Wednesday 3 July 2013

Summer Crafting

This is my new work- in- progress applique quilt...home sweet home.......or house and garden....i created this quilt design originally years ago when i was inspired by folk art and homespun subtle colours and the result with a very antique looking quilt............i still loved the idea and decided to make a new version.......
                            ...........using the fresh floral shades that i love at the moment........
 ...........it already felt like a summer design to me especially after i added the big yellow applique sun shining in the sky..................there are borders with pieced squares and applique flowers and there will be a couple of fabric borders and then another pieced border round the outside edge.... a labour of love and one that will be fun to evolve..............the buttons are part of my crafty haul from our recent visit to manchester................
...........they remind me of summer flowers and i think i'll be adding some to the quilt when it is finished........the crochet is new too..........a blanket based on the colours of seaside rock......
 ......a granny stripe that is easy to work on while talking to family and friends or keeping an eye on the grandchildren.............
 ..........a big pile of flowery colourful fabrics ready to cut out the pieced border when i get a spare moment or two.........below is my summer flower garland from my pretty patchwork gifts book......
                   ...........hanging on the dresser ready for a summer party this weekend.................
 ............because it's my birthday tomorrow :)...........and today is my daughter rosie's birthday......we will be having a joint celebration as we often do and so i will be filling up the vases with flowers and hanging up more bunting...............tidying up the house and garden and doing a bit of baking......
 ...........and if the weather forecast is correct we'll be able to enjoy the party in the garden too......... and here is a new spread in my garden journal.......one of the things i love to do is to visit private gardens when they open for charity, and a nearby village held its annual secret gardens day a week ago.........all the gardens were so well cared for, but there was one which especially appealed to me, like a small version of hidcote manor, with lots of rooms or sections.............i really loved it, so made some notes about it for future reference........the garden belonged to an old cottage dated 1683 and i rather loved that too....
 ...........in our own garden the plants are growing strongly after a nice shower or two of rain.....
 ............the cutting garden is full of plants in bud just waiting to open, and the roses are happily rambling up the walls and trellis...............
 ............this one grows on the back of the small garage which was built in the 1940's........the house is victorian and originally had a small stable for the pony :)................
...........this is one of my favourite rambling roses, the blooms look so crisp and smooth and have a delicious scent..........and in the bottom right picture are the very first sweet peas flowering.............
thank you for visiting me here in my little blog space, it's always a pleasure to see you and reading your sweet comments and emails makes my day................have a wonderful summery week, with flowers and crafts and whatever you enjoy......and happy july 4th to everyone celebrating!!!!........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

60 comments:

sweetpea family said...

I hope you have a lovely birthday - fingers and toes crossed for some sunshine in your garden x

cristina said...

Happy Birthday! You color fills our lives! Happy birthday to you and your daughter too! Thanks for all these beautiful things!

Annerose said...

Hübsch deine neue Decke, die Farben gefallen mir immer soooo gut.
Ich bin schon mal gespannt wie sie fertig aussieht.
Alles alles Liebe und Gute zum Geburtstag dir und deiner Tochter und eine wunderschöne Feier im Freien.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

scrappyjacky said...

Happy Birthday....I hope the sun shines for you....and you can be outside in that gorgeous garden. The roses look wonderful...I do love roses.
The quilt looks so lovely and summery.

doodlebugmom said...

Happy Birthday! I just discovered your blog. I must say all the bright colors and sweet projects make me happy!

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Happy Birthday Helen!! I hope you have a lovely day with your family and lots of time for crocheting and quilting and stitching!! xoxo

Nicky said...

Have a lovely birthday. Your colours of all your projects are so pretty.

Lillie and Moss said...

Happy Birthday Helen and to your daughter as well. I do hope the weather will be as beautiful as all of your work....Gorgeous!
xx Shari!

KC'sCourt! said...

The quilt looks lovely can't wait to see it when it is finished.
Happy birthday to both you and your daughter
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to my favorite designer, quilter, crocheter, book writer, and all things beautiful! Thanks for all you've done and still do to inspire me, it's brought so much joy into my life since I've gone back to sewing ... because of you!

Hugs ~ Mary

Jane said...

Have a very happy birthday tomorrow Helen and happy birthday today to your dear daughter. I think you will be fine for an outside celebration as the weather is looking great. You have some stunning works in progress there. Always such delicious colours. Take care, Jane x

Unknown said...

Helen have a really super duper birthday tomorrow with lots of special time with your loved ones. Really love your quilt it is stunning and I can't wait to see it finished. Wonderful post as always
Lots of love and a big birthday hug
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Happy Birthday dear Helen and to your daughter, too! I wish you wonderful garden party!
Lots of lovely inspiration from you again! Home Sweet Home looks absolutely adorable! I know you have too much rain but then you have the most beautiful garden! x Teje

Unknown said...

Wishing you both a Happy Birthday. Sue x

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you and your daughter! Thank you for the lovely colours, flowers and inspiration.
Sally

Carla said...

My sister and daughter were born the day before me! Happy Birthday to you and yours!!!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Have a lovely birthday, hope the sun shines for you. Your quilt is amazing, so beautiful :) xx

Teresa Kasner said...

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to my friend from across the pond who is talented and colorful and lovely!
. : .
__________ '. : .'
/ /\__.__'.:.' . HAPPY 4th of JULY!
\_________ \/ . .':'. .
.' : '.
' : '

Unknown said...

Very happy birthday wishes to you and your daughter! My mom and I are beside each other with birthdays, too, so fun to share the festivities! Loving the quilt, the colours, the garland...enjoying summer! Chrissie x

forgetmenotsblue said...

Hope you have a lovely birthday best wishes to you. The new work in progress looks like its going to be wonderful. Lovely garland, I've made pin cushions that way never thought to join them great idea x

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Birthday to you and your daughter! I hope you have tons of fun...and lots of cake! Love all of your pretty designs and happy fabric! Sweet Southern hugs, Diane

Vintage Tea Time said...

Happy Birthday, Helen - to you and your daughter (I have a Rosie too!). The quilt is going to be gorgeous. You've got some lovely roses there - it's such a great time in the garden, isn't it? Abby x

Cindy said...

A very happy birthday to you and your daughter! Everything you've shown looks so bright and pretty - it makes me smile:) I can't wait to see all of your new quilt. Are you offering a pattern?

Ali said...

Just beautiful!! Enjoy your birthday big hugs xxx

thriftwood said...

I just love all the colour in your posts ... So pretty!

Hope Rosie had a great birthday today and you have a fab one yourself , tomorrow!

Happy birthday

Love Claire xx

Amanda said...

Happy Birthday Helen! I hope you have a lovely day with your loved ones. I love that quilt!

The warm fireplace said...

Wishing you a very happy birthday.
Sue

Dana said...

Happy Birthday to you and your daughter! I hope you both have a wonderful day!

margaret said...

Happy birthday to both of you. Lots to see on your blog and this morning I ordered your book as I want to do the summer flower garland.

Ladybird Diaries said...

What a gorgeous post as always. Can't wait to see the finished quilt. A very happy birthday to you and your daughter.
M x

Unknown said...

Hi Helen,A very happy, sunny,warm,crafty and fun filled birthday wish to you and your daughter!!!As always,I really love your quilt!!!Enjoy your celebrations!!!
Love
AMarie

sew said...

Sending birthday greetings, Helen -have a lovely celebration surrounded by such pretty things. ♥♥♥

Hannapat said...

Happy birthday lovely Helen. I hope you have a wonderful day and best wishes for a healthy and happy year. I do enjoyed this post. Your quilt is looking amazing, I just love every bit of the detail. Your fabric stash, oh my, LOVE! Then the garden, I've always fancied popping along to open gardens and hopefully this year my health will allow. It sounded wonderful. Your garden on the other hand looks amazing. Love the rambling roses. I have a few in my garden but everything is pretty new and still needs to get established. I can't wait for it to be full of roses and to be bathed in their beautiful scent. Do you know the name of your favourite rambling rose by any chance? Also love the pretty bunting, have my eye on making that very soon as I owm this very lovely book. Wishing you a wonderful day filled with many happy memories. Xoxo

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Happy Birthday to you and your Rosie too, Helen! I hope you have a wonderful day and the sun shines brightly for you so you can spend the day in your beautiful garden.
Your new quilt project is gorgeous...I love the design and the colours too...
Your garden journal must be really building up now with all kinds of loveliness from your trips and the rambling rose is lovely (you have the prettiest flowers in your garden Helen!)
Susan x

ColourMeCrochet said...

Your quilt looks lovely, I'm loving your colour choice.
Happy Birthday, have a lovely day.
Sally x

Things and Thoughts said...

I wish you and your daughter the happiest birthday Helen! I can imagine how beautiful it will be your home with these wonderful crafts you always show us. And this garland is so cute! It would love to have one to my daughter's bedroom.
The real flowers look amazing too.
Kisses!
Olympia

vintage grey said...

Happy Birthday Helen!! And, a Happy Birthday to Rosie!! Hope you both have a most lovely and gorgeous day celebrating!! Love all your summer makes and pretty fabrics!! xo Heather

Shirley said...

We share a birthday Helen, I have had a lovely afternoon tea in a rosé scented garden. Hope you have had a lovely day too. Birthday wishes to your young miss too.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

That is going to be one amazing quilt Helen, looking forward to seeing it progress!
Your garden is looking lovely, I hope you have lots of sunshine for your party! A very happy birthday to you and your daughter!
V xxx

Erna said...

Happy Birthday Helen, and a Happy belated birthday for Rosie.Another bright and happy post.As you're such an inspiration, and it's my birthday on the 9th of July, I decided to ask a starters quilting kit wich my daugther Jennifer bought me.So thanks to you ( and Susan too..) I will try a new skill :))
Hugs
Erna x

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and your daughter a very Happy Birthday with lots of treats. x
Your quilt looks amazing. Will look forward to seeing more. And your garden is beautiful.
Love Pat x

Rhona said...

Happy Birthday to both of you! Enjoy the celebrations.

homemade@myplace said...

such a pleasure for the eyes all these beauties!!!!
xxxx Ale

Anonymous said...

Happy B Day! Love, love your new applique quilt! I hope you'll sell the design soon!

Crafty in the Med said...

Belated birthday wishes helen. I do hope you had a wonderful day and the weather was kind to you.
I am in awe of your lovely appliques and the quilt you are making at this moment. Is it going to tell a story? I can see straight away it will be a summer story!

keep well

Amanda xx

claire said...

Happy Birthday! lots to love and admire as always. Thought of you as i dug out the ground elder this weekend !

Simone said...

Belated Birthday wishes to you and your daughter. I hope you had a lovely, happy and sunny weekend for your joint celebration!

moonstruckcreations said...

Hope you and your daughter had wonderful birthdays.

The colours you are using in your crafting are really matching the lovely summery weather we are having at the moment.

Helenxx

My Little Home and Garden said...

Belated birthday greetings are sent your way, Helen. I can imagine it was a festive time full of your wonderful colours and creativity!

Have a splendid week.

-Karen

Tammy said...

Happy belated birthday to you and your daughter. I hope you had lovely weather for a wonderful celebration. Your quilt is so very pretty. Always such crafty inspiration in your corner of the world. Best wishes, Tammy

Annie Cholewa said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you Helen and to Rosie. I hope the celebrations were every bit as good as you'd hoped :D

Mia said...

Happy belated Birthday, Helen!

And what a beautiful post again, all those happy colors...That quilt will look amazing once finished!

Have a lovely and sunny July week!

Yours,
Mia

Gracie Saylor said...

Helen! I hope you and your daughter had happy birthday celebrations!
It has been a pleasure for me to visit your last two posts and enjoy viewing your projects and posies :-) Isn't summer so lovely?
We are in the midst of cherry and blueberry season here and I did a bit of knitting on a Colonial blue dishcloth today.
I especially enjoyed seeing your sweet pea blooms. I have yet to succeed in growing any, but am excited that two of the Hollyhocks I planted last year are blooming again this year!
xx,
Gracie

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,

I hope you and your daughter have had wonderful birthdays!
On the 4th of July we celebrated the birthday of our lovely daughter Kimberly, now 8 years old.
A friend of mine just visited London and bought me the magazine crafts beautiful with your project in there. I am so happy. Have a wonderful time. Nicolexxx

m said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I've been such a bad blogger!! However it's lovely having a few posts to catch up on :O) Love your blog everytime I visit I just go oooo and ahhhhh :O)

PamKittyMorning said...

Oh I hope your birthday was wonderful! I love all your beautiful projects and can't wait to see this quilt! xo

Naturally Carol said...

Wow Helen! Happy happy birthday..wishing you all the blessings in the world...just a bit late..sorry! Lots o' hugs...oooo..too!

tlcukjourney said...

Happy Birthday to you and your daughter, the home sweet home quilt is amazing, I mean it's gorgeous!
Tammy

Swallow Barn said...

Happy Birthday. I am so in love with those spotty buttons!

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