Tuesday 17 April 2012

Make Do And Mend

 Many months ago, when planning this year's commissions with the lovely magazine editors i work with, i realised that the red white and blue colour way (one of my absolute favourites) was going to be BiG this year, what with the jubilee and the olympics too.....and i  also found that there were lots of lovely products on an old blighty shabby chic theme to be bought in the crafts shops.....crafty heaven :-) .....so, this is my project for this month's crafts beautiful, in the shops now.........i've been looking forward to showing it on my blog and to actually hanging the hanger up in my studio .............
 .........and to using the make do and mend notebook for recording sewing tips, plans and ideas, snippets, pictures, sketches and cuttings all on a stitchy fabric-y theme......i used portobello road embellishments from papermania and haberdashery rubber stamps by tim holz on this book cover....you can read all about it in the magazine and find lots of other crafty inspiration on the crafts beautiful website here........
.........the letters in this picture are real old letters that we were sorting out last weekend...they belonged to my late mother in law, and were sent to her when her son ( my mr p) was born...they are such lovely letters from her sisters in law and other family and friends, and tell such a story of a past time and a different world...very moving too.....
 ..........little collage, showing the cover of cb with my project peeking out (even after all these years it's still nice to see my designs appear, especially on a cover) the magazine has a lovely (free) vintage rubber stamp and lots of papers too which i will be putting to good use......the first bluebells picked this spring (from our garden, not the bluebell woods we walked in on sunday)..........the bluebells have only just begun to open here, so the carpeting effect hasn't happened yet...maybe next weekend, if the sun shines a bit more.......
....................red white and blue pincushion and vintage birdie tin filled with red white and blue buttons all ready for sewing onto lots more projects..........
 .........and my new crochet blanket which i mentioned in my last post is also fitting in with this year's theme....i've begun making a granny stripe jubilee blanket........i love it already, and it will be perfect for seaside picnics (even matching the red and white spotty picnic cool bag)......if i hurry up it might be ready to take to the jubilee party too........i think my love of this colour way really stems from the nautical things i grew up with........living in a sailing resort, surrounded by boats and flags and lots of objects painted in these colours.........
 ..........we love living on the coast and i love being near the sea.....i can see it from our house, and walk down to it in a few minutes......i used to take it for granted when i was young, until i lived inland for a few years and missed it so much...........
.......some granny squares have quickly been hooked up too, while watching a film at the weekend.....these are for a jubilee cushion to go with the blanket for perfect picnics this summer......so that's my making and doing for this week...and i have even done a little bit of mending too....i sewed up a hole in a jumper and the hem on a skirt :-0
Thank you for dropping by to my little bit of blogland, it's so lovely to see you.........wishing you a wonderful week and i hope the sun shines for you...........back soon xxxxxxxx

52 comments:

MelMel said...

When I see that you've updated.....I always say....YAY! then oohhh great picture!

Lovely post!

Melxx

l.wilks11 said...

Such a lovely post and so uplifting to see the way you have used red, white and blue in your craft work......xx

Tangled Sweetpea said...

The granny stripe is gorgeous! Love love love red white and blue
Victoria xx

Jane said...

That is a great project you made for CB Helen, you should be proud to see yourself on the cover. I shall have a look out for this month's copy as I like the look of the freebies too! I loved your red, white and blue post theme and your granny squares you are making. Enjoy your week and happy crafting,
Jane x

DearHelenHartman said...

Charming projects in such a happy color scheme. Glad I stopped by your blog today to see.

moonstruckcreations said...

What lovely things Helen, I always look forward to reading your posts!

Helenxx

Apple Blossom Barn said...

Really lovely Helen!
I love red white and blue too so fresh together!

Best wishes

Denise

arobella creations said...

Lovely photos and projects. The red white and blue look great together- I can't wait to see the end results!

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Helen, I've just found some letters written to my grandma by her sister. They are so newsy, so alive, I felt as if she were there while I was reading them, what treasures and insights into life then.
I think those colors are so cheerful, I'll be happy with the jubilee and olympics too, even more so with all the color!
xx
julie

Andrea said...

Hi Helen,
A lovely post as always, I love your latest project in the magazine, the Notebook is just gorgeous and as I am a total Notebook lover it would be fab in anyone's collection!
Hope you are having a lovely week Helen,
Andrea x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hurray for Red, White and Blue!!!! Can't go wrong! Love your RWB book and plague, so neat! Would love to find the magazine in the US, I will look for it. The afghan will be so pretty and will look great this summer. Nautical also!!!
My best to you my friend, xoRobin❤

Ali said...

Gorgeous your designs are fab - love all your photos xx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Oh Helen, you are so darling with your beautiful crafts! Thank you for inspiration - I want to make a new notebook! Blue-red-white is so Summer!
How fantastic that you have those old letters; they really are a treasure! And your crochets are wonderful, I guess I could knit when travelling...
x Teje

KC'sCourt! said...

Off to seek out the magazine tomorrow. I love the designs
Julie xxxxx

Unknown said...

What a lovely post i love the colours of your blanket and cushion to be very jubilee ;-) And your pin cushions choice of fabrics is gorgeous. Thank you for always taking the time to visit me and leave such lovely supporting comments. Have a great week, dee xx

Kentish Keg-Meg said...

Love all the red, white and blue featured in this post. The pincushions are so lovely. My bluebells are only just starting to appear and I cannot wait till I can fill a jug like yours.

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen :o) I`m so glad to visit you again, my Lovely Friend :o)
So beautiful pictures you`ve made! Love your white-blu-red theme. So great idea for this summer to make a jubilee blanket and cushion- love`em. Your tin with sweet birdies makes me smile. It`s the sweetest one and your pincushion is just adorable. Well, and what can I say about your notebook? It`s PERFECT!
Have a very warm and sunny week
lot of love
Natasha

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I love your red, white and blue makes! The notebook is absolutely gorgeous. :)
Your crochet is very pretty too and will be be very useful for the Jubilee if it gets a bit chilly.
Some Union Jack fabric arrived in the post for me today, I'm planning a bit of Jubilee crafting myself!
Vivienne x

Ariane said...

love the yarn colours, so cute pictures
x Ariane

Jelly Jam said...

That notebook is just fab. Might have to have a go at something like that - would make a lovely present.
Ellie
x

harmony and rosie said...

Your latest project looks a goodie and yes, very timely too so it will be a big hit.
I hope you had a lovely Easter, Helen.
Kate xx

Deborah said...

Your colors are the colors of my blog so you know I love them. If I ever see a red pitcher with white polka dots like your, I'm going to grab it!!

trish said...

Oh how pretty. :o) What a fun crafty project and I adore your crochet!! :o)
I hope you are having a wonderful week.
hugs, Trish xoxo

vintage grey said...

Oh, how fun!! LOve your granny squares and sweet pin cushion! Thanke for the inspiration!! ;) xo Heather

Lori ann said...

beautiful! i don't know why, but knowing you live by the sea makes me so happy. love all your projects helen, and the red white and blue is perfect!

Jenny said...

I love the red white and blues together Helen, so perfect for this year! Your project in CB is gorgeous too, I love the details on the notebook and all your little cross stitchy bits! What a gorgeous granny blanket you've started too! It looks fab with just the three colour repeat. Happy hooking :) Jenny x

Silver Thimble said...

Duely heading to the shops to purchase sais magazine woo hoo!!!!!! Love the colours you are using in your granny stripe x

my4lilgirls said...

Wow, wow I loved going through every wee detail in this post, its all so stunning.
Love the color theme, I'm inspired
Lol Karen x

Annie @ knitsofacto said...

This really is a red, white and blue post! It's one of my favourite summer colourways too. I can so see you having a Jubliee picnic on the beach with your crochet goodies keeping you comfortable.

As you know I have a jubilee themed giveaway on the blog, but disappointingly it's attracted less interest than any previous giveaway I've had. Maybe Jubilee mania hasn't quite hit yet!

Fleur Cotton said...

I love this post - I'm really trying to immerse my self in these colours too at the moment as I've just been asked by a grandma-to-be to knit a cardigan for her expected granddaughter due in May - she wants something with jubilee colours! So red, white and blue here I come!!

I love the simplicity of your red jug with blue flowers ..what a perfect jubilee display, and a great idea for anyone.

Have a lovely week.
Fleur xx

Fleur Cotton said...

I love this post - I'm really trying to immerse my self in these colours too at the moment as I've just been asked by a grandma-to-be to knit a cardigan for her expected granddaughter due in May - she wants something with jubilee colours! So red, white and blue here I come!!

I love the simplicity of your red jug with blue flowers ..what a perfect jubilee display, and a great idea for anyone.

Have a lovely week.
Fleur xx

Country Rabbit said...

its my absolute favourite colour combination too- i love the make do and mend creations- the snippets notebook soooo lovely.

And those wonderful crochet squares too ;0)xx

The rain has bucketed down!! damp and grey day a head! and id felt so Springy at the beginning of the week all the pretty bluebells had quite a hammering of rain and almost flattened them! - good job i saw them when the sun was out.

x

Molly said...

Great style. I love your colourful pictures and beautiful ideas.
Lovely hugs
Molly

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your photos of all your pretty things.

Little Nell said...

Lovely combination of colours. I hadn’t thought of a granny square cushion, but now I know what i can do when watching the box!

flowers on my table said...

Hi Helen, I love the 'make do and mend' theme. Thankyou for the link, I did click on it but found it a little confusing and manic. I will try again later.

I love the stripey blanket, you will be the envy of the beach!

Many thanks for your visit and kind remarks, the plant markers are great aren't they? Have a wonderful wednesday, love Linda x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

I love the red, white and blue combination Helen...everything looks so fresh and pretty...Your 'Make do and Mend' hanger is fabulous as is your little notebook and I love the button, heart and stamp details too..
I do enjoy reading old letters..it makes me feel so close to the writer no matter how long ago they were written..
Lots of lovely crochet here too....wonderful!
Hope you are having a happy week,
Susan x

Simone said...

The red, white and blues you have used are such soft shades Helen and really pretty. Being a papercrafter I adore the notebook most of all! x

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen! Such a lovely and cheerful post! I love all of your beautiful red, white and blue and the wonderful Make Do and Mend sign! Beautiful job! I will have to look for the magazine! I love your notebook too! So many sweet details and a fabulous idea to record all those things in! Your vignettes are beautiful! What a treasure those old letters are! So glad you have them to enjoy. I love history and things from a past time speak to my heart. The pincushion and vintage tin are so sweet! Love the cheerful crochet colors and your blanket is gorgeous! I am so happy you live near the sea and can see it from your home! That is a blessing. We live on a bayou that is right behind our back garden and my husband's work shop. We have a little johnny boat and it takes about 5 minuets to get on to the lake. It is very peaceful and beautiful. I would love to live near the sea too! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and your lovely projects! Much love, Paula xoxo

Crafted by Carly said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous and more gorgeous!!! I love all your red, white and blue bits & pieces!!! That colour combo happens to be one of my favourites too!
Carly
x

Mia said...

Red, blue&white are adorable together! And your work is so pretty, Helen, and makes me want to start something redbluewhite NOW :)

Happy Wednesday!

Yours,
Mia

Teresa Kasner said...

I'm a red, white and blue fanatic too.. now you're inspiring me to get started on something in rwb! I'm a sailor so I totally love the sea and boats too. You are so lucky to live so close.. I'd love it if you'd show your view from your house! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

ALISON said...

Great ideas ...how do you manage...such a creative mind.....ciao Alison

Anonymous said...

Love the red white and blue ,a delightful combination and now I really need one :0
Thanks for sharing your lovely piccies too.
lots of love juliexoxoxoxo

koralee said...

Oh creative talent friend...you my dear sooooo inspire me. You always have something magical on the go. Your red, white and blues are lovely. xoxoxo

My Little Home and Garden said...

The "Make Do and Mend" theme comes on the heels of an article in today's newspaper. Its headline and subtitle:
"Repair, reuse, remember back when green was just a primary colour and there was no such thing as Earth Day, frugal conservation came naturally to Granny)"
Your post is lovely and the red, white and blue colours are classic. Have a wonderful weekend, Helen.
-Karen

Sam I Am...... said...

I love your blog and all your cherry colors and projects. Obviously, you are very talented and I just can't seem to get enough of English blogs right now...I love you gals..you're all talented and your sense of color and creativity is blowing my mind! I am SO inspired! Thank you for sharing your beautiful things.

Unknown said...

I just found you through Pinterest! I am so happy I did, just adore your blog! Sandy from 521 Lake Street

Sewmancer said...

Lovely! :)

gillyflower said...

Wonderful red white and blue eye candy!
The little granny squares are so pretty!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend Helen - the sun is out here, hooray, hope it is with you too!

Gill xx

Poppy said...

Hello Helen, I just love red, white & blue, I got some bits at the weekend for Queen's jubilee party.
Another lovely post!

Lou xxx

Joshy and belle said...

I love red, white and blue!!! Can't wait to see your blanket finished! Fliss xxx