Tuesday 11 February 2014

Springtime Hearts

 As it is valentine's day this week, i thought i'd show you some fabric hearts i've made.......first though  is a picture of the chair in my studio, with the amazing book i've been engrossed in lately *the goldfinch* by donna tartt..............
............and folded beneath it is the new quilt top i have almost finished, just waiting for the border and backing fabric to arrive and then i can begin the quilting and show some more pictures............
 ............i often make hearts for design commissions, they are always popular to make and to give, and there are so many ways to decorate them..............i made these two using pretty lecien old new fabric, just using the wide lace effect blue and white border to make the hearts (and fussy cutting them so the lace edge appeared in the right place)............then i used bondaweb to applique the floral posies, cut from another lecien print.................
 ..........hanging in the window of my sewing room where the long string of birds usually hangs.....
      .............here are some of the ready to iron-on flower posies i made earlier...............
 ...........some printed fabrics are so decorative that you can just fussy cut them, sew the heart, add a little pearl bead and some ribbon and they are cute just like that.............i have found some faux old keys lately which look nice with old book pages, pretty hearts and ribbons for springtime gifts.......
 ............like many of you, i have hearts hanging here and there around the house, and like to tuck lavender hearts in among the clean sheets in the linen cupboard.............
...........i keep a basket filled with hearts to add to gifts for family and friends, they can use them as lavender bags or pincushions or just for decoration........each batch is different because i use new fabrics, or vintage fabrics, and different ribbons and decorations each time so they are varied and interesting to create..............( all the hearts here were made from the sewing heart template in my pretty patchwork gifts book).............
 .........these hearts are stuffed with dried lavender from last summer's plants in our garden............
 ..............below is another ck cutlery tray that i found in my tidying up and painted with some of the sky blue paint i used for the doll's bed..............now i have a pink tray and a blue tray and find them so useful for keeping all the bits of a craft project together, especially small paper pieces, cotton reels, scissors and buttons.............

 ...............here is my project in this month's cross stitch collection magazine...........a little dream cottage set in a spring garden surrounded with a flowery border..............it was inspired by house and garden samplers from the past, but stitched in bright fresh springtime colours..............
 .................in this issue there is also an interview with me by the lovely jo ryan, all about my work and crafting life..............find out more about cross stitch collection here.............
.............thank you for coming over to my little bit of blogland, lovely readers, it is a pleasure to see you here and to read your lovely comments too............i hope you have a lovely valentine's day and a sunny, happy and crafty week...................back soon xxxxxxxxxoooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxx

58 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi my dear friend, this post is full of spring colors, just perfect i love the hearths :)
Blessings from the sea
Nina

Amanda Peters said...

Lovely post full of colour, just what I needed on this dull day ...Thank you

Jilly said...

Such beautiful fabrics for your lovely hearts, the lacy fussy cutting is perfect. Thank you for brightening my day. Jilly x

Anonymous said...

Love your new hearts with the lacy edge and pretty flowers! And can't wait to see your completed quilt, the teaser look at it is so pretty. Hope you have a happy Valentine's Day, Helen!

Mary

KC'sCourt! said...

I love reading your blog post, they are always full of sunshine. Love the hearts
Julie xxxxxxxx

homemade@myplace said...

beautiful lovely hearts!!!!!
xxxxx Ale

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

So pretty Helen, love your floral hearts!! I can't wait till spring gets here!!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lots of pretty hearts, you are clever Helen!!!
Your quilt top looks amazing and I love your little cross stitch, so sweet!!
Wishing you a happy valentines day too!
V xxx

Jenn M said...

It's almost like Spring year round at your place with all the pretty colours! Lovely job on the hearts and I can't wait to see the quilt when finished.
Have a wonderful week!

Jenn

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

A breath of Springtime in your beautiful post Helen. Loving all the hearts, spring colors and your photo displays! Congratulations with another stunning collection in cross stitch magazine. We do get it here in the states but always a month behind! Happy ❤ Day dear Helen, xoRobin

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The pretty fabrics you use sure make everything special! I need to make some hearts now! Enjoy your day my friend!

Betty said...

As someone who likes to collect hearts yours is so pretty. I love the fabrics you chose to make them and the one with the key is so cute.

gillyflower said...

Your fabric hearts are very pretty Helen, the applique flowers add a lovely touch!
Clear blue and pink are always such a cheerful mix, and I love anything with hearts and roses!
Super cross stitch design, so pretty!
Thanks for a lovely post full of spring colour and pretty fabrics Helen
Gill xx

Cindy said...

Such pretty hearts! I like the idea of fussy cutting the flowers for them. Have a great Valentine's Day!

RedSetter said...

Those little hearts are magnificent, so sweet and fresh. Congrats on your magazine article too.

Vintage Tea Time said...

The hearts are lovely - so pretty! I might read the Donna Tartt book next - just reading Kate Atkinson's Life after Life; she has a great way with words. Have a good week. Abby x

scrappyjacky said...

Love the pretty hearts...the fabrics are lovely and feel so Springlike.

Anonymous said...

Dear Helen, your post is again so beautiful and isnpiring! I love your hearts and wooden boxes! Now I just need to start making little lavendar hearts and paint my old wooden box. Thank you for a lovely moment! x Teje

sweetpea family said...

Hi Helen I love your hearts and have recently made some using your pattern. I love the idea of stuffing them from the back it keeps the lovely heart shape so well. Hope you have a good week x

Pat said...

Beautiful hearts! Would make lovely gifts to make heart-warming memories!
Have a sunny week
Pat xx

vintage grey said...

Your hearts are so beautiful Helen!! I always love seeing them! Happy Valentine's Day to you! Have a wonderful week! xo Heather

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Oh I adore your hearts Helen! Such beauty and colour. I love the idea of cutting around flower shapes putting those on top. My plan is to get to grips with my sewing machine around June. I have set myself a goal and am slightly nervous about it! In the meantime i'm trying to get to grips with knitting. I'm incredibly slow and it's taking FOREVER. Give me crochet any day. I love it's speed of growth!!!!!!

Always a pleasure to visit here Helen and I hope that you have a super rest of a week.

Take care

Vanessa xxx

Amy at love made my home said...

Your hearts are so lovely Helen and I like your repurposing of the cutlery tray - an ideal catch all for your tools and things while you are working! So clever! xx

Unknown said...

Your hearts scream: SPRING is in the air.
They are so pretty and they lift my spirits.

At this moment I’m rather down in the dumps, since I had this bet with my friend. I ‘m being punished for bragging in the company of my dearest friend it would be easy enough to get 222 followers by 22/2.
This date is getting awfully close and I haven’t even reached 200 followers. That serves me right.
Anyone out there who can help me out of my misery?
Obiously, there is something for you in it as well: I crafted two colourfull presents. Have a look:
http://homeiswherethedachshundis.blogspot.be/2014/02/giveaway-willie-whale-and-pocheke.html

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for your lovely Valentine Post, Helen! As rain melts the snow and ice left behind by Storm Orion here in Boring, Oregon, glimpses of your bowl full of sweet hearts and, your Spring garden sampler are especially colorful and cheering :) I think you are quite ambitious to tackle reading The Goldfinch, although from the synopsis I read of it, it certainly sounds engrossing! I just downloaded the UK edition of Jane Brocket's The Art of Domesticity and have enjoyed the introduction and her discussion about inspiration, which reminds me that visiting your posts and books is consistently a source of inspiration for me, Helen, for which I am grateful. Wishing you and yours a happy, creative week xx

crazydazy said...

your hearts are sooo pretty!

By Neymes said...

BEAUTIFUL!!

Gracie Saylor said...

PS. Helen, I just bought and downloaded a copy of Cross-stitch Collection's March magazine and very much enjoyed reading the interview of you! I love the pattern you shared, and am excited to think I can access it through cyberspace...AMAZING :) xx

Christine B said...

Another beautiful post Helen, reading your blog always brightens my day! :) Thank you!

Jennifer Hays said...

Oh, how beautiful. You have an impeccable sense of color and style, Helen.

sky-blu-pink said...

The cutlery tray looks fab in that lovely fresh blue, and the floral appliqué on the hearts is a genius idea!

Ladybird Diaries said...

Such a pretty, fresh and spring like post! Love your hearts they are so pretty.
Marianne x

Jane said...

Your parcels must look and smell wonderful Helen with your hand made hearts, a perfect finishing touch. What fun to be interviewed for the magazine. Have a lovely Valentine's week x

Unknown said...

Such pretty little hearts, I've made the ones from your Pretty Patchwork Gifts, but now I want to try these with the fussy cutting! Speaking of the book, it is coming in very handy as I embark on an easy drawstring bag for my youngest's ballet gear...I'll be posting about it soon, I hope! :-) Thank you for your inspiration, as always! Chrissie x

Lorrie said...

Such pretty hearts you've created. Love the Lecien fabrics. Not much sun forecast around here this week, and I don't know about the crafting either, as a new little one is likely to appear to our son and DIL any day now. So exciting.

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello Helen.. I am alway happy when I see you've posted.. your blog is full of such pretty and happy colors. I also love hearts very much.. I wish you'd won my crocheted heart giveaway! Maybe someday we could trade? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

justpootling said...

A lovely Springtime post Helen, and I would love to be a visitor to yours if I came a way with one of your gorgeous hearts ! That is such a lovely idea.
Have a good day,
Kate x

Crafted by Carly said...

The hearts are so pretty, Helen! What a lovely Valentine's post!
Can't wait to see the quilt.....
Carly
x

Hannapat said...

Such a gorgeous and cheery post Helen and I absolutely LOVE the fabric that you have chosen for your pretty hearts. I love love love! Enjoy your week xoxo

Heldasland said...

You have a wonderful eye at choosing fabric , it is all so stunning. Those hearts are gorgeous, wow you are super talented

Simone said...

Wonderful talented Helen. You never fail to raise my spirits. I love the idea of a basket full of hearts ready for gift giving. You have a huge heart!!! x

claire said...

what a lovely spot of sunshine on a grey day -thank you for all your bright cheery photos. You'll not be surprised to hear that im three quarters of the way through the same bk - its a good 'un :)

Art and Sand said...

I am in love with every photo in your post.

Is the bunny a pattern? I am looking for a fun bunny pattern to make for Easter.

A little happy place said...

Lovely hearts...you can never have too many in my book! Sarah xo

driftwood said...

happy valentines day to you too Helen, your hearts are oh so lovely x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

The colours in your new quilt are looking so fresh and beautiful Helen as is the gorgeous sky blue paint!
Love the appliqué on your pretty hearts (I agree that you can never have too many lavender hearts! :-) and your dresser is looking so lovely too Helen,
...and such a pretty magazine feature!
Happy Crafty Thursday,
Susan x

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, Happy Valentine's Day to you. Your hearts are lovely, and I think it is so sweet of you to keep them for your friends. Everything is a lovely shade of Spring! I like the little cross stitch cottage too. Much love, Linda x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

So pretty! I love hearts. Always nice to have something on hand to add to gifts. I do the same with crochet. Have been doing some small stitchings lately. Your new design is lovely. A friend in Lebanon is working on quite a large cross-stitching at the moment which she sent me a picture of. She loves doing houses. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Unknown said...

Lovely creative colourful photo's that make me feel happy on a dreary wet and wooly day. I've just finished listening to the audiobook of The Goldfinch - I was gripped! So cinematic in it's imagery. So glad to hve found your blog :)

http://asaucystitch.blogspot.co.uk/

Unknown said...

Hi Helen sorry I have not commented earlier as I did read your post on the day it came out but have been really busy. I love your hearts and am busy trying to make some now for my little Peeps. Yours, as always, are really adorable. I am also starting the little hexagon blanket from your book which is in the current Patchwork magazine which I got yesterday. As always Helen you are a true inspiration to me, I just love everything you make. Have a warm and toasty weekend, hope the weather is kind to you and you are keeping safe. Sending you big hugs and loves
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Annie Cholewa said...

Your designs are always sweet and light ... happy things!

My Little Home and Garden said...

The hearts are beautiful, Helen, and I found it interesting how you added the additional floral bits to them. They're so fresh and pretty, like spring blossoms.

Karen

flowers on my table said...

Many thanks for your kind comments Helen, we are all looking forward to the new arrival, due on 28th Feb. Enjoy your Sunday, love Linda x

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Love those gorgeously gorgeous fabric hearts and I have some fabric flowers cut our ready to appliquet onto something ..... this looks just like the thing to use them on :-) I hope you are and your family are all well and safe after all this terrible weather here in the UK. Take care Zoe x

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

I knew you would be up to something for Valentine's Day and look at your sweet hearts. I just found a place where I can order dried lavender and I've wanted to make sachets for so long.
My tray/box of sewing paraphernalia doesn't ever look as sweet as yours. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day.
Oh, I adore your little cottage. i have to read that book....several I know are reading it and so far the reports are good!

Stacey@ Cottage Stitches said...

I always love your hearts! I remember your sampler from your cross stitch book, I love it, so pretty!

Cat said...

so lovely!!! so accomplished you are!! is "bond-a-web" your choice bonding fusable?? I have not used it! Thank you for the wonderful inspirations, love your blog!
Cat

Unknown said...

Lovely post full of colour, just what I needed on this dull day ...Thank you
happy wheels
super mario bros
pacman
agario