Monday 10 November 2014

Crafty Colour

 It is bright and sunny here today but we have had our share of drab and dreary november days over the past week too.......and as always at those times i am so glad that  i work so much with colour in the form of paint, fabric and yarn...............
 .............i am still loving making these easy wrist warmers and playing with different colours for the stripes............the combination of pink and green stripes in this pair remind me of the colours on a favourite peruvian sweater i had years ago when my children were very young.........
                        ...............i wondered about adding a covered button to the cuff........
 ................or maybe some pom poms............i have been making these with the clever pom pom makers that i have in various sizes..............when i first got one of these clever little contraptions i did it wrong and ended up with just a heap of little bits of cut yarn...........but using it properly makes cute little pom poms very easily and making them can become a bit addictive...........
 ...............reminding me now of those 1950's children's cardigans knitted from cream wool with coloured flowers embroidered on them and two coloured pom poms dangling down from the top.....i would love one of those now..............
 ................wanting to play with brightly coloured yarn is why i learnt to crochet and i have had endless joy from the simplest of patterns.......my crochet knowledge is still rudimentary but it gives me the basics to play around with colour to my heart's content..........
 .................this week i have been sewing a colourful project for my book, and part of the 'work' for that involved sorting out some suitable buttons............i usually tip out the big jar so i can have a proper look through them...............other buttons are kept in smaller boxes and bags...........i must spend hours over the crafty year sorting through buttons to choose the right ones for a project and i often buy more when i see some i love.......
 ..................i took this picture of the pincushion just because i loved the colourful little pinheads catching the light.............still loving the little things here again this week ;)...........
 ...............i have been folding up the quilts and stashing the more summery ones away in the quilt cupboard while getting out the wintry ones to add to the crochet blankets for the chilly season......

 .............below is a quick picture of my desk where i will be working on some illustrations this week, drawing a project and some of the steps for it............i use a white china plate as my palette, and a big old well washed out pickle jar for my paint water..........good quality paper, pencils, pens, a good quality pointy new brush............that is all..........i lose myself when drawing just as i do making creative projects...........if i have left the dinner cooking i have to make sure i keep a timer near by.....
 .................more crochet in the evenings.............more pom pom making in the near future too i am sure............my little rosy churndash quilt is almost finished and i hope to show it to you soon......
                                                ................(maybe this button?)..............
............thank you for visiting me here lovely readers, and for your very kind comments too.........such a pleasure to hear from you and to be able visit you in return.......i do love this world of bloggers and getting to know so many other crafters and learning a little about their lives, homes and makes..............wishing you all a very happy, crafty, colourful week...........keep cosy......back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

57 comments:

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Beautiful colours, your wrist warmers are a delight :) I am the same with buttons, bits and bibs in little jars and a big old tin that draws me to it like a magnet!
Have a lovely week,
Jillxo

Lynn said...

Hi Helen what is the stitch in your warmers please?

Jane said...

Your wrist warmers are the most heavenly colour combination, pinks and greens are always a winner for me. I recently bought one of the pom pom making gizmos and find it quite addictive! Have a super week Helen xx

Little Crochet said...

A lovely post, full of gorgeous, uplifting colours. Thank you!

Jane said...

What beautiful colours you have used Helen in your crochet. I love the fact that your palette is a simple plate and your water just a jar...perfect! Enjoy your creating xx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

It started off bright here this morning but unfortunately it has now got very dull, so your jolly colourful post is very welcome Helen!
I love the little buttons on your mitts and I know how addictive those pompom makers can be.
Enjoy your painting.
V x

Gillian said...

I love the wee pom poms and think they would look really well with the wrist warmers. You have a quilt cupboard! I wish I had enough quilts or blankets to warrant a cupboard of their own!!

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! Love your latest wrist warmers, the colours are really cheerful and I think the pom poms are lovely! I am looking forward to you finishing your new book... I have your others and I love them! :) xx

Susan said...

Thank you for another wonderful and cheeerful post. I too love pink and green. I vote for the pom poms. :) I've never tried a pom pom maker but suddenly feel the urge to rush out and buy one, but I will resist for now. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen! The last button is perfect - green and pink look so sweet! I use lot of time also sometimes finding the right button. Fortunately got now big bag for my bracelet makings - but not so fun like yours because they are Metal. I think today after posting about my NEW quilt Top, I shall finally make the wrist warmes because I need them even we have still almost summer. Hugs! x Teje

Things and Thoughts said...

You know very well how to match colors and items Helen. All things you create are really so beautiful and precious as they are the outcome of your inspiration and personal job. You make all people happy!!!
Hugs
Olympia

Ingrid Orens said...

Such sweet and soft colours !! Almost feels like spring...
Love your wristwarmers - you can never have enough of them :-) !
(And what a cute button, the scissors-shaped green button ;-)))

Ana Love Craft said...

Hi dear Helen! I always love your colours choices, they cheer up any dark day!The pom poms are so lovely. I also love buttons and I have many little boxes with them.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

scrappyjacky said...

I'm loving those beautiful colours....and I do love pom poms....I remember those cardigans well!!

Eight By Six said...

love the colours, you always make it look so easy :-) and pom poms, I must dig out my pom pom makers to make snow men this year, saw it on Pinterest

Art and Sand said...

I never tire of looking at your sweet projects and your lovely use of color.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh how I love Monday with you Helen. Your colors and projects and quilt and pictures make me smile. I do not crochet but I knit. I must find a wrist warmer pattern. Your's are such a delight. Pom, poms, I love them. I would love to have a basket full! Have a wonderful week. See you next Monday!

Amy at love made my home said...

Stripey wrist warmers must be thing to wear this year mustn't they! We obviously have the same taste. I think that you should add the pom poms, they are so cute!! xx

Simone said...

Wonderful, lovely crafty makes! I think pom poms would make the perfect embellishment for your stripey wrist warmers - buttons would be good too!!! x

Unknown said...

I always enjoy your blog, such lovely colours, you wrist warmers remind me of sweetpeas. Thanks again, caro nz

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Pinks and greens my favorite Helen!!! Lovely wrist warmers and so many options for embellishments. Pompoms are so fun to make, I've never made covered buttons....although I have a kit to do so. I will have to give it a try sometime : )
Love your watercolor setup, thanks for sharing!
Have a great week, xoRobin

Hazel said...

What gorgeous colours those wristies are. I adore the pompoms. They look very retro. x

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen,
das sieht ja wieder schön aus bei dir. Ich finde die Knöpfe auf den Pulswärmern sehr schön. Das geben bestimmt tolle Weihnachtsgeschenke.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

Mia said...

I'm rather envious of your sunny day, as all we seem to get at the moment is the wet dreary kind. I'm not so fond of November ;-)

Love the colours of your writs warmers, and the sight of your pretty colourful quilts in the cupboard really did lift my spirits.

Mia

cristina said...

I looooove your wrist warmers! and your photos and all your posts!
And the wooden box with colored wool is so beautiful! your blog is always inspiring! I want to thanks your comments on my blog, Helen. I think you are a extremely busy person and your blog receives many visits every day. I thank you that you spend a little time on my blog. You make me very happy! thanks for everything, Helen! have a nice day and happy crocheting!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love seeing your quilts so neatly stacked. You choose such cheerful colors for all of your projects and surround yourself with beautiful things. I love the little pom poms! I need to learn to make those! Sweet hugs, Diane

Cream Linen said...

Helen hello,
I was inspired by your wristwarmers and I made a pair for me, too. I used one colour only (a grey one), but I want to make another pair , colourful and bright this time.
I , too adore beautiful buttons , though they are not so easy to find here.
Love and wishes from Greece,
Tina xxxx

Susan said...

Your pastel blues, greens and pinks are just lovely! And who doesn't love a pom-pom! I remember owning a hand knitted cardigan with dangling pompoms too!

Rhona said...

I just LOVE the colours of your yarn! Being able to play with colours is one of the best parts of life isn't it! :) I think I like the idea of the pompoms on your wrist warmers, the texture of them would be great.
Have a great (and warm) week!

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Helen!
It's always lovely to come and visit your little crafty corner, your buttons and pin cushions are so cute, and the quilts look so cosy!!!
Have a wonderful week!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Miss said...

I am definitely buttons!!!
I love your fabric buttons.
And bright colours are essential for this season.
Miss. Xx

crazydazy said...

Your life is definitely full of beautiful cheerfull colours. The covered button looks well with the wristwarmers.....I think.

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...

As usual, LOVE your post today! My fave colors are pink and green, but I love the blues added.. they make a whole new look. I'd never seen or heard of wrist warmers before you! I have some knitted leg warmers which I love. Are wrist warmers just for decoration or do they perform some sort of magic warming?? :-) No matter what, I love them. Love to crochet too and spend my time making mug mats or center pieces for my table or to put under pots and doo dads. I used to knit hen I was a girl, my mom taught me, and I made many sweaters! I sold a bunch of them to buy my first horse. In later years, I taught myself to crochet, as it seemed easier on my wrists. I always look forward to your wonderful posts.

Lorrie said...

Pompoms are the cheeriest little things. Love the glimpses of your work table and the bits and pieces of your work. So cheery.

Canteiro de Ideias said...

Loved it!!!

Carla said...

All the pretty things! Can hardly contain myself ; )

Unknown said...

I love your post, dear Helen!
Beautiful colours you have used.
Have a great week...
Hugs, Deborah

homemade@myplace said...

your wrist warmers made me smile in a gloomy day !!!!
xxxxxx Ale

Jennifer Hays said...

I think it's your talent with color almost as much as your talent with fabrics and patterns that just draws me in whenever I visit. I feel so cheered and uplifted when I look at your creations. The wristwarmers are very pretty and they also remind me of a shirt I used to have! Pastels make me very happy. I loved seeing your quilts stacked up like that too, what a beautiful collection, so lovingly made and cared for.

Thimbleanna said...

Ahhhh. It's such a pleasure to visit your little corner of the world -- your colors are always so pleasing and soothing. And just so. darn. pretty!

Chrysalis said...

What a lovely, cheery and colourful post! Perfect for a November day. I like the idea of buttons on the ww's. Hugs xx

sew said...

Not having commented for ages due to unexpected house move & much turmoil,I had to say how I love this post and its colours. I have continued to read all your blogs and LOVE that little dog! I had to say farewell to my Westie a while ago and miss her so much - what a character!Don't you just love those pompom makers? I wish they'd been invented sooner to avoid all those cardboard circles! I've made a pompom rug to use up left over yarn from a blanket. My granddaughter loves the feeling of it on her little feet!

gillyflower said...

Those sweet little pom poms are gorgeous and will go beautifully with the latest pretty striped wrist warmers if you can decide between them and the pretty button! Decisions, decisions!
Must get one of those little pom pom makers I think.
Hope you had a happy day painting Helen, and wishing you a lovely colourful and creative week!
Gill xx

Unknown said...

What yummy colours!!! Just love it!!! I really really need one of those little pom pom gadgets!!!! It looks like quite a nifty little gadget!!!!!!! Have a fab week!!!
Love
AMarie
xxx

Madelief said...

Hi Helen,

I can imagine the bright colours of your yarn make you happy on dreary Autumn days. It works the same with me. Now that I no longer have flowers in bloom in my garden, I picked up my crochet needle again to bring some colour in my life.

Have a lovely evening!

Madelief x

Teresa Kasner said...

Such pretty colors! I am definitely going to make some wrist warmers like yours. I'm off to swim with Gracie! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracie Saylor said...

Helen! I have somehow missed you posts of late. As always I love how you use color in your projects, but today I am especially admiring your pom poms. They are not just pretty colors, but they are terrifically tidy. The pom poms I made for my last two bunnies' tails are topsy turvy in comparison :) Perhaps I should invest in a pom pom maker! xx

Annie Cholewa said...

May I say, as someone who simply can't make a pompom, even with a fancy bit of kit to help me, kudos ... these tiny fluffy morsels will look perfect with your mitts.

moonstruckcreations said...

I remember those 1950s cardigans, I had one passed down to me from my slightly older cousin -I used to think I was the bees knees in it!!

Love all your projects, so pretty and cosy.

Helenxx

My Little Home and Garden said...

I love seeing your yarn projects, of course, and was happy to see your painting area set up and ready to go. I'm in awe of those who can draw and paint and hope that you will choose to show more of that talent. So many creative skills you have, Helen! Delightful.

Have a lovely week.

Karen

vintage grey said...

Such gorgeous colors in your wrist warmers!! And, such cute buttons! Wishing you a lovely and creative week on your illustrations! xo Heather

Lee said...

Hi Helen,I Love the wrist warmers,I love bright colours too.All your creations are Amazing.Is there shaping to the wrist warmers or is it just double crochet and sew up the sides.You are such an inspiration.I collect buttons am addicted lol.Happy creating.x

Lee said...

Hi,Just scrolled down,found post of your pretty wristies so know how to make them thank you,fab creations.xx

susan said...

I just found your blog and have enjoyed going through many of your older posts. I love the colors you use - the pink, green and blue wrist warmers are lovely. I also love the red and white quilt in your previous post, just beautiful. You have a new follower, Helen!

Anonymous said...

You are fantastic.
Every craft that you create is lovely.


Dorothy xox

claire said...

i feel inspired to make a pair now.

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

I love your wrist warmers and the button really goes well with it. It is the little embellishments that take items to the next level and make them so special, I think.