Monday 15 June 2015

Gather the Flowers

 For the past week we have had mostly beautiful sunny weather here.....some days were really glorious, with birds singing, flowers blooming, butterflies fluttering and damselflies dipping and sparkling around the pond...................
 .............i have spent as much time as possible outdoors, even proof reading can be done at the garden table, and sewing outside on a warm sunny day is a pleasure because the light is so good...........
 ...............i even gathered together some of my many crochet flowers and finished off this work in progress summer pillow...............it was fun photographing it amongst the roses...........
 ...............my post title today comes from an andrew marvell poem and the line is: gather the flowers but spare the buds..........(i always do try to do this as it makes sense, of course, if you want lots more flowers).....i stitched this quote as part of a floral sampler for my first ever book many moons ago....
 .............the deep pink roses have a sweet, rich scent..............the pale pink roses have a soft sweet perfume, somehow old fashioned and nostalgic....................
 ...............i always love to try and capture them climbing up to the bright blue summer sky............

 ..............besides working on the final stages of my new book this week, and finishing my crochet pillow, i have been making some toys for a magazine commission, and painting some roses for another design commission..........
 .............it has been a busy but lovely few days and as always when the weather is gorgeous here i forget that it might not last and am always surprised when the blue sky clouds over and the air grows chilly, just as i am planning outdoor meals and winding fairy lights round the potting shed.........
 ..............we are certainly making the most of it though, while it lasts.........
 .                                          ...........tea and roses on the patio table.............
 .....................coffee and a decorative bucket of cranesbill outside the potting shed........
 ................and here is my garden notebook appearing again, ready for this summer's notes to be added to its pages.................... next week i will be taking a short blog break as we will be going off to the countryside for a little holiday............we will be staying in a cottage in the cotswolds and visiting some lovely gardens :)..........i will be taking lots of pictures, i expect :) ..........
 ............i am taking my crochet blanket with me to work on, and some patchwork too, and have some novels downloaded on my kindle,  there are lots of lovely places we plan to see, and walks to enjoy ( and little molly is coming with us).......so let's hope the sun shines :)..........
................thank you for visiting me here, dear readers, and for your kind comments..........wishing you happy days with sunshine and roses and crafty inspirations...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxoooooooxxxxx

51 comments:

Jennifer Hays said...

Your cushion is beautiful, Helen. I love the way it looks among the real flowers in your garden, which are also very pretty. I hope you have a lovely break, take care and enjoy.

Amy at love made my home said...

I hope that you have a wonderful time away and that all goes really well with your new book! I love your cushion!! xx

Kim said...

Helen, I love reading about your days. You have a lovely garden, the most colorful projects and my dream career! Good luck with the book and enjoy those flowers!

Cindy said...

Your roses are so pretty. and so is the cushion! When will your book be out? Can't wait to see it. Have fun on your getaway! (I am jealous, I would love to be going there too and seeing all the gardens:)

Cindy

Gracie Saylor said...

How lovely that you have been able to do some stitching out in your pretty garden, Helen, as well as work on proofing your book. We have been enjoying exceptionally warm sunny weather here as well and I planted some purple morning glory seeds, a purple clematis, too, this weekend. I hope you, your husband and Molly have a wonderful, relaxing holiday xxx

Blondie's Journal said...

I absolutely love your summer pillow, Helen~~the colors echo your beautiful roses! I'm so happy you have had sunny days, we have had so much rain..it simply does not seem like summer. I hope for clear skies and sunny days soon.

Have a wonderful time in the country! :)

Jane xx

Алёна Боц said...

Very very beautiful summer pillows and wonderful garden! Have a nice summer!
Greeyings
Aliona

Алёна Боц said...

Pillow)))

Алёна Боц said...

Pillow)))

Teresa Kasner said...

Your garden is so pretty and your cushion and posies and tea cups are just the perfect colors to complement each other. I think I need to sit out on my deck and crochet on my natural white alpaca shawl.. :-) Have a wonderful trip and I am very excited to see the photos you bring home. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Viola said...

Your summer cushion is a beauty, Helen. And all these lovely flowers... I do love roses very much as well. Mine just got too much rain the last few days. I hope you will have a beautiful holiday, enjoy it and take care, Viola

Teje said...

Dear Helen, it's always summer in your blog and your photos are like from a sweet fairytale! I do hope you have lot of sunshine and warm weather to be able to enjoy your lovely garden! Have a wonderful holidays! Already looking for to see the photos and maybe some little sewing or crochet you Carry with you. x Teje

Ladybird Diaries said...

Gorgeous cushion Helen...I love the fresh pretty colours. A new book?! How exciting. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and I'm looking forward to seeing your pretty photos.
Marianne x

cristina said...

Your roses are as beautiful as her cushion! This is a great spring post! I hope you enjoy with the sunny days, Helen! have a nice day and happy crocheting!

Janet said...

Beautiful flowers. Enjoy your holiday in the Cotswolds.

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! I always love seeing your beautiful garden and your photographs of the roses are fabulous. What a pretty cushion and I can't wait to see your new book! Have a wonderful holiday.... hope the sunshine follows you to the Cotswolds! :) x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your garden is looking lovely Helen and your pretty cushion looks right at home among your beautiful roses.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday and how lovely that little Molly is going with you! I'll look forward to lots of photos of those gardens!
V x

Ali said...

So pretty as always, have a lovely break xxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi lovely Helen, Such a "rosy" post......why is it that roses, especially climbing and fragrant ones are so nostalgic and romantic?! I feel the same way, the smell is palatable. Gorgeous photos capturing how lovely this time of year is, your area is stunning. So nice to be outside day after day, a treat for the soul. Have a lovely holiday dear and I will look forward to seeing all your photos.
Nice to be able to take molly, we get to take Jack on some of our holidays too. Lots of fun to take walks with them!
xoRobin

Cream Linen said...

I wish you the most wonderful holidays. My ideal vacations also combine resting with crafting and reading favourite books.
Enjoy summer!!
Tina :)

scrappyjacky said...

Loving your roses....mine are all finally blooming....very late this year.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lovley. Your blog smells like roses. :)

Annerose said...

Wunderschöne Rosen liebe Helen, und dein Kissen ist sehr schön geworden, genau die Farben die du liebst Ich wünsche dir einen wunderschönen Urlaub und viele schöne Gärten.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Rhona said...

What beautiful roses, Helen! I can almost smell their perfume!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Sharon - creativity and family said...

The cushion is lovely and looks perfect among the roses. I really hope you have a fantastic holiday. x

Simone said...

I am usually blown away by your lovely projects Helen but often forget to say how wonderful your photographs are! You really manage to set the scene of idyllic summer days. I hope you have a lovely break and come back feeling refreshed. x

Thimbleanna said...

{Sigh.} Your garden is SO beautiful. Your little cushion looks right at home there among the roses. It sounds like you've been terribly busy and a break is well deserved. I hope it's perfect -- how could it not be? The Cotswolds!!!

Zwergenwelt said...

Dear Helen,
so many lovely pictures of your wonderful pillow, I regret that I do not crochet something ;O) it is so beautiful.
So cute also your garden notebook for sampling all the good ideas!
Now I wish you the best journey in the Cotswolds, this must be wonderful. Have sun and relaxed days!
Thank you for your warmful comments on my blog, so nice, I was very happy about!
Best wishes for you, cornelia

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...

Your post are such a little burst of color and I love them! I love your photos of the rose climbing towards the blue sky.. what a unique way to describe them. I had climbing roses at my other house in Washington state, and loved taking pictures of them as they danced above the arbor. One of my favorite things today is your little garden book... so sweet... and I would be very inclined to write in a cute little book like that. I've always meant to make a gardening book, but never have. I hope your trip to the countryside is wonderful. Marilyn in Oregon.

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

So much loveliness, enjoy your break away it sounds like it will be wonderful xx

Lorrie said...

Lovely summer. I hope you have a wonderful getaway, full of flowers and relaxation and laughter.

Susan said...

I hope you have a wonderful getaway with lots of sunshine. :)

handmade by amalia said...

The crochet flowers add a wonderful oommph to the cushion.
Amalia
xo

Ingrid Orens said...

Enjoy your holiday, Helen !!
I wish you lots of sunshine - nothing as fun as crocheting in the sun !

KC'sCourt! said...

Have a great holiday. Love the crochet, and I absolutely love roses, they are one of my favourite flowers
Julie xxxxxxxx

Jo said...

My roses have popped out too today. One is called Strawberry Hill by David Austin and it smells just like them! Jo

Jacky H said...

Hi your blog is so beautiful to read and look at.
Your summer pillow is inspiring.
I will have to make myself one

Art and Sand said...

flowers ... birdhouses ... gorgeous crochet ... and that beautiful aqua table ... all wonderful!

Elderberry-Rob said...

oh what a pretty post! I hope you enjoy your holiday and come back with loads of inspiration for more beautiful projects. Betty

Heldasland said...

Enjoy yourself Helen, you deserve a break. I know how hard you work to fulfil all your work deadlines. I can't wait to see the beautiful photos you will take. The cushion fits in perfectly in amongst your garden. Take care

Madelief said...

Your garden looks beautiful Helen! I see you are a rose lover too :-) What a delight it must be to do your crochet and sewing in the garden. Somehow I cannot find the peace when at my allotment. There is always so much to do.

Wishing you a lovely week!

Madelief x

sew said...

Wishing you a happy holiday and thank you for all you share with us.♥

Pat's Patch said...

Beautiful roses. I have a copy of your sampler book with A.M.quote. love your gorgeous crochet cushion and pretty notebook. Wishing you a happy sunny holiday in the C Cotswolds.Love Patx

marmarel said...

I love your pillow and what a nice pictures!!
Greetings from Marijke

Jane said...

Your cushion is lovely Helen and stitching in your garden, what could be better? Hope you have a lovely week in the Cotswolds. Jane xx

Mia said...

Hello dear Helen,

I have been away from the blogland for a while, and I am now going to enjoy all the missed posts at once with a cup of tea! What a wonderful blooming garden you have, love all those roses. We are behind the usual summer here, my midsummer roses are still in buds. But soon...

Wishing you a wonderful June-week, may it be sunny and beautiful!

Yours,
Mia

vintage grey said...

Such a sweet cushion and how exciting about your new book! Wishing you a most lovely vacation!! xo Heather

Ella and Nesta said...

The Cotswolds are so beautiful! Wishing you a lovely break.
Looking forward to your new book!

Robbienae said...

Your summer pillow is darling as are the roses. I love to sit and sew outside too. I like to set up on my picnic table and make Ohio Squares or Nine Patch Squares. I use rocks to hold down my fabrics from the summer breeze. Enjoy your holiday!

Peta Cowan said...

I just lovely the Englishness of your blog, your life sounds so calm and family oriented! I live in Bolivia most of the year and love doing all sorts of handwork. Blog world is so inspiring. Are your books available as e-books? Regards Peta-Ann Cowan

Zwergenwelt said...

dear Helen,
your Journey at rosemaries cottage was so wonderful, I love such old houses and cottages, so romantic and fine.
I did a little break on my blog because the weather is too hot, too hot for blogging in the house! :O) I wish you a lovely weekend, now I will read your newest posting, best wishes from me to you,
cornelia