Tuesday 24 September 2013

Mushrooms

 The autumn days are warm and sunny here again at the moment and everywhere is looking colourful and beautiful...........as part of my autumn decorating i have hung up some little mushrooms....
 ...........i made these decorative mushrooms for my book pretty patchwork gifts here.........
 .........and here they are in the book.......there are full instructions for making them and a choice of templates......once i have designed a template, i often enlarge or reduce it in a photocopier to make different sized versions so now i have made mushrooms ranging from huge to tiny............
 ..........you can also use the templates for applique shapes like the mushroom cushion below................
..........i made this one with a mix of fabrics which i decided needed either to have spots in the design or to feature the colour red :).............. i backed the patchwork front with fusible wadding and quilted round each patch, adding red stitching round the mushroom ........and a red and white spotty button..
 ............some close ups of the project.........some cute buttons on a sewing theme too.......
 ............for the back of the cushion i used a fabric printed with tiny mushrooms.......i bought it in several colour ways and used the pink version for my toadstool cushion in last month's crafts beautiful magazine........
 ............i love the little prints and will be making some more patchwork gifts using them soon.....
 ............my elder daughter sarah and i went on a lovely big city centre shopping trip a couple of weekends ago, as she had birthday money to spend........ and i went foraging for mushrooms in cath kidston, as you can see..........love my new tea towels :)...........
...........i have now cut into my lovely old new 30's fabrics from sew and quilt and made a sixteen patch block..........i love these pretty florals so much..........not sure yet if this will be for a cushion or a whole quilt, as i think a set of cushions in these fabrics would be lovely for our spare bedroom....
 .........................the roses on blue reminded me of some of my china collection.............
 .............i've been busy finishing off some design projects and magazine work this week, as we are going on a little trip away to the countryside first thing tomorrow for a mid week break...............
 i've been packing my little case and selecting a quilt or two to take.......looking forward to long autumn walks in the country, staying in a cute little cottage, lighting log fires in the evening and having a nice rest for a few days.........and doing some crochet and quilting of course :)..................
.............i will leave you with some pretty hydrangeas from our garden........they have grown enormously this year, it must have been the perfect weather for them :).............thank you for visiting me here, lovely readers, and for your sweet comments and emails............i hope you have a happy sunny creative week..........back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxx

42 comments:

fee @ chipper nelly said...

Love them love them love them
fee x

homemade@myplace said...

Love your mushrooms!!!!!
Enjoy your little break!!!!
xxxxx Ale

Unknown said...

We are mushroom mad in our home, eating them, crafting them...your projects will fit in perfectly! Enjoy your break and thank you for the pretty photos! Chrissie x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I'm just reading your post with some tea in my CK mushroom mug! :)
I love all your little mushrooms, I'm quite into them at the moment myself!
Love your hydrangeas too, I'm afraid mine didn't do well this year at all!
I hope you have a lovely relaxing break Helen,
V xxx

serendipity said...

Wonderful! Hope you have a lovely break. xx

Kay said...

Have a lovely break. The mushrooms are adorable, especially the cushion applique.

thriftwood said...

What fun fungi Helen! Love the CK print, think I feel a little trip coming on ....

Enjoy your break, sweetie, you deserve it!

Love Claire xxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi my sweet Helen, So nice to have time to comment on your lovely mushroom/toadstool post. I love them all, what's not great with red and polka dots!!! I wish you a relaxing and wonderful holiday! Enjoy my friend, xoRobin

forgetmenotsblue said...

Oh your mushroom hanger is lovely. You book is on my amazon wish list I'm just waiting for some extra pennies can't wait to have a look through. I've just treated myself to a CK mushroom mug. I'm glad my profile pic fits in with your lovely post xx

Jane said...

Hi Helen, what a lovely mushroom post, I love them both to eat and to look at. Your makes are just gorgeous...so bright and cheerful. I have seen the new CK mushroom range..they are on my wish list. Enjoy your mini break, take care, Jane x

KC'sCourt! said...

Love the mushrooms - something I have been making this afternoon too
Julie xxxxxxx

scrappyjacky said...

Those mushrooms are just gorgeous...there really is an autumnal feel now.....though today has been warm and sunny in Sussex.
I think those patches would make gorgeous cushions.

Things and Thoughts said...

Boundless creativity Helen!Your mushrooms are in the season now, so lovely and autumnal!I love this detail from your kitchen and your gorgeous hydrangeas!
Wish you a lovely evening!

Christine B said...

Beautiful hydrangeas! Your garden must be a picture!! Cute mushrooms too! Have a lovely trip. :)

Teresa Kasner said...

Adorable mushroom projects!! I'm in love with that cream pitcher.. who makes that? Enjoy your country cottage getaway!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Cindy said...

Your mushrooms are very cute! I always enjoy seeing your posts:)
Have a great getaway!

Ladybird Diaries said...

Lovely mushroom post! I also adore your floral teacup and saucer...so pretty. Hope you have a lovely break away.
Marianne x

Susan said...

What similarities between your week and mine. I am having a break in the country too but it is Spring here and there are lambs and ducklings to see. I also borrowed your book from the library, using it for some Spring inspiration. What adorable mushroom fabric and tea towels too! Your posts are always a delight!

20 North Ora said...

Love your bright little mushrooms. I also love the patchwork you did. Beautiful colors.

Judy

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Oh, your mushrooms are so adorable and how pretty are your new tea towels!! Love the darling mushroom cushion, too!! And, you 16-patch block is beautiful!! May you have a wonderful and fun break!! xo Heather

Sarah said...

Hi Helen, your mushrooms are lovely, they're my very favourite thing too. Have you seen the mushroom salt and pepper pots on CK....so cute!! Have a great break, Sarah xo

Gabriella said...

I love it !. I' m your follower, you are welcome in my blog :-)

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, love the mushrooms and your cushion. Love your tea-towels, china and hydrangea. In fact, can I move in when you go away? Have a lovely relaxing break, it sounds idyllic. Much love, Linda x

Crafted by Carly said...

Wow! I LOVE the toadstool-makes!!!
x

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, you have always so many beautiful things in your post that i can't even remember everything at once! I love your little mushrooms and mushroom fabrics! Those tiny mushrooms in lines are so cute! I love the little pillow! Your suitcase is most sweet! I wish you wonderful trip and I know you'll show us later beautiful photos! x Teje

Hannapat said...

Hello lovely Helen. By the time you read this you will be on your lovely midweek break. I really hope that you enjoy every minute of it. I love the quilt you have chosen to take with and also that very pretty case! Your place mats are gorgeous and I so love Lecein's fabric, isn't it just wonderful. Your toadstools are so so sweet and they will make such pretty gifts. I am sure they look gorgeous around your beautiful home! Thank you for all the wonderful photo's, I so enjoy your blog and all the wonderful inspiration! Wishing you a very lovely week and thank you for your sweet comments over at mine, I really appreciate them! xoxo

Φανή said...

Love your mushrooms!
So cute!!!
{Fan, by sofan!}

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Beautiful hydrangeas! Due to all the rain we had the last two weeks, my hydrangea flowers unfortunately don't look as pretty as yours.

Your toadstools look fun :-)

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,

I love your mushroom hangers!
Enjoy your little break. Nicolexxx

koralee said...

These mushrooms are stunning...they seem to be the in thing over here in Canada too...they are darling. You are so blessed to have a cath kidston to visit...I just know I would go crazy in one of her stores. xoxo Hugs to you my friend.

Gracie Saylor said...

Last year about this time we begged some blue hydrangeas from a lovely elderly couple we did not know. We wanted to attempt to dry them for my youngest daughter's wedding in November. They did dry beautifully although we ended up not using them for the wedding, but have them in a vase in the entry way :) Your hydrangeas are really beautiful (and all your pretty mushrooms and stitching, too, Helen!)
Gracie xx

Annie Cholewa said...

You saved the best for last ... I adore hydrangeas!

Hope you're enjoying that break x

Simone said...

All so lovely Helen. I hope you are enjoying your break and come back rejuvenated! x

Heldasland said...

Oh such wonderful colourful work , you are so very talented .your blog is such a joy. Thank you for sharing it really cheers me up

SLR said...

I've really been into mushrooms lately, they are so cute. I've made a felt mushroom, acorn, and leaves garland and some cute mushroom print pillows. I have your book and am planning to make your cute mushrooms as well! I really need to order the mushroom plate and towel from Cath Kidston!

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Lovely mushroom post Helen!...I love the applique cushion and your new fabrics are so pretty too.
Our hydrangeas did amazingly well last year but like Vivienne they haven't flowered much at all this year...maybe they felt it was just time for a rest but I've missed them!
Happy Weekend,
Susan x
P.S Your little suitcase is gorgeous...hope you have a wonderful break!

gillyflower said...

Love all the cheerful spotty mushrooms, especially the pretty cushion. The CK tea towels are gorgeous too.
Hope you are enjoying a good break Helen - sounds very peaceful and just right for re-charging your batteries to be ready for more sewing projects!
Gill xx

claire said...

Hope you had a nice rest away - enjoyed the mushrooms :)

My Little Home and Garden said...

Now, why do I find myself craving mushrooms on toast or a bowl of creamy mushroom soup!

Your mushrooms are delightful, Helen. I particularly like the fact that there is a little door at the base; it makes me want to peek inside.

I hope your getaway was lovely and that you have a lovely new week.

-Karen

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful toadstool s Helen,love this design :)
Really magical with the little door. I,m loving the new Cath range too and treated Myself to some of it,wonderful.
Love Julie xxx

Mia said...

Hello Helen,

I LOVE that mushroom-pillow, it is the cutest!! Oh my!! And all other mushrooms are so pretty too, I LOVE those kitchen towels too!

Happy autumn!

Yours,
Mia

Beertje Zonn said...

WoW! Beautiful!!!
Greetings, Sonnja