Thursday 6 December 2012

Cosy Winter

Winter is really here this week.....it's been sooo cold and the wind has been howling round our old house.....time to keep the heating on, get out the scarves and boots.......light the candles.........and have lots of hot drinks..........
..........and to do some cosy crochet too, inspired by a recent visit to the nearby botanical gardens we love to see, and a tree there filled with bright pinky red berries growing in huge lustrous clusters..............
 ..........i made this winterberry cushion to add some crochet cosiness to our sofa this winter................
 ...........i am now planning another crochet project.......i almost forgot how much i enjoy it with all the sewing i've been doing lately........it may be winter outside but in my studio it's spring.......i've been drawing, stitching, sewing and embroidering some cheery spring themes for magazine commissions this week.....it's birdies and blossom all the way........:)
........i have been doing some xmas shopping too....online and handmade........and some of my gift buying was from chipper nelly here..........the lovely fee made this adorable little box containing.............
.....this little treasure ( might have to get one of my own)......i also received some beautiful swap blocks too which i will show next time, and the presents for my dearies will have to be secret until after xmas.......you can also still enter fee's  gorgeous giveaway over one her chipper nelly blog here.............
........in my cosy winter sewing room this week i am using this delightful pincushion from my long time lovely blog friend debbie whose work has always been my cup of tea........i love her sense of colour and design.....you can find her pretty blog here and her etsy shop here..............
 .........this bright and colourful bookazine has just been published containing plenty of projects by lots of  international cross stitch designers........i have a project in it featuring two cross stitched linen bears ..........
...........and to keep me cosy in the evenings while watching some good dvds and sweet old festive movies, is my farmer's wife quilt steadily being hand quilted.........i am loving sewing it, and as each block is different it makes the quilting so varied and interesting........i wonder what i will do when it's finished, i've been working on it so long i think i'll miss it :0............
...........thank you for dropping in to my cosy bit of blogland today......it's a pleasure to see you and thank you for leaving me such sweet comments and for your emails too......(if i haven't got back to you yet, i will very soon)...........i hope you are enjoying this countdown to christmas and feeling the christmas spirit whether you are in chilly old blighty, somewhere even colder or somewhere much warmer..........enjoy your winter week to the full..................back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

52 comments:

busybusybeejay said...

I love that cushion.They are my kind of colours.Hope you are keeping warm.

Anonymous said...

Your house is looking very cosy Helen. :)
Love the new crochet cushion, a lovely burst of colour for these dark days. Your little linen bears are very sweet. I expect you'll have to make another quilt when your farmers wife is finished.
Have a lovely festive weekend,
Vivienne x

driftwood said...

oh so many lovely things x love the key ring xxx

Susan said...

Prettiness abounds!! The cushion looks rosy and warm! And looking forward to seeing the FW quilt enlivened by your beautiful hand quilting! Happy stitching!

cristina said...

Oooooooohhhhhh...Helen... I looooove it... looooooooove these colours...... I loooooove you blog... your photos... all....

Teje Karjalainen said...

Sweet, beautiful pillow, Helen! I'm waiting so much Christmas time and to start new quilt and finally some hand quilting again! Your quilt is going to be so beautiful! Have a lovely weekend! x Teje

Anonymous said...

Love your cosy (English for cozy :) crochet pieces - my favorite color in the whole world! And congrats on the new baby coming to the Royal Family, hope Kate continues to feel better, she's so lovely. I'm going over to visit your friend now. Stay warm, Mary

Jane said...

It has been soooo cold Helen, we had some of the white stuff yesterday ;0) It's great to hear that you are already working on Spring. I love the festive colours on your post today...just gorgeous. Only 19 days to go now ;0)Keep warm,
Jane x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen! What a wonderfully cozy post!! I cannot wait to see your finished FWQ and I think your winterberry cushion is lovely!
Thanks so much for the links :). I love your photo of your pincushion...it looks perfect in your house! xoxo Debbie

Cindy said...

Your new cushion is so pretty and happy looking.
I am also a fan of Happy Little Cottage and love her pincushions.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Lovely Helen,
Such a sweet post! I look all your purchases and handwork. All the candles lit look so warm and welcoming. I love the way you decorate and display for your photos! You are so good at what you do : )
I'm sure you will find something equally wonderful to work on after you have completed the FWQ.
xoRobin❤

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Love all your pretties!!

Fiona said...

Goodness, what a lot of loveliness you have produced.The cushions are stunning as is your beautiful quilt, I do not get on with hand quilting! Fiona x

Gerda said...

Your house looks cosy, love the bright colours. And it's always nice to see a glimpse of PIP. I believe this night winter will arive here, so I'm looking forward to my bikedrive home after I finish my night shift. Took my camera with me. Groetjes, Gerda

vintage grey said...

Hi Helen,
Your winterberry cushion is beautiful! You have inspired me to make a granny cushion!! They are always so sweet! I am looking forward to seeing your quilt finished! Such lovely gifts! Wishing you a cosy and creative weekend! xo Heather

Pickworth said...

Helen, it is bitterly cold here today and your home looks so cozy and warm. I am so happy we have Christmas in Winter. Somehow the fires,colours,food,decorations and so forth, all lend themselevs to a Winter Christmas. I was raised where Christmas was in mid-Summer, but I so prefer a White Christmas, and your crocheting,cooking,quilting,etc. all add to the Festive Season.
Have a wonder,warm and cozy weekend.
Hugs,
Patricia

homemade@myplace said...

so cheerful, everything!!!! your cushion is simply lovely and cosy!!!
xxx Ale

Rhona said...

I always love the colours you pick and those pinks are just wonderful! Stay warm!

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Helen...your Winterberry cushion is hugely huggable! What's the betting that your granddaughter will head straight towards it when she sees it? There is nothing like cuddling up with a woolly cushion at your back and a quilt over your knee when it's frosty and cold. Enjoy your weekend.

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow, you have such an eye for color! Those pinks and green in your pink cushion are juicy and delicious! Now I am craving something pink! LOL!
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

harmony and rosie said...

I do love your cushion, such cheerful colours and definitely warming at this time of year.
Keep warm Helen, it looks like you're all in for a particularly cold time of it this year.
x

Kay said...

Lovely cushion. Your home must be beautiful.

Siobhán said...

Everything looks so nice and cheery, Helen! Your crocheted pillow is so nice--the colors are perfect to chase away the gray days of winter. Your hand quilting WIP is stunning as well, it must be lovely to burrow under it when it's so cold outside!

flowers on my table said...

Hello Helen, what a feast for the eyes! I love the little house in your opening photo. Your crochet is wonderful, you always choose the most lovely colour combinations. I am sure Daisy and Charlie will be delighted with Santa's key, just in case he can't fit down the chimney! Your little cross stitched bears are so cute.
Many thanks for your comments on my blog, they were so lovely and really brightened my day.Good luck with all the holiday preparations. Much love, Linda x

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

That pink cushion is so lovely! I love all the colours you have used! I am looking forward to your article, I will be yearning for spring by January! Have a great weekend! :)

Unknown said...

Your house looks so cosy lit with candles i love the little red patterned candle holder. Your crochet cushion is lovely and such sweet colours. Have a lovely weekend, dee xx

KC'sCourt! said...

More gorgeous colours
Love the cushion
Julie xxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Such a pretty cushion Helen, stunning colour combination..It is very chilly so yes time to cosy up
Special winter wishes
Thea x

Miss Holly said...

Such a wonderful job you do!!! Your site is pure heaven.... The colors....I just want to jump in!!!!!!
Happy day to you!!!

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Beautiful post Helen. I LoVe your winterberry cushion and the Santa key is utterly charming!
Victoria xx

Simone said...

You are such a happily busy lady Helen! The winterberry cushion is so pretty. I wish I could muster up some enthusiasm to do something crafty! Have a lovely weekend. x

Sommerhusstil said...

WauWWWWWWWWWWW What a blog :O) Klem Betina

Deborah said...

What a stunning winterberry cushion! So wonderful that there is inspiration in nature. Debbie's work is delightful.....just my cup of tea, too.

Paula said...

Hello sweet Helen! Your blog is so delightful, cheerful and very cozy indeed! I love your home and all of your beautiful creations! The crochet pillow is gorgeous! Pink is my favorite color! The berries you were inspired by sound lovely! Fee always makes such sweet things. I love the pincushion from Debbie. Thank you for sharing the links to both these lovely shops! I will look for the magazine, as I love to cross~stitch too and would like some cheerful designs. Your quilt is coming along beautifully sweetie! Thank you for sharing! You inspire me so much! Keep warm and enjoy your weekend! Much love, Paula xo

Nicky said...

Your cushion is absolutely gorgeous!

Gracie Saylor said...

You are such a good hostess, Helen! I love visiting your blog and leave reluctantly, but always with inspiration to be more productive and appreciative. XX from Gracie

l.wilks11 said...

Your blog is always a pleasure to look at. Oh how i would love to have your patience to create such beautiful things. A blog to be proud of......xx

Annie Cholewa said...

Lovely cushion Helen, and quite Christmassy really, for all it's spring like too ... it has a richness of colour that is sumptuous. My challenge for the Christmas holiday is to finally get to grips with crochet ... I'm determined!

Windy Island Handmade said...

Hi Helen, I have only recently found your blog and I love it. It's beautiful, well done. The colours are so fresh and cheerful and it is a pleasure to visit. I am new to blogging and would like to invite you to visit me, if you have time. I am at http://windyislandhandmade.blogspot.co.uk/ I hope you like it. Thank you, Karla.xxx

Madelief said...

Dear Helen,

Your house looks very warm and cosy! I love your new pillow made of granny squares. You chose such pretty colours. Can you tell me how you put them together. Did you sew them or crochet them together?

Wish you a lovely new week!

Madelief x

Mia said...

That cushion is just perfect, Helen, just my favorite colors! I wish your weather is staying a bit wintery yet pretty and sunny... Please keep warm and cozy!

Yours,
Mia

Anonymous said...

Helen - Looks and sounds like you are ready for winter. It has been quite blustery around here as well....8 degrees last night when just a week ago we were basking in 70 degree sunny weather. Oh, well, such is Missouri. The girls are complaining but like all teeny boppers, it takes a few days for them to figure out a pair of fuzzy socks is a very good thing in a 100 year old house. I love your blog and always return to your sweet happiness which makes my day. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

serendipity said...

What a pretty cushion. Love the pink border on each square.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Loving the cushion. I need a crochet hook just like that one....

cristina said...

Oh, Hellen... many thanks for your sweet comment on my blog... THANKS...!
I loooooove all your creations... all... I loooooove your photos... I loooove your blog....
Thanks... thanks again...

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

As much as the wind howls outside your house, and the rain or snow pelts down, who wouldn't feel happy and cozy with the warm colors of your gorgeous pillow?
And all the stitches are so even and perfect, I have a feeling your house is the happiest and cleanest place~
xx
julie

My Little Home and Garden said...

Your cushion has reminded me of one my mother made for me when I was a teenager, all purples and lavenders. (It may have been her only crochet project.) My crochet hook still hasn't unleashed its magical powers; I must give it another try.
-Karen

Bohemian said...

Such a Cheerful Homespun Cozy Christmas at your Home!

Happy New Year from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Debbie Cripps said...

Hi Helen,

just LOVING all your new craft projects- you do have the magic touch!I'm going to make your bunny from the latest Crafts Beautiful for my friends baby. As ever if there are any materials you would like for your projects or blog let me know- our new site is www.craftdepartment.com
Debbie Cripps
debbie@craftdepartment.com

Anonymous said...

Happy New year Helen, Yvonne here (Ingrid's sister). I am in New Zealand visiting Ian and his Kiwi wife Rachel for Christmas and New year. I have been showing your blogto quilting friends I have made here! I am working on the Farmers wife quilt and brought a few blocks to piece together here but I too am also back into crochet and have enjoyed that while chatting and so picked the piecing up today and took ages getting my head round what i was doing!!
10 more days of summer before we head back to the UK!!

Sherry Smart said...

Love both the winterberry cushion and the blue cushion. Is there a certain brand yarn that you use? They're beautiful! Sherry

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