Helen Philipps: Summer Crafting

Thursday, 30 June 2011

Summer Crafting

Time for some summer crafting, outdoors and indoors, beside the newly spruced up potting shed amongst the flowers and at other peoples' houses too....my wool has been coming with me everywhere this week...

....and i have a little pile of granny squares growing....

....and growing.....

...and growing....i just love making them, and choosing which colour to crochet with next reminds me of picking out a delicious chocolate from a beautiful box...you know you like them all but which one first??

....one day i will have created enough for a blanket, though i expect that day is far in the future and in some ways i don't really mind because i'm so enjoying the making.....

Thank you for your lovely comments on my last few posts, and for those of you who kindly enquired about what was in the tiny saucer crackers...well, the box says they contain 'an entertaining scroll to raise a smile or create a friendly debate. Each entertaining scroll contains a joke, trivia and talk topic'...i must try them out this weekend .....when i mentioned the early birthday lunch with my daughter last weekend, i didn't tell you that actually it was to celebrate both our birthdays, as Rosie's is the day before mine! Mine is on Monday, but i'll be celebrating all weekend i expect.....

Thank you so much for dropping in to see me here. Wishing you a happy weekend ...enjoy your crafty times, family times, garden days and summer sunshine. Back soon with some cake! xxxxx

52 comments:

Crafts @ Home said...: What a wonderful early birthday present for you all those years ago when your daughter made her appearance.... Your crocheting is zooming along, I suspect it won't be very long at all before you have enough squares for a super blanket!!! amazing for a beginner! Have a super birthday :)
Sue Xxx; 30 June 2011 at 20:31
Scented Sweetpeas said...: gorgeous shed and just look at those cute crochet squares! Love the colours you have used. i have been rather addicted to making crochet flowers at the moment, what a lovely craft.; 30 June 2011 at 20:55
Catherine said...: It's all looking beautiful! Have a lovely weekend! Cx; 30 June 2011 at 20:57
Ali said...: Gorgeous!!! Have a Lovely Birthday - hugs xx; 30 June 2011 at 21:09
Jenny said...: Happy Birthday for monday Helen, hope your weekend is filled with lots of sun, crafting and generally good times! Loving your piles of grannies too -they will make a lovely blanket one day. (I'm just about to do my daily square!) xxx; 30 June 2011 at 21:12
KC'sCourt! said...: Lovely!
Julie xxxxxxxxx; 30 June 2011 at 21:13
Hazel said...: What a nice shed! Very picturesque. Lovely, pretty grannies too. You will have them all hooked up in no time. xx; 30 June 2011 at 21:18
Happy in red said...: What a nice little hut you got there. So cute.
Esther.; 30 June 2011 at 21:22
Unknown said...: Happy birthday to you both. Love your little shed what a lovely little space to rest and crochet. And taking of crochet loving your squares. Have a lovely weekend, dee x; 30 June 2011 at 21:29
Unknown said...: That is the sweetest little shed! I'm with you lets craft outside while the weather is good!! You have created a wonderful relaxing spot....so cute!
Happy Birthday to you both!!!!
Chris :o); 30 June 2011 at 21:44
jackanne said...: Happy Birthday Helen, my mums 70 on sunday.3rd. so tonight i am making bunting to hang in her lounge, its so addictive!i have made loads!...i saw your super book in whsmiths yesterday its lovely,i also love your little shed oh how i would love one of my own for all my craft stuff,have a super weekend. jackanne x; 30 June 2011 at 21:44
Unknown said...: Loving your potting shed. Such a beautiful space.
Granny squares are a little addictive, don't you think! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who takes a bag of yarn and hooks with them everywhere they go!
Becky x
PS hope you and your daughter have lovely birthdays.; 30 June 2011 at 21:51
debbie @ happy little cottage said...: Happy Birthday Weekend Helen! I hope you finish lots of grannies and spend lots of time with your family!; 30 June 2011 at 22:39
harmony and rosie said...: That has to be the prettiest shed I've seen in a long time, I could quite happily spend all my time in there. Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend x; 30 June 2011 at 23:18
Naturally Carol said...: Happy summer days! When I made my afghan I would pick out three colours and then made six squares out of those colours knowing that all of those colour permutations were done..then I'd move onto the next three colour variations. It ended up that the rug had no two squares the same..which was really cool...if that's how you want it..which I did! I think you'll finish earlier than you think you will..they add up quite fast.; 1 July 2011 at 00:14
Teresa Kasner said...: Dear Helen, I love visiting your blog.. it's so light and happy and pretty and pastel! I have a shed out behind our old farmhouse that needs "re-done". I'm thinking a new paint color would be the ticket. Currently our house, shed & garage and the same color, I'm thinking we need a new one! :-)
((hugs)), Teresa :-); 1 July 2011 at 00:15
Teresa Kasner said...: Oh.. and *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!*; 1 July 2011 at 00:16
Naturally Carol said...: P.S...I just spotted some birthday wishes..Happy Birthday to you!!! I wish you all the best and every blessing on your birthday and in the year ahead...; 1 July 2011 at 00:17
Karen said...: Helen, those are lovely colorful granny squares and your potting shed is beautiful, too!; 1 July 2011 at 00:32
Patty Marker said...: You've inspired me to crochet myself some granny squares. I love your pace, too. I stopped at my favorite local yarn shop and splurged on some lovely wool yarn. I'm at the age that i've found it makes no sense to scrimp on quality in long run. Your squares are coming along nicely and I adore your shed.; 1 July 2011 at 01:49
Mandy said...: Happy Birthday Helen!
That potting shed is sssssssooooo gorgeous!
Keep enjoying the crochet :); 1 July 2011 at 07:07
driftwood said...: happy birthday - hope you have a lovely weekend. oh and btw I am hugely envious of that shed..... xxx; 1 July 2011 at 07:09
Jane said...: Happy Birthday Helen, enjoy your celebrations and your saucer crackers! They sound great fun. The colours you are making your granny squares with are just so "you"; cheerful and country garden style. Your potting shed even has "Helen" stamped all over it...wonderful. Have a sunny weekend,
Jane x; 1 July 2011 at 07:38
carrad said...: Happy Birthday! I too have a new grandbaby girl - aren't we lucky! Your blog is great, your potting shed is beautiful and I must have a look at your books. Making crochet squares seems to be the in-thing at the moment around Blogland! xxx; 1 July 2011 at 07:46
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: Your granny squares are so pretty Helen...you will end up with a beautiful blanket..the sun is shining here today and it would be lovely to have my morning coffee sitting in your pretty chair by the potting shed!...
Best wishes for a lovely birthday,
Susan x; 1 July 2011 at 08:47
Simone said...: Happy Birthday to you and Rosie! I bet you will have that crochet blanket all finished up by the end of the year as you will want to start on another one!!! Have a lovely weekend. I think it is going to be a good one. x; 1 July 2011 at 09:26
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1 July 2011 at 10:00
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: Hello again Helen...Just called back to say your lovely blog has been drawn out of our basket for 'Lola's Blog of the Week' and I have just linked up!...
Take care,
Susan x; 1 July 2011 at 10:05
Teje Karjalainen said...: Hapy Birthday to you and your daughter!!! Have a wonderful weekend celebrating!
Thank you for a lovely summer post and enjoy your grannies!
xxx Teje; 1 July 2011 at 10:23
Thedarkerside73 said...: Ooo I do love your potting shed! So pretty inside and out! Ours is just a shed a very messy inside despite my DH organising it every other week!

Its a lovely thing having family birthdays so near. I have just had my birthday and in less than a week my gorgeous youngest girl will celebrate her 5th birthday! Fun and games have been played and are continuing well into next week!

Those crochet square look gorgeous too! The blanket when made will be delicious in looks and memories.

Have a great celebratory weekend.

MBB x; 1 July 2011 at 12:13
millefeuilles said...: Oh HaPpY BiRtHdAy for Monday, Helen!!!!!!

I adore your little gardener's shed with the pink flowers dotted around the roof. How do you keep it so beautifully tidy?

I cannot wait to start my granny squares; you've had a head start on me ;-) My lesson is on July 9th.

I've just had lunch with my children out in the shade near the lavender bush whilst watching the bees and cabbage butterflies hovering around; heaven.; 1 July 2011 at 13:04
Pink Milk said...: Very many happy returns Helen! How lovely to have summer birthdays in your family - we are all in the depths of winter! :-{

What a gorgeous picture of your potting shed ... I want one, I want one!

I'm loving the pretty colours of your granny squares; crochet is so completely addictive isn't it?!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hx; 1 July 2011 at 13:16
...Nina Nixon... said...: Happy, happy birthday for Monday - I hope you're building up to it with a long weekend?

I love the sprucing - it looks fab.....big sigh.

Nina xxx; 1 July 2011 at 14:23
Tabitha said...: what a beautiful potting shed and lovely crochet granny squares, very pretty colours and they soon build up, am just about to embark on a granny square blanket myself and hope they turn out just as lovely, best wishes and hope you have a great week, and many thanks for sharing such lovely pictures, Tabs; 1 July 2011 at 15:25
greenrabbitdesigns said...: A very Happy Birthday for Monday, Helen! Hope you have a great day!
Your granny squares are so pretty, they're going to make a gorgeous blanket.
Do you know, I could quite happily move into your potting shed and live there, it's so beautiful. :)
Enjoy your weekend and celebrations.
Vivienne x; 1 July 2011 at 15:40
Pipany said...: Wow, I want that potting shed Helen! It is so pretty. Hope you have a chance to enjoy it this weekend x; 1 July 2011 at 17:27
Pipany said...: Oh and happy birthday too xx; 1 July 2011 at 17:28
DianeM said...: Have a wonderful birthday! I so enjoy visiting your blog & seeing all the lovely photos of flowers & projects :)So much inspiration :)
Smiles, DianeM; 1 July 2011 at 17:29
Creative Paws, Happy Paws said...: Your shed is like a little fairytale come true, how fun that must be! You have a wonderful blog, thanks for sharing! I cant wait to see what you make out of those beautiful squares.; 1 July 2011 at 19:13
gillyflower said...: Pretty as a picture! I can just see you beautiful white potting shed and chair on the front of a greetings card or in an interiors magazine, you have made it all so wonderful!
Lovely to read about your crochet enthusiasm - it seems ot be catching as i've just come from another blog where the smae sort of thing is happening!
The granny squares are looking so pretty.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday Helen, and Happy Birthday wishes to Rosie too.
Gill xx; 2 July 2011 at 10:17
millefeuilles said...: Dear Helen,

I just wanted to let you know that I refer to your blog (glowingly, of course) in my latest post; my lazy, hazy brain has only just thought that perhaps I should have asked for your approval first? I am so sorry.

Again, many happy returns for your birthday.; 2 July 2011 at 21:35
Hippywitch said...: Your blog is so pretty! Have fun with the granny squares, I too love making these blankets but haven't done one for years now.....might have to put that right soon!; 3 July 2011 at 10:56
mynestofyarnandbuttons said...: Helen, I wish you a Very Happy Birthday. We are on Vacation and I was able to check up on all my lovely blog friends. Sorry I am late in wishing you a Happy Birthday and happy and healthy year!!!
xoRobin❤; 3 July 2011 at 13:34
Anonymous said...: Happy Birthday for tomorrow. I just sewed my blanket together yesterday - one year and nine months!!! PS I could never keep a shed white - how do you do it?!!; 3 July 2011 at 17:05
Anonymous said...: Your granny squares look really pretty, it was seeing some in lovely pastel colours instead of the usual bright colours, that inspired me to finally learn how to do them.
I love the flower garland on the potting shed too.

It seems I popped in on just the right day. A very Happy Birthday, I hope you have a wonderful day.x; 4 July 2011 at 09:04
do you mind if i knit said...: You do live in the most beautiful environment Helen, sometimes I think your photos are taken from a magazine, and then I realise, no! It's Helen's home! Wow! Happy Birthday Helen! Love Vanessa xxx; 4 July 2011 at 14:12
Mia said...: Happy Birthday, dear Helen!

Yours shed is just wonderful, and those granny squares...So summery, I love them all!

Have a great week and many sunny days!

Yours,
Mia; 4 July 2011 at 17:12
flowers on my table said...: Happy Birthday Helen, you are just right to celebrate all week! Your shed is so adorable and I am in love with your knitting bag (or crochet, I should say), with the roses on it, just lovely. Have a wonderful week, love Linda x; 5 July 2011 at 01:22
sylviesgarden said...: Your pics are always gorgeous! They look like they are straight out of a magazine.
x; 5 July 2011 at 11:26
Unknown said...: How am I not following you fabulous blog already. I see so many I know who are. I here now and I'm going to be staying. Great blog, Great pictures, Great stories. Can't wait to see more.

Kate - The Garden Bell; 7 July 2011 at 20:50
Dotty said...: Wow you shed is bloody gorgeous! So cute, i have never thought i would type the words, Cute and shed in the same sentence :); 6 September 2011 at 13:51
trish said...: Hello. :o)
I am meandering through your lovely posts on crochet today. :o) You have such beautiful projects and they give inspiration to me. :o) I spied your Cath bag and swooned. :o) They were no longer before I could purchase it. :o)
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I always enjoy coming here. :o)
Have a lovely weekend.
Sincerely, Trish; 9 December 2011 at 19:27