Monday 12 October 2015

Autumn Flowers

 Here is the beginning of a new quilt.......the first block for my new chrysanthemum quilt.......
 .............the flowers will be mainly in these colours and then i am planning to add grey sashing between the blocks....(there are some lovely lakehouse fabrics in grey which i think would look pretty)....
 ............the english paper pieces are soon sewn neatly together to make the flower which is then appliqued onto a square of white kona cotton...............i am adding a red stitching line round the outside of the flower..........

 .............below is the second block in progress...........i am not sure how long this project will take but i plan to regularly make a couple of blocks to add to the pile.....
 ...............keeping the project bits and pieces together in a wooden trug (found in a lovely little shop in the cotswolds)...............
 ............some real flowers to show you now....at the weekend we visited our favourite botanic gardens and there were these wonderful flowery displays grown from mixed seed..........they looked so colourful and were a surprise for this time of year when so much has finished flowering and begun to die back and look rather crispy.............
 ...........this is how i would like my cutting garden to look........maybe next year ;)............
 ..............i do have a few flowers still adding colour to the garden though and i picked some for my favourite jug............
 ...............lots of white anemones....but where did the pink ones go?.............lots of bright fuschias....
 ...............this week i received a copy of the bright fresh *pretty patches* magazine and was thrilled to have my mini star quilt project included in it, as well as an author interview with me........you can find out more about the magazine here...............
 ..............time for some cosy crochet now......i have begun to join together the big granny squares using the join as you go method and stylecraft special dk in magenta............this blanket is growing fast as the granny squares are so large :)..................
.............thank you for dropping in to see me here in my crafty little blog space dear readers, and for taking time to leaves me such kind comments too........i wish you a happy autumn week with some pretty flowers to enjoy and  cosy crafty times..................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

42 comments:

Janet said...

The new quilt blocks look interesting. I look forward to seeing this quilt progress. The crochet blanket looks good as well, I love the colours.

Stins said...

That will be another pretty quilt; so nice to be able to follow the way it's developing!
Lovely flower pictures, it looks still a bit like summer :-). Your crochetcolours are so yummy.... Have a great week, love from Mirjam.

Jacky H said...

Hi Helen i love you quilt. You really know how to put colours together.
We all need some colour this time of year
Your blog is an inspiration.

Simone said...

Such a pretty post as always Helen. x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your new quilt is going to be so pretty Helen, I love the idea of grey with it! :)
Such a lovely display of flowers at this late stage of the year!!
Your crochet is looking good too, looking forward to the reveal!!
V x

KC'sCourt! said...

Pretty coloured quilt
Julie xxxxxxxx

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

The red stitching around the chrysanthemum really enhances the beauty. I look forward to seeing the finished quilt. Thank you for the link to Patches.

Ali said...

So pretty your quilt is going to be gorgeous!! The red outline really makes it 'pop' xx Such pretty flowers to admire too xx Have a great week xxx

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

Always bright and beautiful here! You make the most gorgeous things. :)
Hugs,
Lin

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, another gorgeous project. I like the sound of the grey sashing, and love the red stitching. Your crochet colours are very pretty, and the flowers so lovely as always. Isn't it good to look forward to next year when you can add more loveliness? Always enjoy visiting your corner.Love Linda xx

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

I'm sure your new quilt will be as pretty as all of the other ones you've made x

floral and feather said...

Lovely quilt and flowers! Can't wait to see the finished object :)

Zoe | floral and feather

Jane said...

Your projects are all looking super Helen and how lovely to see you in a magazine. It's good to still see some flowers in the garden. Enjoy getting cosy with your crochet xx

Jo said...

Looking good Helen, I am on eight pointed stars right now and they are making up faster than I thought. I use a sewline glue pen (cos I am lazy) instead of taking them on! Jo x

Gracie Saylor said...

I always enjoy seeing your projects, Helen, and I try to learn from the choices you make...like putting gray around your new chrysanthemums and choosing magenta to join your pastel granny squares. Bravo for you latest published interview! Your comment about your hopes for next year's cutting garden have me thinking about what/how I plant my little garden area. I think I need to plant more plants...closer together...and more billowy plants like cosmos...it is fun to imagine :) xx

Baa. xxx said...

Lovely start to your new quilt! Love the wild flowers - a few years ago the council sowed wild flowers all along the motorway in our area. It was beautiful.

Christine B said...

Hello Helen! I love your new blocks... your new quilt is going to be very pretty! I always love seeing your garden and flowers.... you arrange them so beautifully! Enjoyed seeing your project in Pretty Patches! Christine x

Lorrie said...

Your new quilt is going to be very pretty in those bright colors. The trug is a great find! Happy Autumn Days!

Cindy said...

Love the new quilt and granny square blanket. I also like that look of a wildflower cutting garden. I tried it once, but the weeds took over:(

Elderberry-Rob said...

the soft colours of the crochet on the last picture are very pretty.. and the cutting garden, wouldn't it be wonderful to have one just like this - I would dig up my lawn to make one if only the men here would let me!

Amy at love made my home said...

Your new quilt squares are beautiful aren't they!!!! I look forward to seeing more, and of your lovely crochet blanket too. xx

Unknown said...

Hi Helen, I adore your new quilt fabrics I love reds such a warm colour its going to be gorgeous when its finished. Love the flowers to I have just planted my wild meadow seeds and hoping next year I will have a lovely crop to pick to :-) Enjoy your crochet, dee xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Dear Helen your new quilt is looking beautiful already...I love the design and the colours and your gorgeous crochet too! ;-) ...(and your jugs of flowers are still always the prettiest of mixes!)
Susan x

Unknown said...

Hi, could you share what brand/colors of yarn you are using for your crochet project...and the pattern...I've done some granny squares in the past but have never been comfortable joining them...love the colors...I am looking for a winter sit-in-front-of-the-tv project...thanks!

Cream Linen said...

Hi Helen,
Lovely colours, flowers and crafts, as always.
I have never tried to make a quilt, but it seems a really tedious work!
The results are rewarding but the whole process , I suppose, takes a lot of effort and patience!! I really admire those of you who manage it!
Happy autumn crafting!
Tina:)

Frances said...

Dear Helen, this new rosy red and white star quilt looks wonderful. It is interesting to see your planned contruction. I am amazed that you can finish a quilt like this one so quickly!

Then, to see the garden views and the colorful flowers that are still blooming is a bit of a surprise. I love how you've picked up those lavender flower shades in your crocheting. Colors really do slip into our awareness, don't they?

I'll be on the lookout at the newsstand for that new magazine. Congrats on having the interview included.

xo

Jennifer Hays said...

I enjoyed seeing your chrysanthemum blocks, the design is so interesting and fresh. I love the reds and pinks in the fabrics, just lovely. You still have a lot of flowers blooming, I'm impressed. Your crochet looks a lot like the flowers! I hope you're having a good week so far, Helen.

Teresa Kasner said...

Seeing how you made those blocks takes some of the fear out of quilting for me.. I love how you're stitching around the edges, making it so very hand-made and special. I love how your big granny square is looking.. can't wait to see it laid out. You are so very productive! Of course I adore your color selections. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Kate said...

Helen, your chrysanthemum quilt blocks are beautiful!! It's so nice to see flowers blooming - ours have long since succumbed to old man frost although I saw a dandelion the other day. :) Your blanket is made from such beautiful colours. x

susie said...

Lovely quilt & flowers! I also love those stars, they are One of my favorites. x

handmade by amalia said...

You always work with the prettiest fabrics, Helen. And lovely flowers are always a wonderful source of inspiration.
Amalia
xo

Gillian said...

The flowers are beautiful - both for your new quilt and the real flowers. Congratulations on being in the magazine. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished crocheted blanket.

Kim said...

Oh, I love the shape of the flowers...and the colors!

cristina said...

I love your new project quilt, helen! I love color red and whithe for a quilt! and I love too yours big granny square! hope you have a nice autumn! thanks for sharing all this!

Pat's Patch said...

Love the start of your new flower quilt with the red stitched outline. Great your mini quilt in patches magazine. Gorgeous flowers and crocheting. Love Pat x

Madelief said...

You chose some beautiful fabric for your blanket Helen! Hope your garden will look the way you are hoping for next year. It's my dream to have a garden like the one on your photo too, but it is more difficult to get that effect, than I thought it would be.

Have a lovely weekend ahead!

Madelief x

Sharon - creativity and family said...

Lovely fabrics. You still have so many beautiful flowers in the garden, ours is looking rather dull right now! x

Анна Созинова said...

Какие чудесные цветы! И в саду, и в вазе, и из ткани на блоках!

Anonymous said...

Hi, may ask you where you get these fabrics?? Is it a collection is it from a specific shop or do you just pick them out ?? Thank you

Anonymous said...

Hi, may ask you where you get these fabrics?? Is it a collection is it from a specific shop or do you just pick them out ?? Thank you

20 North Ora said...

Helen - Your new quilt squares are just beautiful! You do such gorgeous work on anything you do.

Judy

Thimbleanna said...

Oooooh, so exciting to be starting a new quilt! I'm looking forward to watching your progress on those cute little flowers. And the crochet too -- beautiful colors!