Sparkley New Arrivals

Some times the postman delivers pretty parcels, that cheer you up. This one definitely did, just when it was needed.

A little prettiness

Plant pot fabric

Long dog fabric

Close-up it sparkles

& in blue

The sparkles on the dogs coats were a delightful surprise. These photo's don't really do this fabric justice, it's gorgeous..

Dogs

It is no secret I love dogs


Must we really???

With attitude like this what's not to love?
However it's not just the furry varitey I love, I am very attracted to Doxie's. I really love Badskirt's doxies available to buy here

So image my joy when I noticed a link on the Spoonflower website for How to make a Doxie Necklace I was intriged and followed the link to Etsy and found this fab little boy, with full making instructions.

I love him. I am going to make a list of projects to do when I'm off for Christnas and he's on it. Now this list may never be completed but I at least like the idea of snuggling up on a cold winter's day with a list of projects to play with.

Great news

I finally heard from St George's Market and I'm in for the Christmas craft fair on 4th & 5th December. I usually apply during September and hear by October. This year they didn't put applications out, I just phoned and it dragged on & on. Finally I got a call today to let me know I had a stall.

I also have a ladies retail pamper evening in Belmont Tower on Thursday 25th November @ 7.30-9.30pm.

Unfortunately this means 3 weeks of major sewing, oh man. Hope to see any locals there.

Crafts for Men

I have long said if people could come up with crafts for men at fairs they would have a winner. After all do we not make our OH's trail around after us. They are a captive market stuck in a room being forced to walk in circles. so when i saw this I thought it was getting close.

Mustache Flasks

Available from whimsy and ink. It may also be a nice gift for that someone special.

Sabbatical

Sabbatical (from Latin sabbaticus i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year.

Sometimes I feel the world is full of overcommunication - mobiles, emails, facebook, twitter, blogs - I could go on. I don't do social networking as I think it is slowly breaking down the art of conversation, but that's a whole other post. A well earned break is as good as a rest. I spent the summer relaxing, horse riding, smelling the roses

Merlyn; my trusty steed for summer jumping
league at Tullynewbank

Work started in September and was like a steam train of sleeping, travelling and working, So here I am after a techno break. I've done a few craft fairs and a little sewing. I have a few projects brewing and I will be touching base more often with what's going on.

little parcels

A pretty parcel, about to go on it's way to a new home.

Charms, Jellies and Quilts

So I took the head staggers, and ordered some lovely fabric from Hulu. Vicky from Hula sends out lovely email newsletters. While scrolling down I noticed some pretty fabrics. I have been having quilt hankerings for a while, so I thought I would start off the easy way and ordered some moda charm packs and jelly rolls from the Califona Dreaming range.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with them. Quilt blogs here I come.

New bags

Some petite baguettes have finally reached the shop.

I really love the short, chunky chains.

A small victory

Monday night saw my first ever horse jumping competition at Tullynewbank Stables. I had horses most of my childhood, but I never competed, as I'm just not that brave. So when I signed up a few weeks ago I wasn't entirely sure I would go through with it, but I did and I jumped all the fences without knocking any down. I did this in both my rounds and gained a double clear.

To say I was proud was an understatement and I got a rosette for my trouble. A truly cherished item.

Having faced a big challenge, I feel empowered. I have signed up for the next competition but it really is all about taking part.

A splash of colour

A little summer brightness in the kitchen. Pretty gerberas

The box is open

So I finally opened the box... and it contains a new sewing machine. Yes, it has been sitting under the stairs for many many weeks unopened. I think the problem is I don't want to stop using my old work horse, but the time has come.

I have ended up with a Brother 350SE.

This was the machine I have wanted for a while, but when I went to go and buy it, I was told that they didn't have it. When my husband went to pick up the machine I ordered, they give him the one I wanted from the start. It is a domestic sewing machine, but is definelty more up to the work load than the current one. It has lots of fun features, but the biggest thing is that it is quiet, very very quiet.

It has lots of fancy stitches, most of which I will use only occasionally but I am very excited by the lettering function.

I'm not really sure why this is so exciting, but it really does appeal to me. The possiblilities are endless.

So my first project is was a roller bag. I could just have used the old machine but I clearly needed the word "Rollers" on the front of it.

I really love this owl fabric by Michael Millar, but the owls were just a little big for most clutches.

Still lots of experimenting to do, just need some projects to do....

Don't worry about my old machine. I am going to get it serviced and use it for sewing the bottom seams and as a general back up.

let sleeping dogs lie

Sorry I have been a bit sporatic with the old posting, I have been.... well not doing much other than working, dog walking and sleeping. My mystery box still sits under the stairs waiting to be opened, which I plan to do today. More of that tomorrow as working is over for the summer.

The dog walking does usually happen but has been a bit more important lately. My beautiful dog, has been a little creaky lately.

He is very stiff and sore when he gets up, which is not good news for a 4 year old. I think we didn't want to admit something was wrong, but that all came to ahead, when he hurt himself getting into the car to go to the groomers and started limping. The groomer propmtly told us he couldn't clip the dog and sent him home. So we have started to do shorter walks 2 or 3 times a day. We have also put him on cod liver oil tablets, which has made a huge difference. Our little pup has got a new lease of life and seems much happier in general. The big up side for me is extra walking.

Bird Houses

I spotted these on Sunday and I just fell in love with them. The colors and arrangement whisked me all the way to New England. They have fab blue slate roofs. Unfortunately the birds around here will have to wait for a slightly cheaper hotel.

They also had this chicken coup on show.Definitely a penthouse apartment for chickens.

If you want to have a look at some more, check out chic-hen's website here.

A selection of pictures from Mount Stewart

The calm before the storm first thing in the morning.

All set up, ready to go. Where is breakfast?

My table. I try on these smaller tables to hold back and not put too much stuff out but I'm not always too sucessful.

Pretty baguettes, really like this navy japanese fabric.

 

A few little zipper pouches.

My petite baguettes, with new chains. Love them, want one for myself.

Hard at work

I have been slaving away for the last few days doing turbo sewing to get some more stuff ready for my next craft fair. Why is it, we believe there is never enough stock???? Just a few more. Who needs sleep.

These little unmades are waiting to be matched and attached. I feel like a Vegas wedding chapel, hitching things together at break neck speed. No time to savor the prettiness. They will be mini clutches soon enough.

A mystery box

A box is living under my stairs, something very exciting is inside it. It has been there for a week but I dare not open it properly until after the fair, or I would get even less work done.

Projects

I should be preparing for Mount Stewart craft fair but my mind is else where. Mainly at work :(, but occasionally wondering to other things. A sneak peek.....

Fabric for sore eyes

A little bit japanese yummy fabric to keep you going, which dropped through the letter box.

Coursework is over

Hoorah, I finally got my coursework marked - as some of you may know I moonlight as a teacher during the day. It has been sitting mocking me for weeks, months, even.

I'm the sort of gal who works well best under pressure(!) generally out of necessity, due to the fact I leave marking my coursework until the last minute.

The problem is even though I wasn't doing it, I was thinking about it and feeling guilty about doing everything else. Well it's done. I'm happy. Sewing inspired even.

9 Tips for Craft Fairs

I posted on Etsy forum about craft fairs and I thought I would post about it here as well in a bit more detail. I am no expert and do not claim to be, I do about 6 fairs a year, here are some of my tips.


1. Pick your fair carefully. Venues and timing makes a real difference. Christmas is a massive time for me but small fairs aren't quite as good. So I am better shelling out for the big fairs and doing less of them. Better return for my time.

2. Target your customers. Not every fair lends itself to the same sort of stock. I do 1 or 2 summer fairs and I always bring more mini clutches (purses) because people are more likely to make these smaller purchases.

3. Have a unique selling patter. I like to draw people in - for me it is talking about the fabrics I use, where they come from, why I picked them. It is less "hard selling" and more getting them to do more than lift a bag, set it down and walk on. It also means they are more likely to come back or check out my website. Talk lots about your items being handmade locally. People often assume that products are bought in and sold on. Local produce is big.

4. Practice setting up your table. This is my big weakness. I want to put every bag on show, but I can't the tables are tiny. I sometimes over clutter and need to take stuff back off. I always tell my customers I have loads more that aren't on show. It would be the first time a customer is behind my table poking in my stock boxes.

5. Business cards. Make them pretty. Thrust them on everyone - if they can't remeber your name they will never check you outwhen they get home. Make them useful -I have calenders printed on the back of mine and stumped up for a glossy finish. I know I usually keep a card with a  calender.

6. Lighting. This can really make you items pop. I don't shell out for electricity at every fair - £30 a day ($45) is just too much - but if it's free or a couple of pound I pay for it. It really makes a difference when it starts to get a little darker.

7. Try not to look like a market trader. I know it's cold and you want to wrap up but do you really need to wear your entire wardrobe - especially that raggy old jumper that is so warm. Invest in good quality thermals - socks, undershirts, even longjohns. Wrap a pretty scarf around your neck, pop a cute hat on. Wear your good coat when selling if your really cold, just not your hiking gear. Your image is everything, you are a crafter, creator, artist, you want people to buy the idea, the concept of your work. Bring your super warm stuff for setting up and taking back down when your customers are gone.

8. Bring food. This might seem obvious but you don't want to spend all your profit on coffee. Or worse still get there and realise there are no food outlets. I know you think "what sort of fair doesn't have a few food stalls for the visitors" but I went to one last year that had the food products separated in another tent 1/2 a mile from the craft tent - a big country estate fair! There was one coffee stand and no food stands within easy reach. I always pack a good picnic - rolls, crisps, bakery items, tea break nibbles and a big thermos, we don't always eat what we bring, but it's there just in case we need a pick me up.

9. Believe. This is the hardest thing to do with your own work. For my first fair my friend called in to keep us company for a bit and she was a master, very engaging, but she had nothing to lose if someone said they didn't like a bag, she didn't make it. Now it doesn't bother me as much. If someone makes a comment I don't take it to heart because I know my product is good and well made.

creme eggs

I love all things sweet, a little known fact about me - actually anyone who knows me knows well of my sweet tooth. My OH (he has a sweet tooth as well) & I  have been on a serious health kick since Christmas, it's been very successful so far, so can you imagine the horror of Easter, chocolate nightmare.... I am especially fond of Caburys Creme Eggs.

This year we have limited ourselves to only a few (ok yesterday a few too many) mini creme eggs, a truely satisifing little yum, but imagine my amusement when I found a felt creme egg by British Cream Tea

A calorie free option? As I ambled around Ouissi's Etsy shop, I admit I felt peckish, but that's only because her pieces are so life-like. Worth stopping by for a look. Now I'm off to maybe squeeze in another mini creme egg :)

Easter Cushion Gift

I always try to make something for my mum at easter. A few years ago I made a little felt rabbit, last year I made a chicken from a Sew Mama Sew tutorial, This year I saw a cushion made by Amy from Badskirt and it inspired me to make something similar but simpler for my mum's gift. The thing is I have never made a cushion cover or machine appliquéd. In my head it seemed easy enough and I insert zips into my pouches, so it should be no big deal. I have been toying around with this idea for a few days, but never got round to starting it,

Yesterday we were due for Easter dinner by 2pm and it's an hour drive to get there. We like to arrive early to help with the final touches, which means we usually leave at about 12ish. So instead of getting up early to start this new and unknown project, I chilled out in bed and watched the Grand Prix and didn't get started until 11.20am!!! I was doing well until I realized I had cut out 2 of the birds the wrong way round and didn't like one of the original fabrics I had chosen, so I had to start again. However, I did get it finished and we were in the car by 12.20pm. I was pretty pleased with the outcome (and the speed), there were a couple of things I would differently -like give my self more time :) - but my mum was super pleased and proudly showed it to all who attended today.

Not as good as Amy's but a job well done, I think I may give another one a go.