Monday 26 August 2013

Seaside Rock and Granny Stripes

 It still feels summery here on this long bank holiday weekend....though there are little hints of autumn in the air i am not taking any notice of them yet ;).............i showed you a little peek of this latest granny stripe blanket a while ago and now it is finished........
 ............it was inspired by the colours and stripes of seaside rock that i took pictures of a couple of years ago when we were at the devon seaside................
 ..........i love making granny stripes, so easy and rhythmic to do and always a new colour to join in and enjoy............easy to do while travelling or talking or movie watching too........and i do loooove the stripes in seaside rock.............
........so this has been my easy crochet project for the summer and suddenly last week it was finished.........i did a simple border in turquoise blue to finish it off....... all the yarn is from the stylecraft special dk range.........the colours are intense and varied, the yarn is soft to crochet with and i love how you can always get an extra ball very quickly and it doesn't become discontinued like some ranges too when you are in the middle of a project :).........
 ...........some little balls of yarn left over maybe to make some flowers or granny squares next?.....
...........this year's seaside rock brought back from the sunny isle of anglesey along with a few shells to add to my studio mantelpiece and remind me of summer long after it has gone..............
 ..........the blanket is composed of groups of simple stripes divided by one row of white - like the rock stripes often are - which makes the colours look clear and really pop out..............
 ................this little pincushion is another of my cross stitch motif makes, the little boat shown here, and the beach hut shown on my previous post are both charts from my book *simple sewn gifts*....
                                                  ...........i love all these colours...........
 ...........this week i did some baking and made the family a batch of cherry buns...........it suddenly felt like time to bake again and i had been wanting to make some cherry cakes for quite a while......
 ...............now that it's almost autumn i am remembering the cakes and crumbles, fruit loaves and flapjacks that we enjoy when it's cooler.............the cherry cakes are just the beginning of the next big baking spell i think.............
 ...........more pictures of the seaside rock blanket...........i think the grandbabies are going to like using this one a lot..................
 .............they have already snuggled under the end of it while i was still crocheting it :)...............
 .............now it's time to move on to a new crochet project and i can't wait to decide what it will be and to get started on it....i like to have a project ready in a basket to just pick up and put down when needed.............i'm also working on my seaside flowers hexie quilt which is growing fast................
...........thank you for popping over to see me in my little blog space today :)...........thank you for the helpful recommendations for longarm quilters in the uk, that is so much appreciated...........and thank you for all your sweet comments, lovely readers................wishing you a happy week enjoying the rest of summer with lots of sunshine and crafty times...............i will have some autumn makes to show you next , i think :).................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooxxxxxx

43 comments:

John'aLee said...

Oh yummy, yummy colors! Your work is beautiful!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Yes Helen, I'm ignoring the signs of autumn too!!
I love your seaside rock blanket, you have captured the colourful stripes of rock beautifully!:)
I really want a stick of rock now!!! ;)
Happy new week, lets hang on to summer for a little while longer!
V xxx

serendipity said...

It's beautiful. You've really captured the colours of summer. Seeing sticks of rock always brings back memories of watching it being made in the rock shop in Folkestone when I was young. Fascinating how they made the lettering!

Lillie and Moss said...

Beautiful work Helen! Just beautiful!
Love your little stitchery pincushion.....very cute and your stitches are sooo perfect!
Hugs, Shari

Susan said...

Thankfully there are signs of Spring here, down under! Your makes in all their pretty colours are inspirational!

KC'sCourt! said...

The colours are gorgeous. Summer in photographs, something to look back on in the cold winter, Love the blanket and the little pin cushion is one of the best I have ever seen
Julie xxxxxxxx

Jane said...

Hi Helen the line of white really makes those colours pop, what a gorgeous blanket and it will really remind you of summer. It's glorious here at the moment but I agree there are signs that autumn is on its way. At least we did eventually get a good summer this year. Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday, Jane x

Annerose said...

Oh wie süß, das kleine Schiffchen gefällt mir sehr sehr gut. Ich mag deine Sachen einfach gerne.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

My Little Home and Garden said...

Visiting your blog is like a happy little holiday, Helen. It's a rainy day here (much needed) and the thunder was booming and lightening flashing a little earlier. You've added a bright spot to this grey Monday with the colourful crochet and needlework; I like how you mention the sources of your inspiration, such as rock candy.

-Karen

Anonymous said...

I love those colors!!! They look delicious, bright, happy - love it! I'm saving my Paypal money to buy your book and can hardly way. I'm looking forward to doing some little cross stitch crafts. The cherry cakes look yummy, too! Thanks for bringing so much beautiful color and joy to our world!

Hugs ~ Mary

Frances said...

What a great idea to adopt the cheering seaside rock colors in creating a lovely crocheted blanket! You've created a beautiful tribute to a classic summer symbol. Of course, your grandchildren are going to love the blanket. The turquoise edging gives a perfect finishing touch.

I also like those multicolored crochet hooks...the put my all metal hooks to shame, even if some of the metal one are faintly colored. I imagine that the colorful "stems" are also comfy in the hand.

Have a grand week full of more creativity! xo

homemade@myplace said...

love your happy and bright blanket Helen! I love the effect that the alternating of one colour rows makes!! It seems to have vertical stripes! Amazing!
Have a lovely week, xxxx Ale

mags said...

Yum a scrumptious post, such lovely colours. I really liked the effect the white stripe had and will definitely give that a try. Lovely on a cushion I think.

Unknown said...

Ah Helen, no matter what kind of day I'm having, whenever I pop by to visit your blog it's like the moment Dorothy opens the door to discover the colourful world of Oz - everything is just so bright and happy! I looooove your new blanket, I bet you made it big enough to fit all the grand kids beneath! I look forward to seeing your next makes, hugs, Chrissie x

sweetpea family said...

Hi Helen I hope the sunshine lasts a little longer we are enjoying a lovely Bank Holiday Monday - your blanket is beautiful. I love the colours which will bring summer indoors when your little ones snuggle underneath in. All of your summer makes are beautiful and as usual you inspire me to start new projects. Hope you have a fun week I'm off to visit Kate in London tomorrow to have some fun mother and daughter time and of course lots of lovely cuddles with Jake x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Your candy colored blanket is so sweet! Enjoy your holiday and savor every last minute of Summer!! Fall baking can wait :) (at least for a little while) xoxo

The Queen of Collage said...

I admire your lovely work. It's delightful to see such bright colours instead of pale ones. I think they bring out the playful nature in us.

Simone said...

I love the seaside rock blanket and to see where you got your inspiration from! I need to work on creating things from what inspires me too! I am looking forward to baking as the days cool down and move on to some slow paced craft projects. x

Denise SA said...

Love your granny stripe blanket. At the moment I am crocheting a granny square blanket using variegated bamboo yarn in blues and greens and I just love watching those stripes appear

jan said...

Hi Helen!
Your blanket is beautiful. I love visiting your blog because I am always smiling by the time I leave it! So much pretty eye candy!
those cherry buns look delicious!
Have fun.
Jan@sewandsowfarm

By Neymes said...

OLÁ HELEN QUE LINDO POST,EU AMAR AS IMAGENS.SÓ FALTAR O TRADUTOR DE TEXTO.(SORRIR).BOA SEMANA.BEIJO.VALÉRIA.

justpootling said...

Wow, such beautiful colours. A really beautiful blog to look at. I am your newest follower !
Kate
justpootling.blogspot.co.uk

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Your seaside rock blanket looks beautiful! Love your source of inspiration :-) Those rocks a delicious!!!

I am very much into crochet as well at the moment. Just finished another cushion cover. Like you I am starting on a new project soon. Just found a beautiful pattern on Etsy.

Happy week!

Madelief x

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I too love the colors of your seaside rock candy quilt, so pretty!! Your pictures are always so bright and full of pretty colors!!

Brenda said...

Love it! The colors do remind me of a beach house! Great choices.

Ladybird Diaries said...

Oh I love your stripy seaside blanket! It is so lovely. Lovely post as always.
M x

Unknown said...

Hi Helen your work is quite stunning as always. I am always drawn to your colours and what a lovely idea to use the rock as the measure, the colours work so so well. Helen as you know you are my inspiration, thank you so much for sharing with us
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Helen,What a lovely picture you painted with your grandkids huddling under the blanket while you still busy working on it!!!Love your work!!!As always beautiful projects as always!!!Have a great day!!!
Love
AMarie

Christine said...

Your pictures always make me so happy. I love the pin cushion. And the blanket is gorgeous. The colors are so beautiful.

Hannapat said...

Hello lovely Helen. I have just returned from hols and what a lovely post to brighten my day. I love the colours you chose for your granny stripe and the final product is simply beautiful!!! I am sure you will get so much use out of that, I know I would want to have it in every room all year round. Love your very pretty pincushion, so very sweet. Those cherry cakes, yum yum yum! xoxo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I am loving all of your seaside creations! I decorate with a lot of nautical designs here in Florida! Enjoy your week my friend!

cristina said...

Your granny stripe blanket is gorgeous! I love it! the colors are beautiful! you are absolutely right: do this kind of granny stripe blanket make happiness and relaxation! and can be watching TV or conversation ... I made one like this the last winter and is the blanket that I feel proud to crocheting! also congratulate for his pincushion! all are so beautiful .... a hug and kisses from Catalonia!

Tania said...

Hi Helen, your granny stripe blanket is gorgeous, such pretty, fresh colours. I love this pattern, so easy to pick up and put down, and so much scope for combining colours. We are now coming into spring in Australia, but your writing of autumn baking almost made me wish we were coming into autumn here too! Then again, autumn is my favourite season.... Thank you for your lovely post

Astri said...

I always come here for my color fix...never disappointed. :-)

Lori ann said...

dear helen,

everything is so colorful and lovely, i especially like the edging in that beautiful turquoise blue crochet! and i love most the summer memories this blanket will bring
:)

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Dear Helen...Your granny stripe blanket is gorgeous and it captures seaside rock perfectly and yes, I'm sure Charlie and Daisy love it too! I've almost completed a summer project using Stylecraft Special DK and found it very good to work with and as you mentioned there are lots of colours to play with too which is so unusual these days...
I love your pretty pin cushion and after this post I'm so ready for a return to the seaside..it's been too long!
♥ Happy Thursday!
Susan x

Martha said...

Absolutely beautiful! All the things you show in the post - the cross stitch cushion, the blanket, the yarns, the crochet hooks, the cupcakes - so darling!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Oh Helen, you're making me want to see the sea again this is so lovely! :) x

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Gorgeous blanket Helen, just love the colours! Also love your crochet hooks are those the etimo tulip ones ? Hope you have a lovely lovely rest of the summer full of baking, sewing and family xxx

Susan Freeman said...

Your charming posts always put a smile on my face!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Tammy said...

Such lovely colors in your blanket. The stripes match the candy and the pretty fabric in your little sailboat pillow. I love how you take your simple cross-stitch designs and turn them into something extra special. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Tammy

forgetmenotsblue said...

I just adore your crochet blanket I might have to give this a go myself. I think its really cool how you used the rock to inspire you. Wonderful x

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

Wow, what a beautiful color-filled post! I am a big fan of stripes, and that blanket is absolutely gorgeous!

Happy September (what? already?) and sunny greetings from Finland again!

Yours,
Mia