Monday 9 November 2015

Red and White

 I love red and white quilts and have often shown some of the ones i have made here on my blog......
 ........until now i have never made a lone star quilt even though i have always admired them.....
 ......now i've begun one using kona solid fabrics in tomato and white.......this design is english paper pieced...sometimes i use a glue pen to cover the paper diamonds with fabric, but if it runs out and i can't find the refill quickly i revert to the old fashioned way of tacking the fabric round the paper with needle and thread.....i can do this very quickly now after decades of practice ;).............
 ....here are two of my older quilts (floating four patch and simple squares) on the new quilt ladder...lots of people asked about this so for those who were wondering it is actually marketed as a towel ladder and i got it from *next home*.......i find it just right for holding folded quilts :).....
 ..........one of my favourite quilts has to be one made from simple squares and i am very fond of the quilt below and use it a lot..............
 ...............part of my latest red and white quilt crush must surely be due to reading this fantastic book about the most wonderful exhibition of red and white quilts presented by the american folk art museum..........the photos of the exhibition are absolutely stunning, the actual presentation was a work of art too....there were hundreds of red and white quilts on display including several beautiful lone star examples.....and probably the most exciting one of all is the kaledeiscope quilt shown on the front cover here......
 ............but back to my simple squares now and here is a view of the quilt spread out on the bed with a couple of little bears nearby too................
 .................the little bear pattern is from my new book modern vintage gifts, if you would like to make one (or two) the same.......
 ..................besides reading and sewing over the past week i have been enjoying visiting my younger girl and her family and playing with baby rhys, enjoying a family fireworks party with my elder girl and her family with toasted marshmallows on the mini bonfire and daisy wearing her 'ear muffins' because she doesn't like loud fireworks, and enjoying watching charlie celebrate his 8th birthday, plus a neighbourhood bonfire party with fireworks and a potluck party afterwards...........
 ..............i made a few little cakes to take to my dearies...........
 .................i had some red roses in my sewing room last week, and here is the candy cane red and white striped binding ready to sew on a tiny quilt...more about that one coming soon :)............
 ................of course i make lots of other things in red and white, besides quilts, including this flower pot pillow which is also in my new book, along with the little bedtime mouse seen here having a ride in the tiny pram..............
.........thank you so much for visiting me here in my crafty little blog space dear readers, and for your kind comments too.........i hope you are enjoying happy crafty times and keeping cosy on these november days...................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

41 comments:

Annerose said...

Hallo Helen,
ja rot und weiß ist eine tolle Kombination. Ich mag das auch sehr gerne zu weihnachten. Deine Quilts finde ich super schön und der mit dem roten Stern wird fantastisch.
Ich wünsche dir noch ein schöne Adventszeit und schicke liebe Grüße
AnneRose

Kate said...

Helen, your red and white quilts are stunning! I love the lone star quilst but had never though of making one with EPP. :)

homemade@myplace said...

I love red&white, too!!!!!
happy week Helen, xxxxx Ale

Unknown said...

Your lone star block is beautiful, there's nothing prettier than red and white. But I also love the simplicity of regular squares. Is my book ever going to come?!? ;) I want to make the pillow and the bears, love these designs. P.S. I finally finished the lap quilt for my nephew & family in celebration of their new home.

Have a good week, we're having rain here today so I'll pretend I'm in England; perhaps this afternoon I'll have scones and tea to make it complete.

Mary

Jacky H said...

Hi Helen i look forward to your blog every Monday. It brighten up a miserable November day with the colours you use.
Your quilts are stunning.
I love your little bears they are so cute. My husband
is buying me your book for Christmas. I can't wait
the bears will be the first thing I will make.

Cindy said...

I love those red and white quilts! I never thought to make a lone star with paper piecing. It seems that would be easier than the traditional method:) Have a great week!

Kim said...

Ah, red! You're singing my song Helen! ;)

Christine B said...

Lots of lovely red and white inspiration on your blog today Helen! Glad you have been having lots of fun with your children and grandchildren! Have a lovely week! Christine x

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love lots of cheery reds in my home. And what a cute little baby buggy. I would love to make some of those bears too! Enjoy your week my friend. There's always so much to do when you sew! Hugs, Diane

Stins said...

Keeping cosy while reading your blog is quite easy actually :-). I love blankets and cushions too keep cosy too... Those little bears are so cute!
Great to have spent such a good time with friends and family. Lots of love from Mirjam.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful quilts, and cup.
Its a winter cheer me up to find a special cup or mug. This year I'll be searching for one with a quilt motif.

Janet said...

The quilts are stunning. The simple squares quilt is so beautiful.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Beautiful as always Helen! Your quilts are always amazing, I think the squares are my favourite, so pretty!
It sounds as if you've had a lovely week, wishing Charlie a very happy birthday!
Have a great week.
V x

Robbienae said...

Red and White Quilts are my favorite! I always love working with beautiful red fabrics and I adore your floating four patch quilt and the little bears.Thanks for the inspiration.

Betty said...

I love red. I think that seeing it in so many blogs I have fallen in love with the color red this year. I have added it through out our home.

Jane said...

Hi Helen, what gorgeous red and white quilts. It's such a fab colour combo isn't it.You have had some wonderful family times catching up with all your family too....they are the best of times. I love that sweet teddy;0) Enjoy your week, hugs xx

Amy at love made my home said...

You have some beautiful quilts there in red and white! It is a great combination isn't it and very popular too. xx

Baa. xxx said...

Red and white ....be still my beating heart! GORGEOUS!

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh boy.. I'm loving your red and white lone star! I have an amazing star quilt that is quite vintage and I was told it was from the civil war era. You'd love it. I'm glad to hear you're having lots of time with your little grandchildren.. there is nothing more special in life, is there? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

OH.. I just ordered your new book from Amazon.. it finally was there! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Happy Birthday to your grandson Helen! Boy, the kids are all getting so grownup and we are all just the same age as always!!! I can dream! Lovely reds and whites, my book is ordered and I'm waiting somewhat patiently for my delivery.
Have a wonderful week my lovely, xoRobin

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Love the red & white together and it would be extra pretty for Christmas. Love your creations.
warmly,
deb

Gracie Saylor said...

In seeing all your reds and whites
I find great delight,
Helen!
The Red and White quilt book sounds delightful as well! I hope I get to see it one day. We celebrated my grand Hayley's 8th birthday yesterday. She was thrilled when her dad took her for a ride in the car and she no longer has to sit in a booster seat :) I crocheted a little art project bag for her with a rainbow ribbon yarn and put in a little tiny design coloring book with new colored pencils and am interested to see if she enjoys it. Happy Birthday to your grand Charlie. I'm so glad you have been having happy days with your family as well as working on your current projects. xx

Lorrie said...

Hello Helen. Your red and white quilts are so pretty. I've been hankering over wanting more red in my home lately, probably as a result of all the grey days that are beginning. I've been looking at making one with squares, very similar to yours. Are those 4 inch squares?
Your makes are always so pretty. Time with family and little ones is so very special. Enjoy each moment.

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Hi Helen,

Oh my word, such gorgeousness. What a sight to be seen! I am really loving the reds and whites coming out now everywhere. I want to add a lot to my house this season. It's so jolly and bright and uplifting. Your quilts are so beautiful.......I could gaze at them all day! xxxxxx

Bee Lady said...

Funny thing I used to not like the color red. And for the last several years, it has been one of my favorite colors! It's one of the main colors in the little room I'm living in. I even bought a vintage looking radio in red! I love all of your red and white goodies! ANd this post reminded me....I have an old red white quilt somewhere. A lady sold it to me in a box of old quilt fabric to cut up!!!! I took it out immediately!

Cindy Bee

Frances said...

Helen, red and white combinations always take my mind off to Scandinavia...even though I've never actually visited there...so it's interesting to see your book with American quilts.

I think those little bears are real charmers, who would delight lucky chidren. I can imagine lots of secrets being whispered to those bears...

xo

Unknown said...

Red and white is such a lovely warm and fresh combination I love your choice of fabrics in your square quilt its gorgeous. Good to hear you have taken a break to visit your loved ones to :-) dee xx

Jennifer Hays said...

I just love red and white, such a fresh and crisp combination. My kitchen's main colors are red and white, I find it so cheerful and I think it motivates me to cook more. :) Your book arrived here this weekend. Thank you again for such a lovely prize. I've just started reading it and I'm smitten. :)

patio garden furniture said...

Wonderful color combination! I'm so glad you have been having happy days with your family. Thanks for inspiring!

cristina said...

I love red and white combination!
Have a nice day, my dear Helen!

Jo said...

My quilts feature a lot of red, it seems to go with all other colours too in a mix up. I am lost without a glue pen. I bought refills at the NEC on Sunday because they were a good price but I haven't run out!! Jo x

Jo said...

I love red in a quilt too. Yours look fabulous. I wouldn't be without at glue pen, I bought refills at the NEC craft show on Sunday even though I haven't run out yet!!! Jo x

Jo said...

I can't do without a glue pen! I bought refills from the NEC even though I am no where near running out for fear of not having any!
Love your quilts they are beautiful. Jo x

Robin Johnson said...

Red and white quilts have always been a favorite of mine. On my sewing wish list is an Ohio Star quilt in red and white. I'm hoping to get started on it this winter.

FlashinScissors said...

Loving the teddies! Your quilts are so pretty, Helen, very inspirational.

How lovely for you, spending time with your children and grandchildren.

Keep cosy!!!!

Hugs, Barbara xx

Jane said...

Your red and white quilts are stunning Helen and I love the flower pot pillow. Red and white together are lovely any time of year, but I particularly like them at Christmas. Enjoy the rest of your week. Jane xx

Madelief said...

You made some beautiful red and white things Helen! The red star quilt you just started on looks promising and I love the other one with the little pieces of fabric. The little teddy bears look very sweet too!

Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!

Madelief x

driftwood said...

oh red and white, you are so Christmassy and lovely x

mamasmercantile said...

Your red and white quilts are beautiful. I found your post inspirational and will certainly be checking out your new book.

handmade by amalia said...

This post made me happy, Helen. So creative and pretty, truly inspirational. I love the teddies and the quilts and the little cakes.
Amalia
xo

Pat's Patch said...

Lovely scandi, christmassy colours for your gorgeous makes.xxx