Monday 18 April 2016

Nice and Bright

 A little while ago i chose some new bright fabrics to work with on a magazine project.....
 ..............these are from the backyard circus collection and i got them from the fat quarter shop.......
 .............i  sewed a little patchwork cushion (with felt pom poms added in the corners) for a child's chair and i made a little cross stitched bear card to accompany the gift.......
 ..............you can find this project in the may issue of crafts beautiful magazine out now......and you can read more about the magazine here.............
 ...............do you like circuses and circus themes?.............i certainly love the backyard circus fabrics with their sweet bright and colourful motifs and patterns..................
 ................another sewing project that is nice and bright is this one........
 .................using the colourful hexagon cheater fabric from sunrise studio by lakehouse..........
 ...............i have made a quilted cushion for molly with this fabric and have just a little bit more of it to sew before she models it for us............a few years ago i was asked to make a kitty cushion for the battersea dogs home to help to promote their animal charity........this doggy cushion is made in the same way, but a larger version................i have lots more of this lovely hexagon fabric to add to a quilt too...........
 ............and i have made another block for my sampler quilt :)...........this is the bow tie block.............
 ...............i will write a post all about the sampler quilt and it's inspiration soon and there are more blocks being made for it at the moment....very fiddly ones, unlike this bold and simple bow tie.....
 .............maybe a whole quilt of this one would be fun today especially in nice bright colours......
 ...............the past two weeks have been spring break here and some of the time my grand children have been at my house busy drawing with their new felt pens and playing games together.....
 ...........we have also been pottering in the greenhouse together and they have helped with the watering............my seeds are growing well and i am looking forward to writing a garden post soon.....
..............thank you so much lovely readers for your kind comments on my last post......and for all your emails and good wishes......... i will pass them on to the newlyweds when i see them in a couple of weeks............wishing you all a happy week with nice bright sunny days and lots of crafty inspiration..................back soon xxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

42 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Gorgeous colours
Julie xxxxxx

Little Quiltsong said...

Love the pillow and block you made with Backyard Circus fabric. Also love seeing your beautiful potted flowers. As winter seemed to hang on and on.....we've been buying some potted spring flower bulbs and have enjoyed watching them come to life indoors. So lovely to hear all the birds singing outdoors again too!

Kate said...

I love all the colour, Helen!!

Jacky H said...

Hi you are so inspirational on such a miserable grey monday .
A real tonic.
Jacky

Jane said...

That circus fabric is so cute Helen, I love it. Your cushion is gorgeous and the posing bunny looks perfect with it. Your magazine commission is beautiful. How wonderful to spend time with your darling grandchildren. I'm off to collect Daisy today from Nursery....it's an 1 1/2 hour drive so I will stay overnight.Good job I have retired!
Have a lovely week,
Hugs xx

Stange and ich said...

ohh that everything is great !!!! The colors, the fabrics just great. I have to shop carefully!
rainy greetings
Antje

Cindy said...

That fabric is so cute! I'm drawn to little animal prints right now with 4 grandchildren to sew for. Your cushion is so cute with those pom poms. I can't wait for your garden post. We have had such wonderful weather here, so I'm outside all day long!

Diana Stitching said...

I've also been looking after my darling grandchildren during the Easter break :)
I just love the cross-stitch card!

Lee said...

Hi Helen,Beautiful creations and lovely pics.xx

Frances said...

Helen, I love the idea of a backyard circus, and you've certainly used those jolly, bright fabrics very well.

I still have a childhood memory of being let out early from school, along with the rest of the students, so that we could watch a circus parade pass down the street in front of our little school. This was in in a small town, and the circus was actually staged in a tent set up in an open field. There's a bit of nostalgia!

Bravo on your more recent magazine featuring. I will look at the website, and keep an eye out for the actually magazine at Barnes & Noble.

xo

Elderberry-Rob said...

I like the circus idea. You have a very distinct style with colour, it's so fresh and cheery, your magazine article looks pretty.

Evelyne said...

Lovely projects an d lovely bright colours, just as Spring!
Have a nice week Helen!

Brenda Pruitt said...

When I need a color fix, I come straight here!
Brenda

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lovely bright cheerful makes, the little card is so sweet. Beautiful fabric too, I really love the hexie fabric...so pretty. Your new quilt is going to be amazing.
How wonderful to be able to spend time with your grandchildren. :)
And of course I always love the appearance of a little bunny.
Have a great week Helen,
V x

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

Yes, such bright and happy colors! I love cheater fabrics! Don't get me wrong...I'm not a cheater, lol, but when you're busy and you want "the look" they are so cute sometimes like my little heart quilt which I love. I have a bowtie block in my sampler quilt...my first quilt! So fun to have the grands there with you and Spring gardening helpers! Take care....hugs.....Sam

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your posts always make me smile...so charming and full of lovely colors and patterns!

Christine B said...

The circus fabric is adorable as is the cushion you made with it! Mollie is very lucky to have a nice cushion made for her.... that hexagon fabric is beautiful! Have a lovely week! Christine x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

I love visiting you Helen! It's such a happy colorful place to be!
xoxo

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

A lovely happy colourful post xx

Kim said...

Just lovely (as always!) Helen! You inspire me!

Ali said...

Lovely, bright and cheerful xx

crazydazy said...

Such a beautiful and cheerful post....love the teddy card.

crazydazy said...

Such a beautiful and cheerful post....love the teddy card.

Jennifer Hays said...

That fabric is adorable, Helen! I love fabrics with a theme to them like that. I have some 1930's reproductions that have children doing all sorts of things like playing ball, skipping rope, etc., that I really like using with solids. It's just so whimsical and sweet to have bright colors and fun figures in a quilt. I liked seeing your sewing as well as your gardening this week. Hope you're having a good week.

Betty said...

They are so pretty, but you always find nice fabrics to work with. They would brighten my day up anytime.

Teresa Kasner said...

I had fun looking through your crafty endeavors.. nice bright fun things.. I bet your grandkids love seeing them and I bet you're making things for them too. The pom poms are very cute! I'm glad you're having some nice weather for gardening.. we're having a run of good weather but rain is promised for days on end. wah. Have a happy week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Jodie said...

A friend sent me the link to this wonderful project. I am glad you enjoyed working with Backyard Circus (my very first fabric range). I will have to get a copy of that magazine. Do you mind if i link to your project on my blog ?
www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com

Gracie Saylor said...

Your choice of materials are always a joy to see, Helen. I'm glad you have had some happy times with your grandchildren during their holidays. I gave four of my granddaughters plants for Easter and we had fun planting and watering them. We have had some warm sunny days this weekend that had us all out doing Springy things :) Happy creative Spring Days to you and yours this week! xxxx

Art and Sand said...

Your projects, choice of color and fabric always make me smile.

Simone said...

The pom poms add a lovely fun touch and I love the new range of fabric. You have put it to good use. Have a lovely week Helen. x

Rhona said...

What lovely fabric, Helen! So bright and cheerful! I love the cheater fabric....that would be perfect for me ;)

Viola said...

I love the circus theme a lot. The fabric and the cushion you made are so beautiful. I once made coasters out of felt pompoms, they are so cute to play with. Viola

Jenn M said...

Such lovely colours to see first thing in the morning. You must get so energized working around these beautiful fabrics all the time!
Happy Days!
Jenn

Jane said...

Love all the bright colours Helen, especially those hexies. Enjoy the rest of your week. Jane xx

Carla said...

Such bright and cheery colors.
Love the post

eclectichomelife said...

As always Helen such a lovely post. I'm not a huge fan of the circus theme but admit the cushion and bear card are totally adorable. x

Gabri millecrocette said...

Very nice the new projet for the circus cushion!!Nice spend time with your children with the gardening work!!Kisse

The Queen of Collage said...

I love bright colours and am in awe of your work.

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Hi Helen
LOVE the little cross stitch circus bear!!! Cutest ever. Congratulations on the magazine spread. Your pillow patchwork pillow looks great. I live in a circus. Maybe not really, but it sure feels like it sometimes. :) And my youngest takes circus classes. I think everyone needs a little circus in life. It is healthy and fun.
Xxx

Jo said...

What a wonderful selection of materials and projects. Jo x

Pat's Patch said...

Such a lot of lovely brightness. Love the motifs and so cute cross-stitch bear, pom-poms are fun too. Enjoyed your pretty spring flowers as well. XXX

Unknown said...

I always love coming here Helen, your posts are always so bright and colourful and full of yummy texture and pattern. Love the pom poms and the fabrics you used for your cushion and rabbit. Time spent with your grand daughter indeed precious. Have a lovely week, dee xx