Monday 15 September 2014

Dahlias and Evening Stars

 It is dahlia time here.....every week at this time of year i buy a bunch or two of dahlias from the old fashioned greengrocer's shop in our little town, and am always so pleased when i see they have a bucket full of green twine tied bunches of these bright blooms from a local grower...............
.............this time i got pinky purple pastel bunches.......sometimes it's a bright yellow and orange bunch and sometimes a mixture.....i love the shape of those solid little buds as well.............

 ............i cut the stems short sometimes to fit nicely into the smaller greengate jugs
 ............the pretty asters below were from a huge bunch that (younger daughter) rosie and chris kindly brought me at the weekend :) they came to stay and we went out for a lovely meal with (older daughter) sarah and gareth and the children to celebrate sarah's birthday................
 ............as well as birthday celebrations things have been very busy round here in other ways too.......
 ...........i am working on a new book with lots of new projects to create.....i have been busy making some fun things which i would love to show here but have to keep secret for now.......i can show you these new evening stars though...........i love this quilt block and decided it would be a good one to try out my new glue pen on for english paper piecing.............
 .............i bought my pen from sew and quilt here...........and i really like using it.....it is so neat and quick........
 ............i had already made a couple of these blocks and i think they will make a lovely on going project...........it is always fun to choose new fabrics from my stash and scrap bin for this kind of block.........here is the new quilt in progress............
 ..............and now here is a surprise for you..........and this is the main reason why i have been so busy.........meet molly..............she is a bolognese puppy and we have re homed her..........her loving owner sadly became suddenly ill and needed to find her a new home quickly and it just seemed that molly was meant to be ours..............it is many years since we had a puppy, as our last dog lived to be nearly eighteen..........
 ...............molly has settled in well with us and is such a sweet little personality, great with the children and fun loving but she has a calm and peaceful nature too.........
 ...............luckily she loves quilts..............possibly even more than i do :)..................
..............so we have spent lots of time in the autumn garden this week with this little pupster, at all times of the day, early morning and evening..............enjoying the autumn light and scents and sounds and the sight of a little puppy racing round after a ball again..........happy days.............
.............thank you for your kind comments on my autumn blanket, lovely readers, and for visiting me here in my little blog space........i wish you all a wonderful week wherever you may be in the world.....................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

43 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Oh Molly is gorgeous. Will we be seeing lots more of her? Love the Dahlias
Julie xxxxx

Cream Linen said...

Molly is a beauty. Thank you for sharing her photos with us.
Have a wonderful week.
Tina

Things and Thoughts said...

I love dahlias but they don't grow here, they need colder temperatures. They are really gorgeous and spectacular. I used to have a little dog exactly like Molly. So clever and friendly! Your posts fill my day with optimism and beauty Helen!
Olympia

homemade@myplace said...

lovely to have a new friend at home!!!! ;oD
xxxxxx Ale

Jennifer Hays said...

Molly is adorable! I'm so happy for all of you. She will have a wonderful new home with you. The dahlias are beautiful. I've gained a new appreciation for them in the past few years.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Congratulations on your new family member, Molly! She's a charmer.

Art and Sand said...

I can see why Molly loves quilts - that one is gorgeous.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh my, hello Molly, you are gorgeous!! :) What fun for you all! Well if Molly likes quilts she has certainly arrived at the right house!
Pretty flowers and pretty quilts as always Helen.
Have a good week,
V x

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You're working on a new boo? Oh, that's great news for us! And what a sweet puppy...have a fun week! Hugs!

flowers on my table said...

Oh congratulations Helen, Molly is adorable. I am sure Daisy is very pleased with the new arrival. Your patchwork is beautiful, and the gluepen very interesting! Much love, Linda x

flowers on my table said...

Oh sorry Helen, almost forgot the Dahlia's are divine. I have tried to grow them a couple of years now but they always get eaten alive. They are such a joy, especially at this time of year. Love Linda x

Ali said...

How cute is Molly - she is gorgeous!!! Loving all your photos too - so pretty as always xx

Elderberry-Rob said...

How beautiful the dahlias are - but even more so little Molly - she's delightful.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Molly is just adorable! Love your flowers, I need to check out the market next time I am there. I am in love with your blocks! You always pick out the prettiest color combinations. I look forward to your new book. If you decide to do a book blog hop, count me in to help!

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! Molly is beautiful such a cute little bundle!! I have two bichon havanese dogs, Poppy and Dexter and if Molly brings you as much joy as they bring me then you will be VERY happy!! Love your beautiful dahlias and the star quilt too and I can't wait to hear more about your new book!! I have three of your previous titles! :) x

Chrysalis said...

She is beautiful - as is all your work (as usual!!) x

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

You are right to enjoy those last few golden summer days! Wednesday is my day off work. I can't wait to spend it in the garden too! You have a lovely collection of dahlia's!

Beautiful blanket too!

Happy week!

Madelief x

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Helen, oh my goodness, what a cute little darling! How old is she? You're going to love having her. I adore your star quilt.. your quilts always so bright and pretty - they share your personality - and are fabulous! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Lilith said...

If I where a dog, I would love your quilts too. Today I saw a quilt in a charitiyshop, but not so nice as yours. The dog is cute!

Lilith

scrappyjacky said...

The puppy is gorgeous....as are your quilts....no wonder they go together so well.
Love your stars.

moonstruckcreations said...

That glue pen looks really good, hadn't heard of it before.

I love dahlias and asters, and those are such pretty colours.

And the puppy - just too cute! I am sure you will all have lots of fun!

Helenxx

Gracie Saylor said...

Your dahlias and quilt stars are so pretty, Helen, and please give fluffy Molly Dog welcoming love pats from me. xx

A little happy place said...

Hi Helen, trying so very hard to catch up on my blog reading after the summer and what a lovely post to read. Love as always your patchwork, I've been EPP over the summer, such a realxing way to spend a few hours. Molly, well what a sweetie, she is beautiful! Enjoy crafting for your book. Sarah xo

Cindy said...

What a cute puppy! We have always had cats, never a dog, but sometimes I think I might want one:)
Your star blocks are so pretty. I love that color combo. Are you EPP the whole thing?

driftwood said...

oh I love Dahlias. must grow some next year x

Ingrid Orens said...

Welcome Molly !!
She is so cute !!
I think she'll be a very happy little dog, so nice of you that you've rehomed her...
Ps your star quilt blocks are pretty !!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Sweet Helen, A new book and a new puppy how exciting!!! I wish you well with both : )
Love the dahlia's and your new evening stars and that glue pen, it looks very nifty!
Enjoy your darling puppy, I love puppies!
xoRobin

Simone said...

The dahlias are so cheerful and add a welcome splash of colour! I would have been tempted to rename your lovely puppy spaghetti as she is a 'bolgnese'! I am sure she will be very happy with you. x

Jane said...

Hi Helen, I love dahlias they are such brilliant cut flowers. Your evening star blocks are so pretty, looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. Molly is such a cutie, looks like a special quilt just for her is in order! Have a great week.
Jane x

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, I'm so happy to meet Molly! How wonderful you were able to take her and give her good NEW home! So sorry to hear about her owner. Your star blocks are adorable! x Teje

Unknown said...

Hello to Molly, what a cutie pie! Oh she looks so happy on your quilt! I think she may become a regular model in your photos...and what gorgeous dahlias! Happy times! Chrissie x

forgetmenotsblue said...

Lovely Molly so cute! I love dahlias you have some beautiful ones x

claire said...

Molly is cute x

Mokki said...

Molly is such a sweet little thing. The photo of her snuggling in your quilt is adorabke.

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

A new family addition and isn't she a cutie pie! Is she a puppy or an older dog? Is she trained already? She DOES love quilts...look at her. LOL! I've always said my animals found me, I didn't find them. You will have many happy times with that little one, I can tell.
A new book? You go girl! Awesome...can't wait!
Have you seen the diamond shaped hexies that end up joined to look like stars? I have some on my Pinterest quilting board if you haven't seen them. I thought of you when I saw them.
I have to go catch up again....I can't keep up! LOL!
Glad you had such a lovely time with your family too. Toodles!

Kay said...

Congrats on having a puppy to love, Molly is adorable. Looking forward to another wonderful book form you. x

Heldasland said...

Molly is so adorable. I love your work , every time I visit your blog you inspire me

Christine said...

oh your pictures have always been so wonderful and now you throw an adorable pup into the mix... I can't stand it. She is too cute. Congratulations on the new addition to your home.

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Oh my goodness Helen...Molly is just adorable!!...You are going to have so much fun together x
Your new blocks are beautiful too...I love the fabrics and the colours and such lovely photos of your dahlias!
Have a lovely new week,
Susan x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Oh lucky Molly has found the perfect home. How sweet she is. So sorry though to hear about her original owner. Those flowers are so very pretty. As is the beginning of your quilt. Today marks the start of Fall, though still hot as heck here. Wishing you a wonderful week. Tammy

Ana Love Craft said...

Oh sweet Molly!She is so gorgeous! The flowers are stunning and the blocs awesome.I'm very curious about your new book :)
Have a lovely week!
Ana x

Mia said...

Hello dear Helen,

Molly is simply gorgeous -congratulations on having such a sweet addition to your family! And how wonderful that she seems to love quilts too ;)

Lovely autumn-days to you all!

Yours,
Mia

Anonymous said...

Good job,
STEFANY.