Christmas Swop

I've just taken part in a Christmas swop, organised by Louise from Sew Scrumptious which was great as it made me sew again. You had to send a handmade decoration, chocolates and a Christmas card to a random person Louise partnered you with. I sent what is pictured above - I made the ceramic hearts from a course I did this year.

Bizarrely I now realise that I have been put together with one of my sister-in-laws friends from London - handmadejane. The sewing world is a small world indeed. Anyway she sent some lovely decs as pictured on my Christmas tree, some lurvely chocolates and a handmade card. I was well chuffed! Thanks Louise for organising it!

I'm in I love Crafty!

Have kept quiet about this for a while as it was a bit of a slow start.... but have got my things in this lovely shop in Clifton. It's called 'I love Crafty' http://ilovecrafty.blogspot.com and sells fantastic handmade things from local artists/crafters. Laura who runs the shop is really talented and seems to make anything - jewellery, soaps, cushions.

The shop is just perfect for the things I make and best of all I don't have to stand all day on a cold craft stall.

My retro rabbits seem to be selling well and my son (with a bit of help) has even made something for the shop, which has sold already! Wonder if I should give a 6 year old his £16.....

Just started to make some needle books like this. They were really easy to make...might even keep one for myself for a change.

On the sewing theme, there seems to be so much crafting, knitting etc everywhere - this was at Paintworks in Bristol a couple of weeks ago. It's one of those old airstream caravans. Love it.

Check out these giveaways:

http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-giveaway-time.html

Wallace & Grommit!

Thought I would share this picture - that's me in the middle before I had my hair cut off last week!

My friend Gill, who I wrote about in last post is raising money for the Cots for Tots campaign. She has loads of ideas to drum up some cash, so when Bristol had a Bike Festival she was straight down on her bike with her cousin dressed as Grommit. My son Ethan absolutely loved it and insisted on joining the parade on his bike. I unfortunately was pushing Tom the 2 year old in his buggy... So basically I had to run round the whole of the city centre trying to catch up with him! I was absolutely knackered, I think I have quite a healthy glow in this picture........ I think I must have looked quite a sight - 6ft woman manically pushing buggy after bikes.....

On the sewing front I am making some crochet needle cases, which have come out really well...... Just need to go and buy some crochet needles and I will put them on folksy. I absolutely love the Singer charms I have put on them. I am going to try and make some necklaces with them as well.

Last week I helped out at my friends charity event she organised at her house. She's trying to raise £8,000 for the Cots for Tots appeal to provide more incubators for premature babies. My friend had twins at 31 weeks - I think they were about 1lb each so she is trying to give something back. She managed to raise £800 which was amazing considering it was mostly bric a brac. Of course the amazing cakes went down very well.. I sold a few things and gave 10% to charity along with my friends prints. It rained most of the day, but luckily it didn't put off people. I even managed to get an Indian Head Massage when things were quiet which was absolute bliss.

I got some fantastic comments from people and lots of suggestions on where to sell my stuff. I've also sold some things on folksy last week which was a bit of a confidence boost as well. I haven't really had a plan of what I'm going to do. It's really just a hobby that pays for my addiction to fabric, but it has started to make me think.....

I'm going to be doing a craft stall at the Bristol Kite Festival on the 4th September and there might be an opportunity to get my things into a shop. I will keep on investigating. Someone also suggested I try selling my stuff in Fishponds at a play group where they think my stuff will go down well.

I think I need to be sewing a lot more, but it's so difficult to fit in between kids and work and all the rest of it, hence I am tying this while the kids are watching TV on a Saturday morning! Anyway here are some pictures of my friend's event:

Cushions

Really pleased how these little beauties have turned out. The fabric is mostly from Amy Butler and the pink flower print believe it or not is an M&S curtain from the 1970's. I used to have a bedspread in that print when I was a little girl.

http://hotdogandmerock.blogspot.com/2010/03/folksy-vendredi.html

more blogging!

and here is some more...

I just love this fabric...I had a bedspread in this fabric when I was a little girl in the 70's. It's vintage M&S and gorgeous....

I've been a little busier recently rustling up these little beauties, which I will be selling in Folksy in the near future....

Tiny white daisies: One Year 'blog-versary' Give away!

Have a look at this give away! Tiny white daisies: One Year 'blog-versary' Give away!