Monday 8 June 2015

French Lavender

The french lavender is flowering in our garden now.......i love all types of lavender, for the colour and the scent and the useful properties of the oil...........and i love how it looks amongst the other plants.....
 ............here is some french lavender growing in the cutting garden, in front of the sweet pea canes (the sweetpeas are still tiny plants and i hoping they will soon grow a lot bigger).....
 ..........i read a magazine feature about french lavender the other day and in it the flowers were described as having bracts at the top that resembled 'bunny ears'.....no wonder i like it :).......
 ................and here are two bunnies, on the right violette the little bunny i made last year, inspired by our holiday in france (as regular readers may remember) and on the left is lavender bunny who i also made last year but haven't featured here till now.......it often happens that the bunnies multiply..........just as in real life........you can find the pattern for these bunnies in my book 'pretty patchwork gifts' here..................
 ..............we have pots of lavender in the potting shed................
 .................and some in jars and vases in the house..............
 ..................lavender bunny has her own little hexie patchwork quilt in progress...........

 ................i rediscovered the hexies i made last year and finally began sewing them together.....
 ...............i will show the little quilt here when it is finished.......
 ..................lavender bunny has a nice old fashioned pocket on her dress.....just right to tuck in a sprig of lavender, either fresh or dried, to carry the scent into the house......
 ................some more flowers in shades of lavender and lilac, in an old terracotta pot..........
 .............and on the back wall of the house the wisteria is growing so big with tumbling flowers all over it this year.....mister p has been carefully training for several years and now it is looking luxuriant just as we hoped when we planted it.........this window is my sewing room and if you look closely you can see my rather untidy table there ;)....................
 .................more lavender at the bottom of the garden..............and below is a picture of daisy's pretty birthday present.........a little bobbin strawberry bike..........she adores it and has been cycling round on it as much as she can since her birthday...............
 ................the geraniums in the basket are mine, i have lots blooming here at the moment and love the bright colours.......the english lavender is in bud here, a hazy blue which will soon look beautiful.......and all the roses are just beginning to open..........such a wonderful flowery time, it is hard to stay indoors and work when the sun shines and the garden beckons to me.....
..............thank you for dropping in to see me here in my little bit of blog land, dear readers, it is always a pleasure to see you and to read your kind words too.............wishing you a wonderful week with sunny happy crafty days..................back soon...................xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

52 comments:

Jennifer Hays said...

Hi Helen! I love lavender, it's one of the best things about summer, I think. I have lavender just outside my front door and I especially love it just after a good rain. Your bunnies are so pretty. Purple is my favorite color, any shade of it, really. Hope you have a good week. :)

Simone said...

I love the lavender and lilac hues in this post Helen. I bet your garden smells delightful! The bunnies are beautiful and I especially like the addition of a pocket to put in a few sprigs of dried flowers. The strawberry bike is adorable - do you think they do it in adult sizes too? That may just get me bike riding! x

Ali said...

So pretty as always xx

Janet said...

Lovely lavender, I can smell it from here.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lovely lavender post!
Lavender is my favorite scent of the summer season. Your workroom window framed by wisteria is a pattern waiting to happen.

Unknown said...

I want to be a bunny in your house so I can get my own quilt ;) Lovely lavender plants, I've never had these but would like to plant some. Got my geranium plant this week, it immediately rained 4 days straight so it sat outside being drenched. As soon as the sun came out and I was ready to re-pot, it needed dead-heading all over, so I am waiting now for the little buds to blossom forth.

Mary

KC'sCourt! said...

Lavender, just love it, like you the smell, the oil, the flowers everything that is Lavender
Julie xxxxxx

Winwick Mum said...

You can't go wrong with lavender, I always think - any variety is just lovely, and I like the bunny ears of the French lavender too. Your garden's looking lovely - we just need a bit more sunshine now as my sweet peas are also struggling to get going xx

scrappyjacky said...

The lavender looks wonderful....ours isn't quite in flower yet.I absolutely love the scent and always squeeze a few flowers when I walk past it.

Pat said...

Your blog posts make me happy! Your bunnies and flowers and beautiful handwork - I love it so much!

sew said...

These are soooo 'my' colours! Another cute bunny too - I love her pocket. I have a rhododendron which has lovely mauve flowers at the moment, right close by a clematis of a very similar colour but my sweet peas seem to have gone on strike too. I'm indulging myself in a bit of knitting (a bonnet for the expected granddaughter of a friend)in the garden this afternoon. I haven't done any knitting for ages & it feels strange to have swapped my hook for two 'sticks'!!
Thank you for this lovely lavender treat.

Gillian said...

Our lavender is nowhere near flowering. We have had such cold weather that everything is behind. We even had a frost this morning!

Frances said...

Helen, may I raise my hand as yet another lavender fan? I always have some dried lavender around my apartment, and also love the lavender ranges of soaps from L'Occitane. And the color itself is rather beautiful, too.

Daisy's birthday bike is fantastic...of course, she loves it!

Now you've got me thinking of bunny ears when I see French lavender. xo

Mickie said...

Helen,
Isn't lavender just the most glorious plant? I have several plants in my gardens and love to pass by and touch them to release the wonderful scent. Your posts are so tempting and inspiring. I must get busy on my many WIP, and I have so many ideas in my head that I want to begin working on.
Thank you for sharing.
Mickie, Indiana USA

Stins said...

I planted lavender next to a small path so when you walk past is smells gorgeous... And I also use the dried flowers in little sachets ... Your pictures are always so pretty! Love the bunny with the lavender in her pocket :-)... Love from Mirjam. And thank you for your sweet comment on my blog !

Art and Sand said...

lavender ... bunnies ... petunias ... and a bicycle ... lovely photos all!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Thats a really interesting fact about the the "bunny ears " and lavender Helen, that's probably why I like lavender too!
Love, love, love the little bunnies, they are so pretty. :)
Lucky Daisy what a gorgeous little bike, every little girls dream....a pink bike with a basket!
Have a great week in your beautiful garden,
V x

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! What a beautiful garden you have! I love lavender too, in fact I have just planted some French lavender in front of the house.... it smells beautiful! :) x

Jo said...

Helen your colour palette today is so summery. I love the rabbits. Jo x

mamasmercantile said...

I have lavender in my garden, several pots of it, but mine is not anywhere near flowering as yet. Beautiful bunnies and adorable with the pocket with a sprig of lavender.

Tammy said...

Everything is so very pretty. And your bunnies so sweet! It's too hot here for much of anything. Today was very dusty and windy so my plants are a mess. I don't like summer here at all. But will be in the States next month and will enjoy better weather there. Have a good week. Tammy

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...

Aside from pink, lavender is my most favorite color (except for mint green!).... those 3 colors together are just yummy.. and of course Violette has the sweetest pink and green ears...... love..... the little dresses are so precious and the pocket is just waiting for a little treat or flower sprig. I have never planted lavender in my garden but would love to have some by my front door.... your blog always inspires me.. to either sew, or crochet or garden! It makes me so happy.

My Little Home and Garden said...

The outdoors does beckon in springtime, I'm behind in my weeding and such, but it is a pleasure to enjoy this season. Your garden and home are beautiful, Helen. Things seem so well-tended and orderly, as well as full of creativity.

Happy spring days to you.
Karen

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

I love lavender also and my Mother used to buy Yardley's English Lavender soap when I was little. I've tried growing it numerous times but I've had no luck. I will try again when I relocate. Your little "lavender" bunnies are precious and the little quilt is perfect for either of them or both.
Daisy's bicycle is so cute! I want one! LOL!
I think you should make sure you have some handwork to do each day and take it outside then you can get some "crafting" done and also enjoy your beautiful gardens....they change so fast like children growing...you need to get out there and enjoy them. Hugs ~ Sam

Evelyne said...

Love the cute bunnies! Your garden is so beautiful and colourful!
Have a nice week.
Hugs Evelyne

Elderberry-Rob said...

green with envy at seeing the litte beehive in one of your pictures. The bunnies are so sweet. Betty

cristina said...

hi, helen! I love your bunny lavender too! and I'm sure that your new little quilt will be adorable! have a nice day, beautiful Helen! thanks for sharing those sweet moments with us!

Gill - That British Woman said...

the lavender bunnies are cute. I love lavender plants, would like to put one of two in our garden.

Teresa Kasner said...

Pretty, pretty lavenders.. flowers, bunnies and wisteria. Yes, this time of year is amazing. Love your bunnies and your lovely garden! Thanks for sharing! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

Your lavender is simply lovely, Helen...and I envy your ability to grow it. I've tried it many times unsuccessfully. Maybe it's our region or my brown thumb,(Ha!). And your bunnies---simply precious!

Hugs to you! :)

Jane x

Sigrun said...

Your bunnys are very cute! The french lavender ist beautiful, but not hardy in Germany, so I do not have some.

Sigrun

Viola said...

Hi Helen, the lavender in my garden is far from flowering. It has been much to cold in May. But yours just looks beautiful. I love lavender very much indeed, especially because it is one of the few scents I am not allergic to. It is a special treat for me to be able to have that scent in the house without getting a skin rash. Your bunny is cute as always, the lavender dress suit her perfectely. Viola

Things and Thoughts said...

Fragrant and colourful, lavender is the emblem of any sunny garden. This variety is different from mine but I think their scent is sweet and memorable in any case.The lavender bunny is another great achievement of you Helen!
Wishing you a lovely day
Olympia

Cindy said...

I love that French lavender, Helen! I have never grown it. I would have to order it because they don't sell it here: not hardy in our zone. But I just love those little tassels:) You bunnies are so cute in their lavender dresses.
Thanks for sharing. I always love to see your blog post!

Sharon said...

The bunnies are gorgeous. Your lavender is making me rather wistful, mine disappeared in the garden revamp, a trip to the garden centre needed I think :-)

Annerose said...

Wunderschön dein Lavendel ich kann in fast riechen und die Häschen passen perfekt dazu.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

Kim said...

Lavender is in full bloom here right now and even the streets are fragrant. I love this fleeting time of year. Cute bunnies!

Madelief said...

Your French lavender looks beautiful Helen! It's really striking amidst the green foliage. I enjoyed reading about the Rabbit's ears. They top leaves do look like that indeed!

Love your sweet lavender coloured rabbits too!

Have a good week!

Madelief x

Thimbleanna said...

Lucky, Lucky little Lavendar Bunny -- she's getting her own little quilt. Can't wait to see it! Your flowers are gorgeous -- I love wisteria -- I'm thinking I should investigate whether it will grow around here -- I'm thinking maybe not as I never see it. And what a pretty little bike -- I love that you've put flowers in the basket!

driftwood said...

so lovely. our french lavender didn't make it through the winter. I must replace it x

Amy at love made my home said...

I love all kinds of lavender and enjoyed seeing yours! The French lavender bunny ears are very cute aren't they! xx

Cream Linen said...

Your posts and colours always make me smile with their soft , pastel colours and delicate , stylish presentation of your makes.
Your garden looks soooooo beautiful!
Tina xxxx

handmade by amalia said...

I love lavender as well, the color, the scent, perfection.
And your lavender inspired bunnies are tres tres jolie.
Amalia
xo

Jenn M said...

I have always wondered what the difference in lavender was, and now I know!
All those blues and purples so pretty: Love the little bunny!
Jenn

Gracie Saylor said...

It is good to be home and able to catch up on your posts, Helen :) I am fond of lavender as well and am celebrating the blooms around me, too. Your new bunnies are precious and how fun it is to think that a type of lavender has a rabbit ear shape. It is exciting to know that you have a new book coming out in October! Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring creativity!!! I'm so glad you are having lovely times with your precious Grands and am glad to know that Daisy had a happy birthday. Yesterday I took my two oldest granddaughters, Hayley 7 and Molly 6 out to have some orange juice to drink and then we drove through the car wash at their request. They were thrilled and I was tickled by their excitement :) xx

sweetbriardreams said...

Ah, be still my heart! My lavender is still a little way off blooming and then I can sit amongst it with the bees buzzing around. I love it so much! Take care xx

Pat's Patch said...

Beautiful garden and lovely lovely bunnies..glad they are multiplying. Love all your healing summer flowers. Love Patx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

A beautiful 'lavender' post Helen!...Gorgeous bunnies...lovely wisteria ... Daisy's bike looks so pretty with her basket of flowers.. and I'm sure I can smell the pretty lavender? :-) ....
Happy Weekend!
Susan x

susan said...

Oh, i am such a huge fan of lavender too! I just love the fragrance. The lavender bunnies are just cute as can be - very sweet.

Zwergenwelt said...

French lavender and your cute bunny are the best combination! I love Lavender too, the smell of summer and south France, ist is so lovely.
Have wonderful days in the Cotswolds, dear Helen, best wishes, cornelia

My Little Home and Garden said...

In addition to your sewing and work with yarn, I always enjoy seeing little bit of your lovely painting, Helen.

Karen

Unknown said...

A beautiful 'lavender' post Helen!...Gorgeous bunnies...lovely wisteria ... Daisy's bike looks so pretty with her basket of flowers.. and I'm sure I can smell the pretty lavender? :-) ....
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