Monday 19 January 2015

Studio Days

 These are good days to be indoors and working in my studio....it is cold and icy outside and the pond is frozen......a little walk with molly is taken at a quick pace, and then it is back to my cosy studio again and on with the illustrations......
 ................i now have a little fire in here for extra warmth and i love it....mr p gave it to me :)....
............it means i can work without getting chilly or wearing too many layers....even though i always wear quite a few compared to lots of people.......the wrist warmers i made before christmas are proving useful these days......here are a few more pictures of my studio.......
 ..........i always love to have flowers around especially tulips and hyacinths............

 ..............and a bright quilt to look at too....this is the rosy churn dash mini quilt which is now finished.....i added some buttons to the white corner stones, backed it with white kona cotton and used the same white for the binding.....i am planning to hang this on the wall but haven't decided where just yet.....

 ..................in my last post i showed this angelsey cushion and a lot of lovely readers have asked about it.........the fabric was designed by the talented janet bell and this is actually a tea towel from the janet bell gallery.....(i bought a red and white one too that i gave away as a present)........
 ..........i bought this last summer but decided it was too nice to use in the kitchen and by some simple sewing i turned it into a cushion to enjoy in my studio all year round.......the place names remind me of our summer visits to the sunny isle of angelsey for the sailing regatta and happy family times....
 .............when i have finished drawing and painting for the day i am enjoying some cosy crochet....
 ..............the colours for this new blanket were inspired by the ones i recently used in a pair of wrist warmers.....and i plan to do a stripy border for this blanket using them in the same combination.........winter evenings and crochet go so well together somehow........

 ............the pinks in this pattern are reminding me of marshmallows, some of which i always have in the cupboard as charlie and daisy love them, especially the mini ones.........the yarn i have used here is all stylecraft special dk.........
...............thank you for visiting me here, dear readers, and for your lovely comments and kind wishes too.......(our grandbaby rhys is thriving and we had some lovely cuddles with him at the weekend).........thank you too for those who have emailed me with craft queries......if i haven't replied to you yet i will very soon :).............wishing you all a wonderful week with happy times and lots of crafty inspirations.......back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

55 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

I love the pretty crochet squares. I have just treated myself to some new crochet hooks, can't wait for them to arrive
Julie xxxx

homemade@myplace said...

love the blanket!!!
xxxxx ale

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Happy Monday my Lovely Helen, Such a bright and inspiring post! Love, no "really" love your new granny square blanket on the hook. Colors are so fresh and clean and yummy. Love your new stove, I had one of those in my old house and it was fabulous. (mine was red) I would love to see you painting your illustrations! Flowers flowers everywhere, so important to set the tone of creativity : )
You and molly stay cosy and have a wonderful week, xoRobin

Annerose said...

Gemütlich ist es in deinem Studio, danke für den einblick und der Frühling lässt auch schon grüßen. Ich mag Tulpen auch sehr gerne.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, thank you again for a lovely post! Happens that same flowers are my favourites but seldom I have them. Great idea to use tea towel for pillow. I have made table cloth but now I have good idea for pillow. Your crochet looks really sweet! Have a lovely week! x Teje

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

How lovely to have your own space to create all that gorgeousness! :) xxx

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! What a beautiful studio you have to work in and I love the warmth the fire adds! What a beautiful new quilt and another fabulous crocheted blanket. Such beautiful colours! Have a lovely week! xx

Kate said...

Helen, your post is 'colour therapy'! :) You have a lovely studio and I so admire all that you create.

Mickie said...

Helen,
I love your studio pictures, but would like to see more of them. My studio is white also as I like the clean look of white. I will admit mine is not always so neat as yours looks. Your lovely hand makes are always so inspiring, and I get many ideas from your posts.
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, Indiana USA

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Clever idea with the tea towel :) Thr crochet squares are such a yummy colour, reminds me of candy floss :)
Jillxo

greenrabbitdesigns said...

What a lovely cosy space to work, I would quite like one of those little stoves myself. :)
Beautiful quilt and gorgeous crochet, lovely sugary colours.
Your little illustrations are so pretty. :)
Have a lovely week Helen,
V x

Magda said...

I like your optimistic and colorful work :) the studio looks very nice, cozy and sunny
greetings from Poland :)

Thimbleanna said...

Ahhh. {Sigh.} I always feel so refreshed after a visit to your blog. Your pictures are always so fresh and pretty -- I feel like I could look out the window and it would be a beautiful spring day!

Rhona said...

The flowers really do brighten up any space and the warmth of your fire must make it heaven to work in your studio! (can you hear the jealousy!!!!) I love the colours of your granny squares - you always pick the most wonderful colour combinations! Glad to hear that your grandbaby is thriving and that you had some cuddles with him.

Jennifer Hays said...

Your studio is so pretty and I can see why you can't wait to get back to it whenever you leave. I'm sure the weather motivates you too. I love your quilt and your crochet. The cushion is very pretty and clever. I hope you have a wonderful week, keep warm!

sew said...

I'm crocheting a hot water bottle cover for a friend at the moment but your flowers and crochet colours make me think of Spring - yet your lovely little stove is just like one I saw this very morning in a fireplace shop in Chester where I was on the hunt for some extra source of heat!!
The hyacinths currently residing on my kitchen table sadly have no scent at all - I've never known this before but they're pink & pretty anyway.
Glad to hear about baby Rhys and your recent cuddle - nothing quite like it :)


scrappyjacky said...

Loving all your bright colours....they almost make me forget that we are in the depths of winter here.
The crochet squares look gorgeous.

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

I love what you did with your tea towel, it;s such a lovely shade too! I expect you are lovely & cosy with your wood stove. x

cristina said...

I like tulips and hyacinths! but I have not any tulip ..... The blanket that you're doing is beautiful! As always, your blog brightens my day! Hugs and kisses from Catalonia!

Things and Thoughts said...

Independently of the outdoor conditions, you have spring in your studio Helen, constantly and permanently .. You do miracles my friend!
Happy new week!
Olympia

Unknown said...

I love your blog Helen, it's such a lovely bright space! Love the idea of turning a tea towel into a cushion, it was definitely too pretty for the kitchen! Lil xx

Jane said...

What a cozy fire you have now in your studio Helen. Your colours are so bright and cheerful today and warm up a very chilly evening here. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed lots of cuddles with Rhys. Have a lovely week xx

Amy at love made my home said...

Such wonderful moments in your studio. Glad that you have that wonderful stove to keep you warm in this cold weather. Being warm makes all the difference doesn't it! xx

20 North Ora said...

Love all of your bright and cheerful colors in this cold weather. We've actually been very lucky for the last few days - warm temps. Loving it!

Judy

mrsmcbee said...

Love the colors of your new grannie!! So soft and springy looking!! Is that a real fireplace? Wow that is really neat, would love one in my studio, I also dress in layers but it can get kinda binding sometimes..Love, love, love your blog!!

Frances said...

Helen, it's grand to see that you now have a source to give your studio a little extra heat during these winter months. It does made a difference, I am sure.

(I also recommend a collection of underpinning garments in a fabric/yarn called heattech, that is sold, at very attractive prices, by the uniqlo company. It really works!

On my afternoon walk, I checked in at my favorite neighborhood flower shop and learned that they will have some potted hyacinths available next week. I can't wait!

xo

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello my friend.. your white stove is so pretty with all your other white background and furniture. It makes all your pretty colors pop out so beautifully! Someday I need to get my studio tidied up and maybe paint something white. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

A little happy place said...

Everything looks so pretty in your studio...mine looks like a bomb has hit...I really must tidy up!! have a good week! Sarah xo

Helle said...

oh Helen I just love everything in your studio, I would like to have a space like that. Your new crochet blanket looks so cosy and brightful....love your colors.

Olivia said...

Hi Helen, I have been an avid reader of your blog for a while now. It is always so very beautiful and inspiring. You are such a clever lady. I love your new crochet blanket - would you be able to tell me what Stylecraft colours you are using? It would be so helpful as I have been trying to decide on colours for a blanket for my little girl and these would be just perfect. Now that I have seen yours I am itching to get started..... And along with so many other people, I would love to have my own creative space just like yours, and my, that fire looks amazingly cosy. Olivia x

Rita said...

Would you please give a list of granny square colors so I could make one too. Thank you so much. So beautiful!! teach4life1@gmail.com

Maddalena said...

I love your beautiful studio ! The colors for the blanket are so sweet !
Have a nice day
Maddy

Olivia said...

Ooh, sorry, didn't give you my email address....obruton@hotmail.com
Thank you, Olivia

Simone said...

The studio looks very inviting Helen. The white stove is appealing too especially on a cold day like today! I love to see all the things you make and the lovely items you surround yourself with. Have a lovely week. x

Marta said...

E' sempre bello e accogliente passare a visitare il tuo blog. Complimenti per tutte le tue creazioni. Ciao

Gillian said...

That's a great idea to make the tea towel into a cushion. Your blanket is lovely - looks good enough to eat! I love to crochet on a winter evening but then again I just love to crochet any time.

Zwergenwelt said...

Hello Helen,
beautiful springtime in your studio, I love the grannies and the springtime colours! Have a wonderful week, cornelia

Sigrun said...

What a wonderful fabric for the cushion! I would like it in creme/brown.
You are very buisy in the moment - pretty grannys!

Sigrun

Ana Love Craft said...

Hello dear Helen! Wonderful studio, everything looks so cozy and cheerful! I love your crocheted blanket and your quilt.
Have a great week!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Pretty wall quilt and lovely crochet. I'd like to have that little furnace right now as it is quite chilly in these concrete buildings. I always have layers on and sometimes it's still not enough. Warm wishes, Tammy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Flowers and pretty colors brighten cold wintry days. You always have such good light in your work area. Enjoy your day my friend! Stay warm! Hugs, Diane

Erna said...

Cheerful as always...
Hugs
Erna

vintage grey said...

Your studio is so charming and beautiful! Love the sweet mini quilt and the detailing in it! And, the new blanket colors are so yummy! Wishing you a crafty and cozy week! xo Heather

Anonymous said...

Your studio is so bright and cheerful! Love the colors in your blanket. Enjoyed your blog and am a new follower from Colorado.

Cream Linen said...

What a pretty studio you have and how bright it looks!
I love the white stove, too.
I would really like to see your illustrations finished as I also paint and I love seeing the work of talented people like you.
Love from Athens,
Tina

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Happy to hear your grandson is well and growing fast!

I believe we are having the same sort of weather. The last couple of days, the weather in The Netherlands has been perfect as well for working inside.

You made some lovely things!

Happy weekend!

Madelief x

Lee said...

Love your studio so pretty,great fire too.Your blanket is going to be soooo beautiful I love the colour combo.I have posted pics of my walks with mad Baz the collie.xx

My Little Home and Garden said...

What a beautiful (and functional) source of heat for your studio, Helen. It's always a treat to see your projects and I love to see bits of your painting as well as other delights. So much cleverness with your fingers!

Have a lovely week, Helen.

Karen

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Helen!

I love the new blanket you are making!!

The colours are happy and remind me of spring to come... though at the moment we had snow!

Enjoy your week!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

barbara said...

black and white checked curtains are the best!
even though our windows mostly have shutters I'm looking around to see where I can put some ... :)
Lovely to hear all baby news and the one week photo
enjoy this magic time
Barbara x

Viola said...

What a bright and cheerful post! The fabric is awesome, I live in a small town with no possibility to buy fabric. And I do not sew often enough to order online. But seeing your beautiful pictures may tempt me to change my mind.
Your crochet blanket is wonderful, I've never dared to start with a granny blanket, I fear all those ends. Have a nice evening, Viola

Unknown said...

my i ask what pattern you have used for the granny squares….they are lovely :)

Joy said...

Hello lovely Helen - I just popped in to say a quick hello after my blogging break and to admire once again all your beautiful makes and catch up with your sweet happenings! Everything is as beautiful as ever here and thank you for sharing it all! xoJoy

Mia said...

Hello Helen,


Loved all the marshmallow-y pinkness in this post, that little blanket is so so sweet! This post was again so full of spring-happiness, thank you so much for sharing!

Yours,
Mia

Unknown said...

Would you please give a list of granny square colors so I could make one too. Thank you so much. So beautiful!!
happy wheels
super mario bros
pacman
agario