidery....like my little beehive here which was a cross stitch design I produced years ago and found in a box recently...I thought I'd turn it into a cushion surrounded by a flower garden patchwork....
I have shown our garden beehive shaped composters on my blog before...they have both recently been repainted as they were looking very shabby - not in a chic way - so this one was painted using the blue green f and b paint left over from the bench in the potting shed....
.... and this one was painted with the white f and b paint left over from the potting shed itself...I love both the shades, and they look best surrounded by flowers I think...
 ...one more stitched beehive...this time a fabric applique design on a quilt filled with storybook houses and gardens....
 The adorable little silver beehive below is my new treasure...I saw it on Emma's blog at silverpebble a little while ago and loved it so much I commissioned one as an early birthday present... Many of you will already know Emma and her lovely work - she is a jeweller and a participating member of the Cambridge Open Studios...her website is here and her etsy shop is here....do go and have a look at Emma's beautiful designs.
Besides enjoying my new little beehive,necklace, my stitched beehives and my painted garden ones...I'm also enjoying lots of real bees buzzing happily around our flowers, especially the roses and foxgloves....
I hope you are enjoying your week too. Don't forget the crafty giveaway is still open on my last post until Monday, so if you haven't yet left a comment there is still time...Wishing you happy sunny days till next time. Back soon xxxxxxx

31 comments:

Pipany said...

I love the necklace Helen. Emma's work is so pretty isn't it? Love your embroidery design too - they is something so wonderful about bees. x

silverpebble said...

Oh your composters are just stunning! I love seeing them surrounded by your pretty plants and flowers. My Mum has an old have that she stores her small garden tools in.

Your textile designs are so lovely to look at Helen, and I'm thrilled that you're enjoying your necklace.

Jenny said...

I love the cushion Helen, you've used some of my favourite fabrics and the beehive cross stitch is so sweet! Love your composters too - What a lovely paint makeover you've given them, they look great! xxx

susanhal said...

What a lovely post ! that cushion is just so pretty, the fabric summery and perfect fit for the beehive.
Your necklace is very covetable too and I;m off to check out that etsy shop.

KC'sCourt! said...

The cushion is stunning!
and I do love your composter so unusual
Julie xxxxxxxxxx

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Loving that new cushion and your lovely composters, so cute! Mr Sweetpea wants real bee hives here so he is now looking into that, not sure where he thinks he will find the time for them.

Oh yes Emma makes scrummy things, i have many of her makes here as she only lives about 15 mins drive from me :-)

sew said...

More lovely things!
I inherited some sewing stuff from my late Aunt Catherine - a wonderful needlewoman and amongst it was the text of a talk she gave (many years ago)on the history of patchwork to the local WI in North Wales where she lived.I've just re-read it and hadn't realised just what a background it has!One snippet says that deliberate mistakes were sometimes made in one of the blocks to prove that man was not infalible but only God was perfect - I must remember that if I need an excuse!There is also a book 'Easy to Patchwork' which doesn't look particularly easy to me, but how Aunty Catherine would have loved your blog!

Crafts @ Home said...

I love all the images you have of the beehives, the cushion is gorgeous, the compost bins so much nicer than ordinary ones and I too, fell in love with silverpebbles necklace, this is all very strange as I'm one of those people who will run a mile if a bee or wasp buzzes anywhere near me!!!
Sue Xxx

Jane said...

You have been a "busy bee" Helen.Such a pretty quilt and cushion. Bees are so much part of our English country gardens. I love watching them going in and out of the foxgloves, such industrious little creatures.Great composters, they look so much part of your pretty garden.
Jane x

Simone said...

I love all things 'bee' related! Your beehive cushion is beautiful and really summery looking with the patchwork surround. You are so talented Helen and always produce such lovely work. x

Teresa Kasner said...

Love the bee images, and wow, you got that adorable bee skep that Emma made! I must tell you that I got a precious metal clay KIT so I could make some pretty silver things myself. Can't wait to get started with it.

Hope the sun is shining there, it is here.. amazing!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Madelief said...

Hi Helen,

What a pretty post! I like your beehive compost bins. We don't have to put our bins outside (they go in the ground), but if I ever have too, your beehive design is a good solution.

Love your necklace! Lynn is really talented!

Lieve groet & happy evening,

Madelief x

Mandy said...

Oh Helen! that beehive cushion is sssssoooooo adorable! It looks so pretty and fresh. :)

Ali said...

Your cushion is fab. Love your new necklace as well xx

Anonymous said...

Hello may I ask what are those fabric names ? or is it a line or collection of them ? they are so pretty..Jewel2thecrown@yahoo.com

faith76 said...

Love the cushion and the beehive embroidery xxxx have a buzzy weekend Leah x

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Lovely stitching and bees! Just loved visiting here! blessings,Kathleen

Andrea said...

Hi Helen,

I love the beehive necklace its really unusual and the cushion is so so lovely, beautiful fabrics as always. Happy belated blog birthday too. Your work is a real inspiration Helen,
Have a lovely rest of the week,
Andrea x

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen..your new little cushion has so much of the atmosphere of your sweet garden in it! That's a great way of showing pieces of cross stitch off. Have a happy weekend.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! I love your patchwork pillow and quilt! They are so beautiful and have lovely and happy colours!
Have a great time! xxx Teje

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Oh my, Helen....another beautiful post!...I have fallen for your beehive cross stitch and patchwork cushion...those fabrics are so pretty too...the beehive composters are such a good idea..they are a perfect addition to the garden and practical too...I am a fan of F & B paints..lovely subtle colours...
Wishing you a weekend full of all things good...
Susan x

flowers on my table said...

What a lovely post about beehives. I am lusting after your composters, love the shades you have painted them too. Your cushion is adorable. Have a wonderful weekend Helen, love Linda x

sylviesgarden said...

Your cushion is gorgeous! I think I've said it before but I'll say it again, I love your use of colour.
x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

There are lots of bees about now, it is lovely to hear them buzzing!
You're so right they do love the foxgloves, they get right inside them!
I love your little cushion, the cross stitch of the beehive is so beautiful.
Your beehive necklace is gorgeous, Emma is very clever.
Have a lovely weekend.
Vivienne x

Mia said...

So beautiful fabric appliques, Helen! I love bees too, and they seem to be appearing in my work too. And I LOVE the necklace, I am off to see Emma's work, thank you for sharing the link!

Have a wonderful weekend and sunshine from hot Finland!

Yours,
Mia

flowers on my table said...

Thankyou for your lovely comments Helen. I am not fully recovered yet, but coming on nicely. I am certainly enjoying having a little more time to myself. Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday? Love Linda x

Pomona said...

I love your composters - they look wonderful. And the cushion is beautiful, too - I do love your work.

Pomona x

jackanne said...

hi just wanted to say lovely blog so pretty..x

Sewmancer said...

colourful and cheery!

Poppy said...

So many things I love in this post....I do love coming over to see you!

Lou xxx

Anonymous said...

Hello Helen,
There is something special about the traditional beehives, I love to see them in gardens with or without the bees!
The cushion is beautiful, as a beginnner, it's great to see something so lovely made with a small embroidery project.