Thursday 22 November 2012

Some Simple Sewing

I have been working on a few different work projects this week, some cross stitch and some sewing and a bit of writing.....but this post is about some sweet and simple sewn projects i've made recently using fabrics from the simple life collection, designed by tasha noel...............i love these pretty little prints in delicious colours very much..........
 ........i have been making sewing notions with them.....perfect for little gifts, christmas tree presents and stocking fillers......the designs look lovely for postage stamp patchwork projects as well as larger ones..........
 ..........i bought my fabrics from sew deerly loved all the way across the pond......they arrived very quickly......and for a while i just had them stacked up to look at, not really wanting to start chopping them up :).........
...........but then i did, and so enjoyed combining the little patterns in this quilted needlebook.........
.........i added some applique hearts, some red embroidery here and there and a stripy button......to make a loop for closing i took a strip of selvedge from one of the fat quarters, rolled the raw edge in and sewed a running stitch along the centre with red cotton.........the scissor keep has two sides the one below and the one in the top picture......love the tiny words, so cute............
.......the collection has some gorgeous fabrics featuring little girls which will be perfect to make something for little daisy dot....maybe a doll's quilt or a cushion for her little pink bedroom......it will be something pretty anyhow.......
.........hanging on a chair in my sewing room at the moment is this pretty bag......i got it at the country living christmas fair when i bought some presents at the dot com gift shop stand.......they put your purchases in these very nice (free) bags ........such a good idea :).........
...........the next thing on my list of making is a tray of biscuits so i can try out my new cookie stamp.....i sometimes make biscuits as small gifts, put them in cellophane bags, tie with ribbon, twine, raffia, or stripy baker's string, add a handmade tag.....it is such a lovely little gift and i always love it when people make similar treats for me too................
...........i will take a picture of the new cookies to show you .........if they look nice of course ;) ......then we'll eat them and i'll make some more nearer christmas to give as gifts.......these will be my test ones......
........some flowers from my garden today.........there is a tree half way up the garden weighed down with these red berries looking so bright and colourful against the changing sky....blue through to dark grey over the day today......the other flowers are daisies still flowering in a pot, geraniums still flowering in a window box, a pot mum that i thought had died but came back to life and flowered after i put it outside, and some candy pink cosmos from the cutting patch still flowering happily and strongly.......the pink effect on the paintwork behind the flowers is just the reflection of the pink cosmos with natural light from the window coming in.....we don't really have pink painted window frames (yet)............

.....last time i showed you some hexies and i haven't forgotten them, they are part of a project which developed a bit further......... it is not quite finished yet but will be coming soon...........

........thank you for dropping in to see me here i always love to see you and hear from you too....thank you so much for your sweet comments and emails............happy thanksgiving to my lovely usa readers..........and a very happy weekend to everyone :)...................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

53 comments:

Crafty Helen said...

I couldn't make the Country Living Christmas Show this year, but always buy from Dotcom Giftshop when I am there. Such lovely items, both for gifts & keeping for yourself. Just love that bag too. XX

Hen said...

Ooh fabric temptation, that online shop always has yummy fabrics. Love the things you've made but most of all love your little garden posy.
Hen x

Jane said...

What sweet fabrics Helen, I love the tiny words too. You have made some wonderful projects here. Your cookie stamp really looks fun, can't wait to see you use it. Hope this storm is passing you by, the wind down here tonight is scary. Take care,
Jane x

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Your new fabrics are gorgeous Helen! Ooh and I am in love with the cookie stamp, such fun!
Victoria xx

l.wilks11 said...

Such a refreshing post. All colourful, bright and beautifully made.......xx

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

I always sigh when I'm reading your posts, they are a delight for the eyes! I'm the same with the fabric, I can spend an extraordinary amount of time staring at my folded fabric stash! In fact, if it was an Olympic sport I would have a gold medal! :)

Susan said...

Your posts are always a visual delight! An absolute pleasure to stop by!

Susan said...

Your posts are always a visual delight! An absolute pleasure to stop by!

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely little gifty things you have made - anyone would love them I'm sure. You have to do some quality control tasting sessions on the biscuits of course - hope they do turn out looking good as of course I am sure they will. Pretty flowers too - as always a lovely pretty post.

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

Oh! I do love that fabric and was just wondering if I could get it here and then "lo and behold" you said you got it "across the pond"...hopefully in my direction.
As I get older I am scaling down in all kinds of ways and those sweet little prints are perfect!
I get such great ideas from you which is great because I don't have any original ones! LOL!
I love the biscuit/cookie stamp! Especially stating "home made" since some people do need it spelled out. Ha! Ha!
Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes!
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you....I bought one of your books! Quick To Stitch Keepsakes....it's awesome and I might actually be able to be creative with those designs since you showed so many wonderful options and ideas to use the designs. I'm going to get all of your books eventually. I did a "happy dance" when it arrived!
Your flowers are in better shape than mine. We had a heavy frost that took all of them out except the ones I brought inside.
Take care and TTYS!

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

very sweet little makings, i made a few blocks to add to my granny square quilt today using the simple life fabric, it is so cute! love your pincushion and needle book!!

Anonymous said...

I love all your pretty little projects Helen, the writing is lovely.
The cookie stamp is brilliant I'm looking forward to your test run to see how they turn out. :)
Another lovely posy of flowers too!!
Have a really lovely weekend,
Vivienne x

homemade@myplace said...

everything is so little and so lovely!!!!
happy weekend, xxx Ale

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing your current projects, Helen! You inspire me to get busy and enjoy the process of making gifts for those around me. I hope your test batch of biscuits is successful :) I brought in two geraniums for the winter and was wondering today if our holly tree has any red berries on it. Thanks for sharing your pretty bouquet with us. xx from Gracie

Anonymous said...

The fabric is beautiful, made up so nicely into the needle keep. Love the heart and that stripe button. So jealous of your flowers, ours are all gone, I am eagerly awaiting spring so we can start again here. Hugs ~ Mary

Ali said...

All so pretty - I'm thinking of going to the Country Living Fair at Harrogate prices might be out of my league though - hmmm can always window shop xx

my4lilgirls said...

I love that fabric line too, sweet & cute & the makes you have used them for are beautiful, so many lovely gift ideas, thanks Helen I'm inspired again :)
Karen x

Unknown said...

Oohhh what a feast for the eye all those fabrics are so pretty i love the colourways there so pretty, light and fresh. I love patchwork and with those little added hearts thats a real sweet touch. Look forward to seeing your biscuits i hadn't thought about a stamp before i really like that. I to make sweets mostly almond biscuits and chocolate orange flavoured truffles there yummy. Enjoy your weekend, dee xx

KC'sCourt! said...

I love your fabrics, everything looks so pretty. I love the cookie stamper.
Julie xxxxxxx

Teje Karjalainen said...

Helen, you have found so sweet fabrics and your little patchworks are adorable! What a lovely stamp for coocies! Thank you for inspiration - I want to make tiny patchwork things! Happy weekend! x Teje

Cindy said...

Such pretty fabrics and you made some very nice projects with them. I do want to see your cookies made with the stamp. I'm sure they will look pretty too:)

Lori ann said...

oooh! i love the teeny tinyness of everything, and as always your perfect attention to detail. the needle keeper is a treasure, so sweet.
the cookie stamp is so cute, i hope the cookies turn out, and mostly i hope that you recieve some handmade wonderfulness in the next coming weeks helen, even more than you give. have a wonderful creative weekend! xxx lori
(thank you for the roots and wings words, made me cry) :)

claire said...

I was gutted not to get a dotcom shopping bag but it had got to that time of the day when I had no energy for the loooong queue :(
I love all you mini-squares sewing and what a great idea to make a tag for the scissors, so as not to loose them!

Simone said...

Lovely projects Helen and an adorable cookie stamp that I am sure you are going to have fun with!x

Aunt Spicy said...

all of those projects, adorable!!!! I love your eye for pattern and color!

Anonymous said...

Oooh your fabrics look delish...I love your work!
Thea x

Kristyne said...

Love your needle book & scissor keep. Super cute. :) Have a great weekend! xo k

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen..Funny, I was only looking at those fabrics yesterday online and thinking they may well be the next ones I buy! You've made them up beautifully and now I'm even more eager to get them.

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Helen.. as always, a visit to you is a delight for the eye and spirit, as your kind nature shines through. I adore all your makes. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Kelly Casanova said...

Beautiful - such fresh and happy fabrics!

Rubyred said...

Beautiful makes in such pretty colours Helen!Your posts are so inspiring!
Love the the cookie stamp and your posy is gorgeous!
I'm working on some little needlebooks myself, with handstitched hexies, it's taking me a while but I love arranging the tiny pieces of fabric.
Have a lovely weekend!
Rachel x

Henry's Shed said...

ooh! I love at all! Those fabrics are just gorgeous! Can't wait to see how the cookies look!
Karen x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Happy weekend Helen! I love your "The Simple Life" projects! My daughter bought a cookie stamp that is similar to yours...we can't wait to try it out :)

sew said...

♥ I just love your choice of fabrics - it always brings on an attack of the 'wanties'!
♥ I love the way you've incorporated the sweet little button in the seam in the first photo
♥ and I love the spotty scissors too.

serendipity said...

Those fabrics are so sweet. I love the needle book, very cute.

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
I love everything you have beautifully stitched up!! So sweet! Have fun baking and creating this weekend!! xo Heather

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I'm always inspired to sew when I see your lovely little creations. I can't believe you are still getting such gorgeous flowers. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

You made some lovely things! I like the cover of the notebook with the appliques. The flowers from your garden look lovely! Mine are all gone now.

Wish you a happy Sunday!

Madelief x

Mia said...

Beautiful, Helen!

I LOVE light blue and red together, pretty! That needle book is adorable...

Lovely days before holidays!

Yours,
Mia

driftwood said...

oh that cookie stamp is just brilliant! Ilove the sound of your gift wrapped biscuit gifts x

Annie Cholewa said...

The mini patching is just so pretty, and you've given me an idea for a gift for an aunt that I was stuck on, a scissor keeper.

Enjoy your cookies :)

Patricia R. Reid said...

Helen, as always, your post was a delight. I managed to take time away from basting the Thanksgiving Day turkey so I could read your post! Well worth it, and the turkey was just perfect. Thank you for your Thanksgiving Day wishes!
Such a very pretty and refreshing, as well as an inspiring post, as always. Imagine my surprise when I realised that Tasha Noel lives just a few miles from my house! How I love her fabric designs!
I hope you are pleased with your cookies ... they sound wonderful, especially with your new cookie stamp!
Enjoy the Holiday Season.
Hugs,
Patricia

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, how I would love a peak into your fabric stash! Your new fabrics are lovely and go so well with your gorgeous free bag.
The flowers from your garden are as ever a delight. Things seem a little crazy this year to me, I have a poppy growing at the moment and there are still some sweetpea and lavender about.
I adore your hearts in the previous post, they are wonderful.
Many thanks for your visit and lovely comments. So glad you enjoyed the video, it literally took my breath away. Have a wonderful week, with much love, Linda x

koralee said...

The colours here really make my heart sing! I love all your sweet creations and wish my home was filled with them all....pure JOY! I think I have that lovely little mug you have your flowers in my friend! I adore your quilted notebook...I wish you sold them!!!! Hugs for a great week...we really are on the road to Christmas now. xox

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

How lovely! Sew Deerly Loved is one of my favorites to shop from. She always gives excellent service and quick deliveries. I am in love with your teeny tiny little patchwork pin cushion. It looks like it was taken out of a fairytale. Have a lovely evening.
Annette

Siobhán said...

Helen, you are so clever with your use of the Simple Life fabric. How neat! You've given me the inspiration to look at fabric in other ways, rather than just 'how will this look in a quilt'. I need to take lessons on how to think outside of the box I've created for myself. LOL Love the cookie button, what a neat idea! My friend Pam used to make a basket up of different cookies/biscuits at Christmas, put them in cellophane baggies and tie them up with pretty ribbons, and they were our favorite treat.

Scarlet-Sometimes said...

loving the fabrics on the needle case and pin cushion-gorgeous!!!!

Amanda said...

It is always such a joy to visit your blog. I love those new fabrics and your needlebook. That cookie stamp looks exciting!

Paula said...

Dear Helen, I have missed visiting you! I am sorry it has been so long, but I am happy to have found you again! I love your sweet hexies! The fabrics and jingle bells are so cheerful and festive! You always make the sweetest things! They look lovely hanging on your dresser. I love all of your beautiful photos! The heart is so pretty too! I love the cookie stamp. So cute! I do think homemade means a bit quirky too, but that is what makes it so charming! The roses are gorgeous and the hydrangeas as well. I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy this beautiful Christmas season! Love, Paula xoxo

Janice Kay Schaub said...

love the old fashioned colours
quick and easy designs. Lovely
Janice

gilly said...

ALL sooo adorable, as always! Your posts always brighten up my day (misty & rainy here today!).
Wishing you & yours a very happy & blessed Christmas,
xx

cre8ivecrafter said...

♥ Love the color combo.

I am also in love with that little blue striped cup/bowl in the photos with the single red stripe. Pretty please tell me who made that or where I can find one.

~cre8

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