Wednesday 11 July 2012

Rosy Lavender Quilt

 This little quilt in soft and pretty rose and lavender fabrics is finally finished and hanging in my studio for a few days for me to enjoy looking at.......i began making the four patch blocks and joining them together by hand last summer after being inspired by the lavender farm at cheristow in devon.......i got as far as partly quilting it also by hand, when a top secret project intervened and it was put away till now..........
 ...........i used a lovely piece of lecien rose paisley fabric for the main patches and the binding....this fabric just made me think of vintage eiderdowns as soon as i saw it.........the lavender fabrics and the aqua ones i used for contrast all came from my stash............
.............i love all the shades of purple around in the garden at the moment too..........
 ...........some of the lavender is in flower especially the deep blue purple and the french kind with the mauve frilly tops.......and there are lots of sweetpeas in these shades.........these are from my cheap and cheerful pots bought from the greengrocer at the start of the season and quickly planted in the cutting patch with a wigwam of canes......the other sweet peas i ordered from a leading grower were very late arriving and are still tiny, nowhere near flowering yet........i'm hoping they will make up for it soon but in the meantime the cheap ones are providing me with a sweet posy or two every day..............
 ................i received some pretty presents for my birthday like this gorgeous greengate latte cup.............
........the rosy lavender quilt was washed and tumble dried to achieve that wonderful crumpled vintage look....my new favourite thing........i can't wait to make another quilt now :)............
 ..........a little bunch of our own lavender that i managed to harvest this week when it had dried off a bit in the brief sunshine we luckily had...........i love to dry big bunches of it and save it for lavender bags and to add to pincushions and pillows..............
 ...........these are the cakes i made for my daughter rosie's birthday last week..........she was with me when we found the vintage rose cake toppers and cases in a tiny shop in manchester, so i knew she'd love them on her cakes.............
 ...............a sunny moment for a quilt photo, yes... we are having a few of those this week so it's not totally grey and rainy here but it certainly hasn't been feeling very summery that's for sure.........
 
......................before i go today i want to say a special thank you to claire at the gorgeous design blog heart handmade .......i was thrilled when claire featured my quilts and crochet on her wonderful blog recently, do go over and see her......such an inspiring place to visit, if you don't already know it you'll love it...........i am off to work on my book illustrations again now, they are almost finished......and then i am going to be making something especially for my lovely readers as it is almost time for another giveaway here in my little bit of blogland :)...............
................wishing you a wonderful week and hoping the sun shines (but for those lovely readers in other places who are too hot then i hope your temperatures become just right :)......back very soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

56 comments:

Crafts @ Home said...

What a beautiful lavender coloured post, so pretty, I love the quilt :)
Sue Xxx

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous quilt, love the soft colors, lavender is perfect - you are so talented! Also love your new tea cup and the cake toppers for your daughter Rosie's cupcakes. All beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing the beauty, it made my heart soar. Hugs ~ Mary

Happy in red said...

Oh, that's really cute!
Esther.

KC'sCourt! said...

I love your blog - I love the way you take your photograph, I love the pretty colours.
Pretty Cake toppers and the cakes look yummy too. I love that quilt!
Julie xxxxxx

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen! Your quilt is so pretty and it reminds me of a bouquet of flowers!! And I adore your new mug!!
xoxo Debbie

Missy said...

Oh deary me, your quilt is gorgeous! I've looked at your photos all through eating my lunch! So summery and pretty and the quilt has inspired me as yesterday I started making my very first quilt. It's tiny so I hesitate to call it a quilt but it's a start.
Love your Greengate mug, it matches the quilt perfectly.
Your post has made me re-think my position on the colour lavender!
Happy Wednesday!
xx

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your quilt is beautiful Helen, so fresh and pretty! :) Looking at those lovely shades I can almost smell the lavender (always reminds me of France).
My sweet pea is just coming into flower now, always lovely to have a little bunch in the house.
We have sunshine today. :)
Vivienne x

Devon said...

your lavender quilt is beautiful,,as so is your post..hope the sun is shinning on you for the rest of the week,,
devon
www.devonstitching.blogspot.com

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely quilt! I have been noticing how many flowers are in the pink/mauve spectrum just now too. Our sweet peas were late starters but are doing better now so hope yours come on too and will be providing you with blooms for months to come. As always a beautiful colour co-ordinated post full of beautiful things.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Helen, you know what, I do have to find some flower fabrics! Your quilt is so beautiful and looks really soft and comfortable! Simple squares are one of the best patterns - all the wonderful fabrics and prints can be seen well! I have a obsession collecting mugs and I love yours! Have a lovely time! I'll go to visit 'heart handmade'.
x Teje

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Such pretty pretty colours! x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

HI Sweet Helen, What a rosy lavender post to come back to. I adore the quilt and all the colors! The washed and dried look is just so perfect for some serious cuddle time. Your new mug is lovely. I LOVE sweet peas and yours are so delicate and displayed so nicely in the pitchers!
Sending sun and warmth your way, xoRobin❤

Tangled Sweetpea said...

What an absolutely gorgeous quilt Helen! I adore the fabrics you've used, especially the one for the binding - I just LoVe vintage eiderdowns!
Victoria xx

ross: creative designer said...

é un lavoro splendido: sei molto brava ad abbinare i colori: complimenti!
un saluto
ross
firenze

gilly said...

Much prettiness ! Your quilt is looks so lovely and snuggly. Waiting (im)patiently for the lavender in my garden to flower... it's almost, almost out. Just need some more sunshine ;-)

Charlotte said...

Love the colors!

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

your quilt is beautiful, I love the purple and aqua together! Love sweet peas!

My Little Home and Garden said...

After reading and gazing, I must pick some lavender today. Your new quilt is wonderful and I love the juxtaposition of the pitcher and the fresh lavender with it. It brightens up a day to stop by your blog, Helen. Have a wonderful week!
-Karen

serendipity said...

What a beautiful quilt. I love thefabrics you've used. so summery! xx

Jane said...

HI Helen, I love both the colour lavender and the smell, reminders of long hot summers...;0) Thanks for a lovely summery post whilst outside at the moment the rain is hammering on my windows!Glad you had a lovely birthday,
Jane x

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen! Stunning quilt! I`m in love with it! So pretty colours! Well done to you! You always inspire me :o) Your pictures are amazing and the cakes for Rosie`s birthday as well.
Have a happy week
love
Natasha

Country Rabbit said...

Absolutely beautiful- fallen in love with the colours- i saw some wonderful new fabrics at the market yesterday wish i'd brought some now- love the lavender colour ;0)x

Cindy said...

What a pretty quilt! The colors are so dreamy. And so are your sweet peas. Mine are just starting to bloom and I want to bring some into the house.

Deborah said...

I love this quilt. I have been collecting Liberty Lawn fabric and just yesterday I sewed a liberty lavender scarf and am adding a lavender crocheted edge. Your influence must have drifted across the ocean to me!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I love that your pretty quilt looks already like it has been lovingly used for many years. The colors are muted and beautiful. Your little cupcakes always look so gorgeous ... I know they must be so very delectable, too. Have a great rest of the week. Tammy

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I love lavender too. Not sure I like you having sunshine just down the road though...not much here!
Will be off to investigate that blog later tonight...home alone all week so I can blog surf to my hearts content. Just wish I hadn't eaten the WHOLE box of chocolates on night 1!!!
fee x

my4lilgirls said...

So beautiful, I love lavender, my bedrooms lavender, I find it so restful. A quilt like that would be the perfect touch ;)
I'm loving this entire post
Lol Karen x

Lynne said...

Your quilt has inspired me. I'm just finishing one now, and after seeing this I know exactly what I want to do for my next one.
So pretty!!!!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Just beautiful ( I'm glad it's not just me that takes ages to finish things!) Ada :)

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

The moment I saw your new quilt I liked it! The colours are so very pretty. I love the way you combined lilac and light blue. A perfect combination. The Sweet Peas look perfect with it.

The Sweet Peas are growing fast in my garden as well. I take two huge bunches home with me twice a week :-)

Thank you for putting a link to my giveaway on your blog! So very sweet!

Have a lovely evening,

Madelief x

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear Helen, you are really an artist in how you photograph your pretties and share them with us. I adore the colors in that quilt - it looks so cozy and warm. I will have to grow some sweetpeas and make bouquets with them. Can't wait to see what you're doing illustration-wise! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Mia said...

Loveliest quilt ever, Helen, the lavender shades are just so beautiful! And that new cup...I love it!

I wish you wonderful and sunny July days!

Yours,
Mia

Erna said...

Hello Helen, thanks for your lovely lavender post, it really cheered me up
Hugs
Erna x

vintage grey said...

Helen, your quilt is so beautiful!! I adore the fabrics, and the backing is the perfect touch!! Such a lovely and bright post!! Hope you have a sweet day! ;) xo Heather

Linda O said...

Helen, I love your quilt!! Your choice of fabrics are just perfect, they all look so pretty together, I love all shades of purple, my favourite colour!! I love the backing fabric too, you know, this quilt would look perfect in my bedroom!!!lol

I too am picking a posy of sweetpeas every other day, they really are sweet aren't they??

A lovely summery post, thank you xxx
Love Linda O xxx

Fleur Cotton said...

Your post is right up my street...I just love lilacs and mauves and purples they are my favourite colours.

Your quilt is so wonderful...you are a very talented lady x

Have a lovely week.
Fleur xx

Simone said...

A beautiful post. I can almost smell the lavender!!! x

Musings Of A Gem said...

I just love that quilt! So so pretty and it goes lovely with the lavender colour!!

Gemma xXx

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.co.uk/

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

Well, I think I should just give you my money and have you buy fabrics for me OR you could design quilt kits and I would buy every one of them! LOL!
You are just awesome about combining colors and patterns and making beautiful things! I've picked up a few clues...like Lecien fabric and dots and stripes and flowers in gorgeous colors. The quilt is simply coziness at it's finest and I agree, I do not pre-wash my quilting fabrics and then they get that wonderful "crinkly" worn look like they been handed down from your Grandmother! It's so lovely, Helen. I keep hoping if I study your blog long enough just a teensie weensie bit of your talent will rub off on me! I know...I'm a dreamer! LOL!
Thank you so much for sharing all your "lovelies" with us.

Annie Cholewa said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt Helen. It looks perfect for snuggling under on these chill evenings that are so unseasonal.

StitchyDragon Creates said...

Absolutely gorgeous quilt! I love the lilac polka dot bucket your sweet peas are in too :) Even if the weather can't decide to be summery at least we have sweet peas & the other blooms to remind us! Have a lovely weekend, Helen

koralee said...

Your quilt is specatular...I am in love with the colours.. lavender has always been one of my favourites. My own lavender is out now too...I must pick a bunch...sending you oodles of summer joy my talented friend. xoxo

Rhona said...

What a beautiful quilt! I love the colours you have used - perfect! Lavender seems to be the only thing that is flourishing in my garden at the moment as it's so hot. And since I adore lavender, there's no complaints from me!!

Kay said...

I adore the gentle, summery look of the quilt. It would work perfectly in my bedroom.

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Your quilt is so pretty Helen.. the lavender combination is just beautiful!...I'm loving the crumpled vintage look too at the moment..I can almost smell the fragrance from your lovely lavender!
Hope you have a happy and creative weekend,
Susan x

Sewmancer said...

such beautiful colours - a reminder of summer in the middle of a NZ winter

Lori ann said...

oh helen, coming here is always one of the most lovely experiances in blogland. i love your quilt so much and it made me tear up a little since my daughter is planning her wedding and lavendar is her color. this is all so beautiful, i am going to send her the link so she can see also. thank you for sharing all your amazing gifts (i mean your talents).
have a lovely, hopefully warmer week ahead.
love, lori

Crafted by Carly said...

Lovely, lovely lavender bits and bobs! What a beautiful post! :-)
Carly
x

bellaboo said...

Your quilt is truly stunning,and your blog always brings some sunshine my way on these dull,damp days.
Have a very happy week! :0)

gillyflower said...

That is the prettiest quilt Helen - adorable!

Maria Glazacheva said...

Hi Helen!
La lavade......!!!!!!!!!j`adore la lavade!!!!! Les magnifiques Fots!!:O)
With LOVE from Moscow!
xxx Macha xxx

Hi! My name is erica. Would you be my friend? said...

Such a beautiful quilt! The flowers are so pretty too. Do you ever bake with your lavender? Lavender cake is so yummy. :)

Ineke Original said...

Woew! Just love this!
Gretings from Holland!
With love,
Ineke

koralee said...

You are so sweet...thank you for sending me a treat...can't wait for Mr. Mailman to come. xoxoxo

Jessie Fincham said...

Wow!! Helen this is such a stunning quilt. Completely in love. Such a simple design but so striking. Great job!
Jessie, xo

Janessa said...

I ADORE this quilt! Where can I find the fabric?? Thanks!