Tuesday 21 January 2014

Pretty Patchworks

 I have rather a lot of works in progress (wips) at the moment, many of which are patchworks in progress (pips), and i must say i like it that way :).......i can decide what i feel like working on today....apart from actual work projects which are decided more sensibly by deadlines of course.......
.........i am loving making stars for my charmed stars quilt..........each star will be made from a different fabric, like charm quilts are made, and i do love choosing the next one to be sewn....
 ............as you can see they are joined together with a large white hexagon which i made specially to use for joining the six point stars (they are the same english paper pieced ones i used for my starry patchwork cushions before christmas, the papers can be re used many times)............
 .............i am working my way through my stash, picking out old favourites and new ones too.....

.............while i was having a big hunt for my crochet flowers i found my little houses from my pretty patchwork gifts book and decided to take a few photos of them................
 .................they could be pixie houses or they could be beach huts.................
 ............i think i might make a few more in some of the exciting new fabrics i've recently been given.......i quite like the idea of a long window sill with a long row of them, or maybe a small set of wall shelves filled with several rows of sweet little homes made from gorgeous fabrics.....
 .............a surprise parcel arrived here last week from my publishers......it contained copies of the new german translation of my pretty patchwork gifts book......
                                    ..............and copies of the italian translation too.............
 .............i have always loved books and it is still a real pleasure to me to write them too.....
 .............despite finding lots of things on my hunt for the crochet flowers i still haven't found the double flowers i wanted (where can they be?) and now i have lost a little cross stitch motif that i made for a work project, so more hunting is required today before i start sewing......i am glad to hear from your lovely comments that i am not the only one that this happens to......
 ............the beautiful anemones in my sewing room have opened up into huge flowers........
 ................i love seeeing the shapes they form from different angles and the soft green texture of the frilly foliage.................i have cross stitched some anemones too..............
 ..............this is part of my project in this month's spring inspired crafts beautiful magazine......
...................now i am going to make a cup of tea, have a little look around for my lost cross stitch design, and get to work again.............thank you for visiting me here in my little blog space, lovely readers, it is such a pleasure to see you and reading your sweet comments is the icing on the cake :).....wishing you a happy week and to those in the uk.....keep cosy...........back soon xxxxxxxx

48 comments:

homemade@myplace said...

the italian edition arrived too late!!!!! I have the English one and I'm really happy with it!!! ;oD
Beautiful stars Helen,
xxxxxxx Ale

Hannapat said...

Helen what a beautiful star quilt you are making. I love how you are using diamond shapes for it. It really does look very pretty. I must say that it feels a little strange not to have a million WIPs at the moment, but it also feel rather uncluttered and good. I hope you enjoy your cuppa and looking for some cross stitch inspiration, something I still need to master. If you ever fancy giving me a private tuition when youre up my way, do let me know!! Congrats on your book being published I n german, that must feel so so wonderful. Well done you. Hope you have a lovely day xoxo

Christine B said...

Love your star quilt Helen and your anemone heart is adorable. I have just uncovered my edition of your 'Pretty Patchwork Gifts' book as it was packed up during some house renovations. I missed all my books whilst they were in boxes, so I am glad to have them all back on their shelves again!! :)

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh Helen as if your beautiful real anemones weren't enough we now have pretty stitched ones too.........gorgeous!!! :)
But your star quilt, oh my, it's completely amazing...stunning!!!
Happy Tuesday and I hope you manage to find all your missing crafts!
V xxx

Betty said...

I love the start quilt, it looks beautiful. I also love hearts and I collect hearts of all kinds.

justpootling said...

Hi Helen
Such gorgeous little houses, I agree a little row of them all on a shelf would look perfect !
Hope your hunting for lost things is successful.
Kate x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Sweet Helen, pretty pretty all your stars! Love the way you are attaching them with the hexie, I have to someday try that. Fabrics are brilliant and the idea of all different fabrics will be so fun. Then you will have to pick out your most favorite : ) At least that's what I like to do, silly me.
I've made houses from your patchwork book, they are such fun. Love yor idea of a shelf of them! Congratulations on the translation in Italian and German of your patchwork book. That is quite exciting indeed.

We are cold here too, stay warm and cosy my dear UK friend, xoRobin

Anonymous said...

Frustrated here as well, my new sewing machine is having issues just as I began to "quilt" my new quilt. Hope you can find your missing items, meanwhile I believe I'll get out my old sewing machine and make some more houses along with you. Plan to look for the magazine in Joann's, would love to have a copy. Congrats on having your awesome book published in two new languages, that's exciting!

Hugs ~ Mary

Lillie and Moss said...

What a beautiful star quilt you are making Helen. How do you make your points so perfect? One skill I am not good at, lining up points. Your flowers in your workroom surely do brighten it up and makes it cheerful and I love they gave you inspiration to cross stitch a few...so pretty!
Have a lovely week, Shari

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Those stars!!!!! :-) Good luck on the missi g project search. It's usually scissors or fabric for me! xoxo

Cindy said...

I love your star quilt and the way you put them together with hexies. I never thought of that. I'm still working on my star quilt. It will take a long time to get to the size I want:) Have a great day!

Jane said...

I hope you find your missing work Helen, it's so annoying isn't it. Sometimes it's worth stopping looking as it tends to then magically reappear ;0) How wonderful to see your books in other languages, many congrats on your patchwork success. Happy Tuesday it's a lovely sunny day again here x

Deborah said...

Oh! I love your stars. I want to learn how to make them!!

forgetmenotsblue said...

Hello Helen
I had your book for Christmas after some serious hinting.
I love the book cant wait to do some projects when I find time!
Your patch work stars are beautiful you always have such lovely fabric xx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Love your pips, your stars are so bright and look so pretty all stitched together!! Exciting news about your book too!! Have a great day!!

Caroline said...

Helen,
Your star quilt is really beautiful...such gorgeous fabrics :)
Love Caroline xxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen! Thank you for a beautiful and inspiring post! I have been too busy to sew and blog, so I need a push to find again my rythm. Have a lovely time in your beautiful sewing place! x Teje

Mia said...

Love your stars-quilt, Helen, it'll be stunning once ready. And your pictures are fantastic, so full of light and colors... Thank you for sharing!

Have a lovely day!

Yours,
Mia

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Your stars are so beautiful! I am looking forward to making some once my hexie flowers are finished! And, how sweet are your cross stitched flowers! Enjoy your tea and crafting! xo Heather

scrappyjacky said...

I love the idea of a row of houses along a window sill.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Helen, I can't believe you lose anything. Your space always looks so neat! I am constantly losing stuff but that's because I've got a big ol' mess going on over here. I love your sweet little cross-stitchings. Every time I see something you've made with a simple design, I want to start stitching away and make something sweet and lovely. I do like the idea of shelves lined up with an array of colorful patterned houses. Hope you found the things you were looking for. Best wishes, Tammy

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen! Oh I just love to see all your pretty colored projects! How cool it is to see all your books in different languages!! Your projects make me want to stitch something by hand.. maybe a heart?
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

My dear Helen your work is so beautiful, i try to make some small works but not so preaty like the ones you do, but one thing i´m shure you are my inspiration :)
Love
Nina

Amy at love made my home said...

Your quilt is looking lovely, and I really like the little beach huts come pixie houses, hope you found the cross stitch. Can you read your books that are published in other languages? xx

Ali said...

Always so bright and cheerful!!! Love all your work xxx (p.s. have you looked in the fridge :-) )

Unknown said...

Helen what a stunning quilt, I just adore it as I do everything you make. Your book is my bible and I can't wait for you to bring out a new one - hopefully soon - another feast for the eyes Helen, I don't know how you do it but you always weave your magic for us all to see. Have a wonderful week, big hugs and lots of love to you Helen. Thank you for your wonderful support with my blog, I really do appreciate it.
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

pat hayes said...

Wow! Beautiful starry quilt. Love that your books are in so many translations - congratulations. I treasure my English one, and working through it with great pleasure. Love your little CB heart as well. Love Pat x

Unknown said...

I love the idea of a row of pretty houses, lined up like a little fairy village! Hmmm, I might just have to try that idea here to brighten up these grey days...I am in love with that star quilt, you have a way of making everything look so charming...I usually find those types of quilts to busy for my taste, but in your creative hands they become must-try projects! Chrissie x

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

Hello Helen,
I am doing some regular hexies right now in English Paper Piecing (which I love) but stars are my favorite shape. I'll be putting that on my list for sure. I also had the same problem last evening when I was gathering my materials to make the hexies...I couldn't find my needle threader...still haven't found it. It's probably in some bag somewhere with some other project. I need to have multiples of those. I was able to carry on though so the EPP angels were evidently in residence else how could I have threaded that needle so many times last night?
I love your anemones..the real of course but I especially like your cross stitched version...that is the prettiest cross stitched flower I've ever seen...no joke. It was pansies but no more. You captured them perfectly, even the frilly lace like leaves. Your heart is stunning and I love the monochromatic tag. You need to make a bigger fabric house and then have window boxes with your cross stitched anemones flowing out of them....just a thought...from the gal with loads of ideas and nothing to show for it! LOL! Don't listen to me...you just keep doing what you're doing because you do it wonderfully!

Patti said...

Pure inspiration!

Pat said...

Patchwork and quilting are on my 'to learn' list this 2014! Your cute goodies are highly inspirational, I need to start really soon!
Pat x

Daniela said...

I had been looking for "quilting inspirations" and came across your blog.
I really love your starts quilt, but I don't think I am talented enough to attempt to make one! :-(
Glad I found you!

Frances said...

Oh Helen, lots of beautiful wip's to see in this post. The quilted stars are so lovely...I really like the idea of a charm quilt.

It's grand that your terrific book is available in several translations. I am so happy to have my own English copy and yearn for time to try my hand at some patchwork. Right now I am surrounded by knitting wip's!

Those anemone blooms are beautifully translated in your embroidery.

I was lucky to have the day off yesterday when we in NYC received our largest snowfall of this winter. Today I return to work and will dress in many layers...it's well below freezing.

xo

gillyflower said...

Such a gorgeous quilt Helen!

Erna said...

Love the heart..and I'm happy for you your book will be in so many languages...
I showed my copy to someone from work this afternoon... she loved it.
Hugs
Erna x

Gracie Saylor said...

Glimpses of colorful inspirations for projects, projects in process, projects completed, and books of projects now shared in other languages, whilst your narrative admits to you still be searching for the safe places you have stashed former projects waiting in the wings to come on stage once more, makes another post I count as dear, delightful, and inspiring. Thanks, Helen! xx

claire said...

oooh cross stitched anemones ;))))))

Things and Thoughts said...

Your creations are irresistible Helen! What can I say? The little heart is exquisite! You are a real source of inspiration! Thank you !

sky-blu-pink said...

Pretty patchworks indeed! And congratulations on the translations! Jane Brocket's new quilting book is inspiring me at the moment.

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hi Helen..I'm having trouble leaving my comments in the pop up boxes so I'm keeping my fingers crossed here!...Beautiful stars, they look so pretty in your fabrics and colours and I will always love those sweet little houses!
It's wonderful news that your book is being translated into different languages too...I'm so happy for you!
Hope you have a happy, creative weekend,
Susan x

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Dear Helen,
the star quilt you made looks so beautiful!
I just read that your book pretty patchwork gifts is already translated in german language.
Can we already buy it here in Germany?Thank you & hava a great weekend
Nicolexxx

Simone said...

A lovely post as always. I do hope that your lost items turn up! x

My Little Home and Garden said...

The stars are a treat for the eyes, Helen, and I love the floral stitching you've shown. There are so many lovely things I could learn to do; I like your idea of a row of houses along a window ledge.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

-Karen

Mia said...

I do love your starry quilt. What a lovely idea to make each star from a different fabric. And surrounding them with white hexes. Totally in love ;-) Looking forward to seeing it all finished.

Mia

Crafty in the Med said...

Dear Helen,
Love that star quilt it is impressive!
Coincidentally I have just recently gone back in to my copy of Pretty Patchwork Gifts' as I couldn't remember how to make fabric appliques. I am such a dunce where sewing is concerned and your instructions are really clear. Wonderful to hear your book is so successful.

keep well

Amanda :-)

koralee said...

Oh my goodness ...I have always loved your little houses! Especially with the pom poms...pure joy. Your heart is just darling as well my friend..you always inspire me. xoxox Hugs for a great new week.

Mokki said...

Hi, I'm new to you blog. Just wanted to say how pretty all of your work is, I've really enjoyed looking at your photos today. Thank you for sharing them.

anita said...

What a lovely blog you have!!
Greetings from Anita