Wednesday 5 June 2013

Sewing Notions

 This week so far has been sunny and bright, with new flowers opening in the garden every day......
 ...........i've been busy sewing again, and also working on new chart commissions which means spending time on the computer...........but i still make sure i spend some time outside while it's so lovely............below is a picture of sudeley castle which we visited while in the cotswolds last week........
.............such a fascinating place steeped in history, there is so much to see and learn about there......I was especially interested in the exhibition there called *threads of time* which showed examples of textile techniques spanning 400 years..........so inspiring, i loved seeing the stumpwork casket from the 17th century, sweet old samplers, tudor dresses, lace and tapestry.............
 ............the gardens were gorgeous too.........and they even have a *secret garden* of their own there :)............in the gift shop is a vintage corner where all kinds of treasures appear each week.......(i did buy something but will save it for another post....)...............
 .............some of the loveliest vintage textiles for me are the humblest sewing notions like pin cushions and needle cases....they have a special quality because they were made and used by needle workers of the time, not just for display................i often make little fun projects like the pin cushion shown here for the magazines i work for.................
 ...............a patchwork pin cushion on a nautical theme, with matching scissor keeper....

.................and a bright seaside-y greeting card complete with cross stitched seagull card topper to go with the gift..............i enjoyed using my one of my favourite colour ways for this project.....
 ...............the project can be found inside the new issue of crafts beautiful............and you can read more about the magazine and find projects to download here..................

 ..............i was very lucky again recently when i won julie's lovely giveaway over at k c's court......
 ................in the parcel was this adorable vintage style embroidered needle book............it's so beautifully embroidered and a real treasure.............julie makes all kinds of amazing vintage and retro inspired projects, and in my parcel was also the wonderfully intriguing magic wallet with fab retro embroidery..........and some lovely buttons, yummy chocolate (not in the pic, guess why)....................
 .............as i said recently, i am amazed at the talented people i meet through blogging :).........you can find julie's work at her shop here, and visit her two vintage inspired blogs here and here..............
...........and still on the subject of sewing notions, i bought this little bunny on our trip last week, and i have a plan for turning him into a sewing notion too.......can you guess how?..............
 .............this is one of my scissor keeps from a magazine project from quite a while ago.......i always try to make things i really like so that when i have them back after publication i can enjoy using them :).........................
...........lots of flowers to pick at last, and how welcome the summer sunshine is this week.........i hope you are enjoying it too..............thank you so much for the lovely comments and visits, it's a pleasure to see you here in my little bit of blog land.................wishing you a wonderful week............
................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

45 comments:

Christine B said...

Your blog is always such a delight! I just love all the flowers, beautiful colours and lovely little sewing bits and pieces. Thank you for sharing them all!

cristina said...


As always your cushion is a sweet job! Your comments always fill me with happiness! How wonderful castle, it must be really nice! Thanks again for all that you inspire us!

Anonymous said...

Hello Dear Helen,
How beautiful. I love the button pillow. I think I will make me one this week. I just ordered July Craft Beautiful this morning. I always check to see what you have in there first.
Have a beautiful Day.
XXOO
Elizabeth

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

That bunny pincushion is going to be adorable :) xoxo

Christine said...

Such beautiful inspiring pictures! You can't have too many bunnies around the house.

Ali said...

Beautiful pictures - I love your makes just gorgeous xxx

Susan said...

The bunny is going to be adorable as a pin cushion! And I love the little embroidered seagulls in the pin cushion and scissor keep- perfect!

Handmade Home Deco said...

I really like your blog. Always full of beautiful things and flowery :) True, we have lovely weather now. I'm spending loads of time outside, with my little boy. That leaves me with so little time for work, but I guess, that's the problem of every mother, that's working at home.
Best wishes!

KC'sCourt! said...

I love your colour pallet it makes mine look so boring. Pretty pin cushions. I like the bunny you could use it to hold pins and buttons.
Did you enjoy the chocolate? It is made locally to me. My husband cannot work out how the magic wallet works either, his dad was a milkman and he used to have one for the money notes.
Julie xxxxxxxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Dear Helen what a treat to see what you have been up to. Love all the pin cushions and scissor pillows. That's what I need to make, I'm forever losing them down the sofa cushion. I think the pillow would stop that nuisance. Summer flowers there're the best. Your garden is flourishing with the show of your arrangements. Just stunning. Hope your sunning weather continues. Thank you for your kind words on my post my friend.
xoRobin

20 North Ora said...

Your posts always bring a smile to my face. Thank you for that! I bet the bunny is going to be a sweet little pincushion!

What line is the tiny red pennant fabric from? Love that and have got to have some.

Have a great day!

Judy

Unknown said...

I do love sewing notions, and I love seeing them in museums, too - I appreciate the day-to-day tools of history as much as the splendour of fancy old tapestries! And your notions are real treasures, love the scissor keepers and your sweet gifts! Chrissie x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I'm guessing the gorgeous little bunny is gong to be carrying a pincushion on his back! :)
I love all your beautiful flowers photos Helen and I think the little cross stitch seagulls are so cute!
Enjoy the sunshine,
V xxx

Vicki said...

What a delight to view your blog! Your projects are so sweet and delicate. Your flowers are yummy!

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Your posts always make me smile, and this wasn't an exception: you find the prettiest bits and bobs and put together the loveliest little things. Thank you so much for sharing, made such a great start for this Thursday morning!

Happy day!

Yours,
Mia

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! What a sweet little pin cushion! I just love how you make lots of cute small details! And those gardens - they are a dream! Have a wonderful weekend! x Teje

Teresa Kasner said...

I adore your pincushions and the scissors keepers! I also think you are going to glue a pin cushion in the basket of your adorable bunny! I just love your images and your color palette. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Jane said...

The flowers are blooming so well Helen and your flower inspired post is beautiful. The pin cushions have such sweet details and it's great to see your wonderful work on the front page of Crafts Beautiful. You must feel very proud. Enjoy this wonderful sunshine and long may it last xx

forgetmenotsblue said...

I do love your work it's so beautiful. The buttons mini cushion looks so lovely.
The bunny project sounds intriguing x

The Faerie Factory said...

Your posts are always so pretty full of lovely pastel shades. The flowers are gorgeous and I love the makes... Sarah x

Vintage Tea Time said...

A beautiful post, Helen, as ever - you take such gorgeous pictures - it never seems grey or rainy in your world!! Lovely, pretty pincushions. The china bunny is very sweet! Have a lovely week. Abby x

Ladybird Diaries said...

I always really enjoy your beautiful posts, such lovely colours. Love the little bunny.
M x

sew said...

What beautiful colours! I can see that Mr Bunny is going to be very handy chap after you've made a small addition and I just love the seagull!

Frances said...

Helen, once again you've brought a garden's full of floral color to you post. Truly lovely!

I also enjoyed clicking over to the magazine link. Thank you for that additional plus.

xo

Unknown said...

Helen your post is just stunning, a real visual feast for everyone. Thank you for this and also for the link to the vintage site, it is gorgeous.
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxx

scrappyjacky said...

Isn't it wonderful to finally see all the flowers....it's beginning to feel like summer may actually be approaching!
I love the little nautical pincushion....just what I need as I live so close to the sea.
I've just treated myself to 'Pretty Patchwork Gifts' and I love,love,love it.....thank you.

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Those gardens look amazing, I really like that little button pin cushion! :) x

Madelief said...

What a beautiful bouquet from your garden Helen! Such fresh colours! Your needlework looks lovely too. I especially enjoyed the photo's from Sudeley Castle. We visited the castle last year in summer and enjoyed it very much. It looks so different in spring.

I believe I missed the shop.....such a shame!

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Your flowers from the garden are so pretty Helen and such a beautiful photo of Sudeley Castle..I would love to visit one day...I love all your makes in the nautical colours which are some of my favourites too.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you found in the little gift shop and I know you will do something special with the sweet bunny!
Congratulations on your latest magazine feature which looks so pretty and on winning Julie's lovely Giveaway!
Susan x

vintage grey said...

Beautiful gardens and flowers and I always love your sweet pincushions!!You won a very sweet giveaway!!! Wishing you a lovely and crafty week Helen! xo Heather

Naturally Carol said...

I can just see ceramic bunny's little basket turned into another yummy pincushion...am I right? Whatever it is it will be pretty! Your pincushions and card are very sweet..love the gulls and I'm lovin' those flowers too. I hope you're in for a sunny weekend and lots of fab things to do Helen.

gillyflower said...

Whoops, forgot to do the word thingy so my first comment was lost!
Cottage looked idyllic Helen, must have been a lovely break.
The flowers from your garden are beautiful, as are all your projects here - so pretty.
Hope the sun stays out this weekend for us all, have a good one!
Gill xx

Anonymous said...

Ooo! So much wonderful eye candy here! Thanks for blogging! ♥

Anonymous said...

I love the summer pin cushion and scissors with buttons and little sea gull. Your photos are beautiful - and you can almost smell the scent of your vase of country flowers. Lovely. Thank you for sharing. Pat x

My Little Home and Garden said...

There are times when I want to live in your blog, where all is sunny, bright, and full of flowers.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Helen.

-Karen

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, your little fat seagulls are so cute. I love the scissor keep too. Your garden must be very colourful at the moment judging by your beautiful vase of flowers.Wishing you a lovely weekend, love Linda x

mags said...

What a sunny post. I love the tiny seagulls on your pincushions.

Alchamillamolly said...

Hi Helen your posts always make me think of sunny days. Can you tell me where you get those buttons that look like the old fashioned linen covered ones but yours are spotty. I would love some.

Simone said...

I love the things you make Helen and the fresh colours you use. A little pincushion will fit nicely into the bunny ornament! x

koralee said...

Don't you LOVE this time for year with all the lovely flowers...my peonies are out and I am so loving having them as cut flowers around my home.
Your little pin cushion is darling....such a summer design. Hope your June is going well so far my friend. xoxo

Jo said...

first visit to your blog and I am pouring over your pictures they are so summery. Check out my blog here

http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/

thriftwood said...

Ooh I love your posts Helen, so pretty and inspirational!

Whereabouts on the north-west coast do you live? Because I do too!

Thanks for popping over to me, you're always welcome xxx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I love visiting your blog and seeing your beautiful pictures of flowers, your adorable creations and also seeing your pics of your recent vacation. Beautiful!!

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

Oh, Helen, I'm SO excited!!! I got your book...the Patchwork one..isn't that your latest? I now have a cross stitch one and a sewing one of yours! I love it but you'll never guess what I did? I loaned it to someone right after I got it! What was I thinking??? She'll bring it back and she was on "holiday" from work that week so I knew she would really enjoy it....but I want it back....NOW!!! LOL! It's such a beautiful book...I'm so glad you're out there in the world making beautiful things and books so we can attempt them too.
I love the sailing theme. That little cross stitched gull and the sea bird button? Too cute! And where oh where did you get those darling scissors? Aren't they just precious?
Your flowers are beautiful! Thanks you for sharing some of your holiday with us...I can't imagine how interesting it must be to see castles and gardens that are older than our country! LOL! Gardener's paradise! Thank you and as soon as I get my book back I will be posting about it. I still can't believe I did that!

Anonymous said...

I made the pretty patchwork pillow from "Pretty Patchwork Gifts" and featured it today on my blog, along with a link to you. Love it!

Mary