Flower Project

Ok, I think I've decided what to make with my flower... it involves the things in the picture below!

What's it going to be?!

(Wow, that photo imported quickly - it's the first time I have compressed a photo for my blog - I think I'll have to do it in future as it saves a lot of time.  So far, I don't think it looks any different to the non-compressed photos - hopefully that will remain true when this is published).

Flowers and Toadstools

I got the sudden desire yesterday evening to make a felt flower.  I sketched away for a bit, until I came up with something I liked, then I cut out the pieces:

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with the flower when it was made, so I decided that I would sew it onto a white circle of felt, and see how it looked.

I like it... but I still don't know what to do with it!  I thought of making it into a brooch, or of stuffing it and hanging it from a ribbon - as a cute flower 'hangy', or maybe something else... not sure yet!

I wasn't the only one creating something - Rohan did a bit of a wood whittling, and made this cute toadstool.  He even burned the spots into it!  I love it!

It's only about 2.5cm tall - how cute!

Spring Colours

Here is a picture of a mini-blanket that I've been crocheting for the last year or so - I keep leaving it for months on end, which is why it's taken so long - and I'm pretty slow!  This is only the second thing I've crocheted, so I'm definitely a novice!

It's a stripy blanket in four pretty ice-creamy colours.  I'm feeling inspired to do some more of it, so who knows - maybe I'll finish it one day!

Happy Anniversary

I've just got back from a trip with my family - we had Friday off work (yay!) and spent a night down in Wales.  We spent some time in Abergavenny, and visited Cosmeston Medieval Village.  We also had a really delicious meal out at Bali Thai last night, for my parents' wedding anniversary - the nicest Thai I've ever had!  Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad!

Here is the anniversary card I made for them (lilac/purple is my Mum's favourite colour) - the pictures were taken the other evening, when it was a bit dark - so not the best photos.

And here are a couple of the photos I took in Abergavenny yesterday:

It was very pretty!  I really like that second photo - just something about it I like!

Lunchtime Lurking

More lurking around in the bushes around my work carpark in my lunchtime today - trying to get a picture of my newest egg!  Was quite overcast with a bit of a breeze that kept blowing the egg around, so it was a bit tricky to get a nice picture.

Close up

Good old bondaweb came into play with the fabric flower I'd cut out, then two buttons sewn in the middle on top of each other.  I'm really pleased with it - I love the pretty colours!

Last night I also put my hanging cupcake in my Folksy shop - here's hoping someone somewhere wants it and buys it!

Bye for now!

Easter Eggs and Bondaweb

Last night I made a new egg for the Easter Tree I am planning!  See my cheesily titled (!) previous post 'Crafting is Eggcellent' for pictures of the six I had already made.  It had been a while since I made them and, with Easter drawing ever closer, I thought it was time to start making some more.  Don't want that tree to be too bare!

I spent lunchtime lurking around in the bushes of my work carpark, trying to get a decent photo!  I thought it would be more interesting to see it hanging from a bit of plant life, rather than plonked on a side in my flat.  Anyone looking out the window probably wondered what on earth I was doing, and I got a bit of an old look from a couple of people on a lunchtime walk - the things I do for my blog!

I changed the design a bit for this egg.  My other six were basically the same as each other but in different colours, made from felt, but I've added some fabric to this one!  My first time using bondaweb, and I love it!  I've got an idea for another one, also incorporating fabric, so I can't wait to get started.  I hope it turns out how I'm imagining it!

Embroidered Pincushion

Today was quite exciting as I delivered orders to two friends!  A hanging heart, shown in a previous post, and a set of magnets!

Here are the magnets in a pretty little box I made for them.

I really like how this looks, but I’m having to rethink this idea, as it took far too long to make.  I had to measure, draw out, score, cut out, fold, and stick the box – then do the same again for the lid!  Maybe I would get quicker at making them, but it just doesn’t seem very efficient to spend so much time on packaging, when I could be making things to go in the packaging!  But... I still want them to be presented nicely!  Do not fear... I have come up with a new idea that I think (hope) will work and look good.  There will be a picture when it is ready, if it works out!

My 100 postal boxes arrived today as well – I think they are going to be okay.  I just need 100 orders and I’m set!  Easy... hhmmnn!

For no particular reason, just because I thought about it today, here is a picture of a pincushion I embroidered about three years ago:

Front

Back

It was from a tutorial in a craft magazine - can't remember which one now!  I've never used it as a pincushion, as I thought it was too nice, so it just hangs in the bedroom looking pretty!  (Although, don't look too closely at the pictures, as it had gathered a bit of dust over time that didn't want to come off - poor housekeeping, too busy crafting!!)

Postal Box Madness!

We had a lovely day yesterday.  We walked in the sunshine to a nice country pub with a beer garden, to have lunch.  Then walked back, stopping in the park for a bit.  It was full of people enjoying the day – such a nice atmosphere!  I’ve been quite tired today, though, as we stayed up late watching some golf Masters thingy.  I say ‘we’, but I had no interest in it at all... instead I was busy researching postal boxes on the internet for posting my orders in.  Amazing how much time can be spent on that kind of thing!

After MUCH searching, I found what I hope will be suitable.  Unfortunately I’m always on the quest for good value, so I got a bit carried away.  I started thinking that I’d get 10 to start off with and see how things go with trying to sell my creations.  But the more you buy, the better value they are.  So I thought maybe 20 would be better... then, well it’s better value to get 50!  Then, well it isn’t that much more for 100 really when you think about it...!!  So, yes, I ordered 100 postal boxes!  What was I thinking?!  (This is what happens when I make decisions late at night!)  The only orders I’ve had so far are from friends, so I don’t even need to post them!  Well, it’s good to be prepared.  I just hope they aren’t too small for my needs... I checked the measurements, but sometimes it’s hard to visualise without seeing the actual box.  Let’s hope I haven’t just spent a load of money on some unsuitable postal boxes, for my non-existent orders!  :o)

Although, talking of orders, one of my friends has asked for the hanging heart I made on Friday, which is great!  I’ve made some Thank You cards to go with orders, so I will get to use one!

The hearts are still available to order through my Folksy shop, though, as I will be making more.

I’ve also had a request for some fabric-covered magnets from a friend at work!  I’ve been working on the packaging for the magnets, so I will have a picture to show you tomorrow.

One last thing - not sure if anyone noticed, but I have changed my logo slightly!  Same general idea, but a different font – I much prefer it!

Sunshine and Hearts

I am quickly fitting this into a window of spare time!  I need to get ready to go out again, but I thought I'd better update with the latest, as I didn't have chance yesterday.

The weather is so beautiful at the moment, so I knew that when Rohan got home from work yesterday he would want us to go straight to the park.  (He loves the sun!)  On a Friday I get home before him, so I quickly cut out some bits for a new project and bagged up all the sewing bits I would need ready to take down to the park.  Sure enough, he burst through the door desperate to get straight down there!

It was lovely, and so warm!  We spent a couple of hours with our folding chairs and picnic blanket, beers for him, a blue WKD for me (yes, I still drink alchohol designed for teenagers!) and I got to work on my latest idea.  Here it is - a stuffed felt and fabric heart:

I love it!  (Even if I do say so myself!)

Other than that, the fabric-covered magnets are now in my Folksy Shop - click here to see them.

A little taster for you - this is one of the five pictures I used:

Gotta rush!  Bye for now...

Fabric Covered Magnets

Now, this is a project I've had in the pipeline for a little while now!  I've previously given you a glimpse of my fabric covered buttons and pins.  There will be more to come from them at some point!  I plan to make some more pins and get some good photos so I can put them in my Folksy shop for sale.

Fabric covered magnets are a part of my whole fabric-covered button craze!  This time the buttons are bigger, and they have a... you guessed it... magnet!

Here is a pink set of six:

And here is a shot of more of the selection:

They have a diameter of 23mm and a magnet on the back.  They can be used as fridge magnets, or on magnetic notice-boards.

I'm going to be selling these in my Folksy shop, in sets of six, so I need to make some more different ones, and take some better photos.  I also need to decide whether to:

1)  Create different sets of six for customers to pick from,
2)  Show a photo of the whole range and when (if!) I get orders, send a random selection of six,
3)  Show the whole range and let the customers pick each magnet for their set of six.

Decisions decisions!!

First Folksy Sale!

Very quick post today, as we are going out to see friends...

I made a sale of my strawberry brooch, through Folksy!  Well, it was bought through Folksy, but it was actually a friend from work who bought it... so she was definitely subjected to a bit of extra advertising!  I can't imagine any strangers will find it, let alone buy it, but at least I have one Folksy sale under my belt!  It is very exciting!

So I got home and got to work on packaging it, by attaching it to some card and pretty vellum.  Here is a picture of it in the park!  We went to the park to sit in the sun, as it was such a lovely day today.

And here it is wrapped and ready to go!

I'm looking forward to delivering it tomorrow!

Strawberry Delight

I've been trying to get a decent photo of the project I finished last night - a strawberry brooch!  Photography is not my strong point!  I took my camera and strawberry to work and sneaked off to a random windowsill to try to take a picture in the daylight.  No-one was around when I started doing it, but of course the whole office decided to stroll past while I was busy clicking away at a strawberry on a windowsill, looking like a mad person!

I still was not quite happy with the photo, so Rohan is now attempting to get a good photo with his fancy camera and tripod etc... photographing small things is so tricky - especially trying to get decent light on them.  Right, he has finished and here is the long awaited strawberry brooch...



Front



Back



It measures approx 5.5cm tall and approx 5cm wide (at tallest and widest points).  I hope it was worth the wait!  And yes, you will have noticed my Dinki Dots label on the back!  Not quite the same as I showed in my post last week, as I have cut the dots off - they didn't look quite right in 'real life' and also made the label too long.  No harm done, though, it was worth a try!

I am also planning to make this with a magnet on the back, to be used as a fridge magnet, or maybe on a magnetic noticeboard.  I plan to have a strawberry range for sale - magnets, brooches... and other things when I think of them!  (I've got a couple of other ideas, but need to see if they will work first!)

... Quick update to this post - I have now created a Folksy shop, and added my brooch for sale!  I'm not holding my breath that anyone will buy it, but I might as well see what happens.  http://www.folksy.com/items/1605349

Felt and Fabric

I have finally just finished the little project that I cut out on Thursday night!  It took me quite a long time this evening - I am sooo slow!  I really need to speed up!!  I wish I could show you the photo now, as I'm really pleased with it - but it's too dark at the moment to take a decent photo.  Tomorrow I'll make sure I get a photo to show you!  I hope it will be worth the wait...

In the meantime, here is a picture of all my felt:

I already had some 9 inch squares, and today I had a delivery of some 18 inch squares that I had ordered!  I've got plenty of ideas of things to make with it... just need the time (and the speed!)

Here is a picture of some gorgeous fabric that I received last week - all the way from America!  It is so difficult to find funky cool fabric in this country, very frustrating!

I just love it all!  I can't wait to make some things out of it - but on the other hand, I'm too scared to use it!!  It's too nice!

Happy Mother's Day!

We've had a fantastic weekend away at Cadbury House hotel in Congresbury (helped along by Tescos Clubcard vouchers!) - the setting was beautiful, and we were really lucky with the weather.  We had such a great time!

After getting home we had dinner with my parents, for Mother's Day.  Happy Mother's Day Mum!!  Here is a picture of the Mother's Day card I made for my Mum:

I made an origami summer dress for the front of the card.  I made a slightly different version of the same design for Rohan's Mum (who is away on holiday at the moment, so we celebrated a couple of weeks ago) - I was on an origami roll!  Happy Mother's Day Jen!

I also want to say a big hi to my two "blog commenters" - Mum and Rohan's grandma, Goongie!  Thanks for the support!!

Tomorrow I hope to finish the item I started on Thursday, so hopefully I will have a picture of that to show.  (My Dinki Dots crafting has had a break while we've been away this weekend - although the ideas are still flowing!)

Summer Bag

It was a very busy evening last night, so didn't get chance to do any crafting, until after 10pm when I suddenly decided that I must make at least a start on my latest idea before I went to bed!

I had drawn a sketch during the day, in a break at work, so I used it to create a template and cut out some felt.  That is as far as I got, but I'm pleased so far.  I just need to start sewing it when I get the chance.  I hope it works out how I'm imagining - not like my first failed cupcake!!

More on that when it is finished, but for now... some pictures of a summer bag I made last year:


The bag!



Tie-detail on side



Zip fastening on top



Inside zip pocket with button detailing

 
I didn't really know what I was doing, so kind of made it up as I went along!  It ended up a lot bigger than I had planned, but I guess that makes it good as a beach bag... hopefully I've learned some lessons for the next bag...