Wednesday 8 May 2013

Spring Stitching

It's been very sunny at our house a lot of the last week....and we actually had a sunny bank holiday too, a rare thing here.......we spent a lot of time outdoors, enjoying the blossom, birds and even a barbecue..........
............besides gardening a lot and trying to get ahead of the weeds, we have all enjoyed seeing the tulip cutting patch grow and some of my friends, both in blog land and in real life are going to plant one next year .....the lure of cutting your own tulips and planting varieties you love is very strong......
...........and my stitching was tulip inspired again too, as you can see i made a little hand quilted potholder in pinks, greens and white...........the simple tulip shape is one i've often used in my design work, painted with watercolours for greetings cards, and stitched into cross stitch samplers many times.........the already almost stylized shape of the tulip is ideal for applique too..........
 ..........i took a big white bucket of colourful tulips into the house at the weekend.............
 .............in the warmth the flowers opened up and some were HuGe........someone described them as looking like lampshades they were so large :)...........the smaller ones with fine lines on them which looked just like hand painted brush strokes were amongst everyone's favourites.............they all looked beautiful as the petals opened out and they took on such un-tulip like shapes......
                         .................here are some pictures of my sewing in progress..........
 .................some tulips and the potholder in the potting shed in the bright sunshine.............
 ...................i love to add some buttons and other little details to my projects........the selvedge strips were from a pam kitty morning fabric....love how the colour dots are printed as little hearts......the rose button is from just another button company................
 ...............and the tulip quilt i showed you last time is almost finished...........i decided to hand quilt some tulip shapes in some of the big rectangles with red thread,  so have been busy sewing them over the last week....
 .............it's been a pleasure making this quilt, i love all the hand quilting in it..........
 ...............today I sewed the binding on (in my lunch break from making autumn things for work commissions)............and tonight i hope to slipstitch the binding down....after making dinner and maybe a bit more weeding.................
.............spring is such a busy time in the garden..............having such a delayed spring this year is making us appreciate it even more..........this old bench under the cedar tree needs a coat of paint and so do the composter beehives which have weathered a bit too much............lots to do ;)..................
............thank you for visiting me here and for all your kind comments...........thank you to those who suggested the birds might have been responsible for taking my seed markers.......we do have lots of birds, especially blackbirds, in our garden and i think that solves the mystery :)........thank you too to everyone who emailed me this week, my inbox was quite stuffed with messages and if i haven't replied to you yet i hope to do so very soon ........................
 ..............i wish you all a wonderful, sunny, happy and crafty week.....................back soon xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxx

48 comments:

Annie Cholewa said...

Gorgeous Helen :) Your colour aesthetic is just so fresh and bright ... love it!

Simone said...

A lovely pink and green post! I love the idea of a tulip cutting patch. So many ideas, so little time...... When I used to go to watercolour painting classes the tutor told me that tulips were the hardest flowers to paint. I think I would much rather have the real thing. x

KC'sCourt! said...

So pretty! Everything is so pretty!
Julie xxxxxxxxx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lovely idea to quilt the tulip design, it does look beautiful . :) Using the selvedge strips is so clever too !
As always, a lovely bright and joyous post Helen!
V xxx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Love your hand stitching! What a lovely quilt it is! That potholder is adorable too! Tulips!! Love them all! We have birds, squirrels, deer and rabbits visiting us often and the rabbits eat the pretty little flowers on the plants, but what can you say!!

forgetmenotsblue said...

Lovely tulips such beautiful colours. I love the idea of having a cutting patch. Certainly sounds like you had a lovely sunny bank holiday :)

Vintage Tea Time said...

Your tulip potholder is lovely - and the tulip quilt just gets better and better! Your tulip cutting garden has definitely inspired you! Abby x

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, somehow you just keep on keepin' on. Project after project. I'm trying to summon my energy up for some projects I can do from my chair with my feet up. Been pondering something with crazy quilt stitches...
Brenda

Henry's Shed said...

How pretty! I love tulips :)

20 North Ora said...

Love that darling little potholder. It's so pretty I wouldn't dare use it but hang it somewhere where everyone could admire it. Beautiful work. Your tulip quilt is gorgeous. Love the tulip outline quilting in those squares.

Have a great Spring day!

Judy

DH said...

I love your blog and I really look forward to each new addition. You do such lovely work. Thanks for all the photos too.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, I don't think anyone could use that sweetie as a potholder! It's a beautiful little fabric painting! Your tulips are adorable and I'm waiting to see that most cute tulip quilt! Have a lovely time1 x Teje

Cindy said...

Everything is so pretty! I love the pink and green.
We are having a warm spring with lots of sunny days also, which does bring a lot of garden work!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Super tulips, real and fabric ones! Yes it's been a great bank holiday hasn't it, can't remember the last time we had a sunny AND warm one! :) x

Jane said...

What gorgeous tulips Helen, both the real and the sewn varieties. I think the bulbs must have enjoyed the cold wet winter as they look extra spectacular this year. It made me smile to read that you are already having to work on your autumn commisions...no doubt Christmas is around the corner for you work wise. Happy Wednesday,
Jane x

Ali said...

Sooo pretty - I've nearly got one of your rabbits made - and I've impressed myself because it looks quite good - I've made sure to take my time needing felt now to finish his dungerees xx

Erna said...

Love all your tulips Helen, your stitched one and the ones in your vase ..
Hugs
Erna xx

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Helen, you always inspire me. I think I need to do some crafty stuff today.. I've been doing too much out and about stuff lately that I'm a bit burned out. Love your latest project and your garden blooms. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Madelief said...

Your little potholder looks lovely Helen!

Such a good idea to have a special patch in your garden especially for tulips. When I look at your colourful bucket, I wish I did the same :-)

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

primrosesattic said...

I brought some tulips for my house this week. They still look beautiful.
I love your pot holder, it is so pretty.
Rosezeeta.

Rhona said...

Such lovely spring/summer colours. Love the pot holders, think I might have to try and make some myself :)

Ladybird Diaries said...

I love your spring stitching, so fresh and pretty. Beautiful flowers too.
M x

cristina said...

A lovely quilt... thnaks for your colorful posts, Helen... lovely... lovely... all lovely...

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Your tulip pot holder is so pretty and cheery! Love all your gorgeous tulips and your quilt is coming along so beautifully!! Wishing you a sweet and crafty week! xo Heather

Things and Thoughts said...

Your stitching is so beautiful with all these colors in harmony with your amazing tulips! It's all so delightful and inspiring Helen !
Have a nice day !
Olympia

margaret said...

a pretty pot holder beautifully stitched and love the quilted tulips.
Have been pleasantly surprised that my tulips have been quite good this year as our local gardening programme said they thought there would be very few flowering (I am in Leeds) due to the cold spell in march.

homemade@myplace said...

your works are always so cheerful!!!!
xxxx Ale

Siobhán said...

You always make such beautiful, cheerful things. Lovely work! Those tulips are so pretty, too--both real and those made of fabric. ;)

Unknown said...

Wow what wonderful colours Helen, your sewing looks good enough to eat. You have a wonderful way of displaying your work so that it always looks so fresh and colourful - a real feast for the eyes - how lovely it would be if we could smell the flowers too!
Another great post, thank you Helen.
Dorothy
:-) xxx

Unknown said...

Hi There, I am so envious of you!!! Such beautiful work!!! You really have an eye for design and color!!!! It's an amazing talent you have!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Love
AMarie

gillyflower said...

Beautiful tulips Helen! And I love the pretty pot holder. We were so lucky with the weather last weekend!
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.
Have a great weekend Helen!
Gill xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hi Helen - I love how you colour coordinate...tulips and stitching, just gorgeous.

Nina x

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen, tulips are such a luxury flower here..rare and so beautiful! When I lived in a colder climate they were grown in local gardens but in the warmer climes of Queensland the winter is too short and warm. I love your red threaded tulips and your sweet potholder too. It is so appreciated when manufacturers make the ordinary special as with your little coloured hearts instead of dots. Have a wonderful weekend..I hope it is warm and sunny for you.

Paula said...

Hello dear Helen, I am so delighted to hear you have enjoyed sunny days! Your photos are gorgeous and cheerful as ever! I will have to plant some tulips when we move. Your tulip potholder is beautiful! Such sweet fabrics! I love the pink dots! Oh, your tulips are gorgeous! Such pretty colors! I enjoyed seeing your sewing in progress and hand quilting. I hope you enjoy all of your time in the garden with the lovely projects that need doing. It makes you feel so good to be in the garden! I hope you have a happy Friday and weekend filled with sun and sewing! Lots of love, Paula xo

Lillie and Moss said...

I just love your blog Helen...every thing about it just makes me smile. Really loving your quilt....those tulips are so pretty!
Shari

Anonymous said...

Your tulips are a joy to behold.We seem to have waited so log for sunshine it brought everything to life. And, you tulip potholder and quilt with quilting by hand the prettiest ever;a lovely post. Patx

my4lilgirls said...

We had a lovely sunny bank holiday too, been a wash out since though :(
I love the tulip motif Helen, so summery & just real pretty, as is all your work, always enjoy your posts
Karen x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Beautiful post Helen!...I love your tulip theme in those pretty colours and your potholder is lovely. Such a gorgeous quilt too...definitely one to treasure...love your handquilting!
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Susan x
(fingers crossed for sunshine!)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous!
This is so inspiring.

At this moment I'm having a giveaway at my blog

http://homeiswherethedachshundis.blogspot.be
(click on birthdaygiveaway)

I already put the fabrics aside but didn't know yet what to make of them.

Perhaps this is an idea?
Or somebody else has got a better idea?

Claudia Pech said...

tudo aqui é lindo!

bjo

PamKittyMorning said...

So very cute. I could get lost in your photos.

Jacky H said...

Hi
I love your blog, I love the style of your quilting especially the colour you use.
The owner of my local patchwork shop pointed me in your direction.

thriftwood said...

Beautiful tulips Helen, in the bucket and on your sewing! Lovely, springlike post, the colours are amazing.

Thanks for popping over to Thriftwood and for your lovely comments.

Love Claire xx

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, aren't tulips just the most glorious flowers. Yours are lovely. Mine sadly didn't do too well this year, so I will have too plant more next year to compensate. I love the parrot tulips best of all.
Your tulip quilt is beautiful, your choice of fabrics gorgeous as ever.
Many thanks for your very kind comments about 'the Potting Shed'.Much love, Linda x

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

W hat a darling potholder and your tulips are absolutely exquisite. I used to have a home with a winding front walk and on both sides I planted 100's of tulips. It was a site to behold come Springtime. But that was many years ago and here I'm told the deer eat them right up so I haven't bothered planting any thing but deer resistant plants.
Happy Belated Mother's Day too.
I have to go see your tulip quilt now..I'm back tracking! LOL!

Hannapat said...

What a very lovely little potholder you made, I love it!! I to love tulips and never tire of them, it is just such a shame that they don't come back year after year. It seems like you have a busy day ahead, enjoy. xo

My Little Home and Garden said...

I love my visits to your blog, Helen. Your journal is beautiful; I'm fond of The Secret Garden as well and I'm pulling together my real life garden this weekend, a traditional thing to do here in Canada on the Victoria Day weekend.

Have a wonderful week,
Karen

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