Is it me or do other people develop obsessions for things – recently it’s been all the re -runs we have had of Sex and the City, which is made even better by having Sky+ so I can record whilst David is watching something non girly. He doesn’t mind me watching it, but it’s not quite the same as I know he doesn’t like it (and thinks SJP looks like a horse… which is mean!). But even more urgent than that obsession is Pushing Daisies – love, love, love – I am so envious of Anna Friel’s clothes – so beautifully retro and 50′s, she always looks sickeningly glam. And it’s kind of fairytale-in-a-messed-up-way, which is a guaranteed way to earn Brownie points in my book. Anyway, I am probably unhealthily obsessed with it, but never mind – if you haven’t watched – well, where have you been?! I got a lovely parcel when I returned from the craft fair (can’t believe a month has gone by since the last one – and I can’t wait to work part time so I am not going crazy trying to get things ready in my “spare time” – 2 weeks now – hurrah!) which was my swap for the Russian Doll swap I joined in – I haven’t finished mine, and I haven’t got the camera (David has it with him whilst he’s in Holland) so I can’t show you pics, but I love the bag and doll Clare sent me.
The craft fair today was slow, but I managed to make something, and my Etsy sales paid for the booking, which was good. Haven’t got any decent pics again, but I made some new aprons and tea towels with prints on them - I have spent a lot of time with Bubble Jet Set so when the camera is back with me I will have a bit of a Show and Tell for you. Sorry if this is a bit of a rambling post – I have had 5 hours sleep, and been on my feet all day – I am not going to try and make other things for tomorrow, I have enough and am happy to take orders, and I can’t face anything else for a few hours. In fact I am going to have a ginger biscuit, a glass of milk and go to bed. ‘Night xoxo
That pretty much sums up yesterday for me – my bridesmaids and I met to choose their dresses (finally scraped the money together! – doesn’t help when work haven’t paid £140 in expenses either….), have some food and watch a film. I’m starting to get excited about the wedding now – it’s starting to seem a bit more real now (Duh – Claire finally gets with the programme!) and in between my mates trying on dresses, I tried on a load of tiaras and random hats (love trying hats on – when I was younger I used to wear a lot of hats, although not all at the same time…) and believe me, some of them were random. We managed to find dresses for them both with ease but are waiting for one to come in stock for the size we need so that’s good. They have both got black prom dresses, one in duchesse satin, and one in tafetta I am happy, they are happy – we’re all happy. I know a lot of people have looked at me oddly when I told them that the bridesmaids are in black, but I think it will look chic and elegant, and on a more practical note, at least they could possibly get some more wear out of them rather than being stuck in their wardrobes forevermore. Watching Sex and the City was a wierd one – I love the programme and missed it when it finished, but still pick holes in it. I figured before we went in that it would be a “marmite” film – I would either love it or I would hate it. If you haven’t seen it (and do, it is worth seeing just don’t expect it to be just like the series – it isn’t) I won’t spoil the plot for you, but it left me thinking about weddings and why people get married, and especially the bit leading up to a wedding. When I get stressed (which is becoming increasingly more often) I sometimes suggest to David that we just skip it all, go to a registry office and have done with it. I won’t, but I have to admit it is tempting. I suppose the wedding has to reflect why you are getting married as much as the people who are being married. I don’t know what ours will say about us, but I am still determined to not get caught up in the “you must…” mentality. The only people who can insist on what we must do, is ourselves…. Cos that is the point to it all. ‘Nuff said I suppose… The film did make me giggle quite a lot, which was just what I needed after what was a very long week at work. On a lighter note, I have borrowed a sewing machine from the ladies of the Textile Workshop, where we have our little craft group each week, and on their advice I will be taking me sewing machine back to where it came from – apparantly loads of people have had to and there were even rumours of the distibutors in trouble… Watch this space to see if I get a refund! I think I will be buying the one I have borrowed as it’s lovely and sews without complaint (which really is the point of having a sewing machine….) So many people have said to use my mam’s old machine for embroidery, which is what I think I will do, as I have spare bobbin cases I can loosen the tension on and have a play…. Thanks for the transfer love – it’s been good to spread the wealth, so to speak. There are loads more I haven’t scanned in, and I am waiting for another bundle I won to be delivered, so watch this space! If any of you are interested, I am going to be having a go at the designing a new banner for the Feeling Stitchy blog – I’ll post on my progress when I have some! It looks like fun and it will be great to see other people’s work.
Hope that you are enjoying the sunshine whatever you are up to xoxo
At long last! I have been meaning to update the Etsy shop in so long – I really have neglected it – check back over the next few days to see even more new items being listed xoxo
Back again after yet another bloggy break – feel like I should be writing lines out as punishment – “Must be a better blogger” “Must be a better blogger” “Must” – I’m bored now, but you get the point! I have been spending what feels like every waking moment making things and packing things and generally worrying about whether my stuff would sell. I had 4 hours sleep on Weds evening and worked til midnight last night, up again at 6:30 and pretty much getting straight again on the sewing machine to finish off my bunting for the stall….. I am so tired I have reached the “I can’t get warm” stage. So tonight, instead of pushing myself to do more I am going to have a bath, finish off a couple of bits of hand sewing for tomorrow and then have an early night. I haven’t been very pleasant to be around recently, so if you are reading this and know me in real life, I am sorry. Normal service will be resumed soon! I placed a lot of pressure on myself for this craft fair, mainly because I need to be able to pay for the honeymoon, especially so now I have been told I may be (read: probably) made redundant in July (month before the wedding – great!) so I need to make money, basically. I have applied for a secondment to a more strategic post within the same organisation, which would be working 3 days a week, leaving me 2 days to do Pinky and Boo stuff, which would be wonderful if I got it. I had been to the same organiser’s event recently in another part of Nottingham to see how it was set up, and there have been a number of “urban myths” flying around about just how good this craft fair is, some people making £600 in a weekend. Now, that is a lot of money and would see me rightly. So, the pressure got to me. I chilled out nicely with the Stitched Up ladies on Wednesday, and have had some great support from Vicky and Pamela in particular (thanks guys!x) but still been manic, mainly wondering whether I would have enough stuff to sell (after a conversation with someone on Weds who worried she hadn’t got enough) but the amount that was rammed into Vicky’s car today, and the fact I wouldn’t put all my stuff out showed I didn’t need to worry. However, I only managed to have my camera phone on me to show you what the stall looked like – proper photos tomorrow. The walls of the marquee were filthy, so tomorrow I will be taking some sheets and bits to cover them up, and probably move the way I have displayed stuff. Apparently Fridays are a bit quiet, but Saturday is great, especially as it coincides with the fortnightly farmers’ market – more people who are interested in buying up pretty thing hopefully. I made back the weekends’ site fee and the same and half again, so I am happy for day one. The otheer bonus to it being quiet was chatting to some lovely people who make fantastic stuff, which made the day pass really quickly.
Anyway, I feel a lovely hot bath coming on, probably followed by a slice of lemon cake and an episode of Pushing Dasies I recorded last week….Back tomorrow xoxo
Sorry for the bloggy break guys – wasn’t intentional at all and some of you may have noticed I was lurking around commenting. I have had a sinus infection for a week, thankfully starting to clear up now (just to move into a bout of hay fever….) and felt so lousy all I could do was repetitive tasks I didn’t need to think about and respond, which is why commenting was great – I didn’t need to think of something original of my own! I have been spending every waking minute it seems in like forever getting things ready for the craft fairs I am going to – first one is 16th and 17th May in West Bridgford, Nottingham (if anyone is in that neck of the woods, please pop in and say “Hi”) as and when my brain will let me do anything. Which hasn’t been often – I intend to take some nice pics of the bits I have finished this weekend. I never seem to take nice pics really, shameful when I look back at them. I used to have better results with a standard (non digital) camera for some reason. But I will get better – oh yes! Anyway, I thought I would show you some pictures of the swaps I took part in. The lunch bag I have already blogged about, and this is what I sent Laura, my swap partner. She said that she liked moss green and rust colours together, and a had this lovely vintage pillowcase to use, and bought some (kinda moss-y) green apple printed oilcloth to use as the outer. I also made a matching place mat and included a vintage napkin and some chocolate for her. Hope that she likes it. I made it to fit a box in the bottom, as I frequently take leftovers in, or a salad for lunch. For some reason Blogger changes the format of the picture so it won’t go the right way round… Aaargh! My second, vintage swap partner was Amy. She’s got a lovely blog - go and have a visit (which reminds me , I really need to update my sidebars…) and was soooo easy to find things to swap with her. Too many things in fact and I had to pare my ideas down into something reasonable! Amy sent me a lovely shoulder bag and matching purse (which if you read this I have had loads of compliments on and am using for work today), tons of vintage fabrics all tied up with lace and trim and packets of buttons tied with trim. As you can see from the pictures I have some serious booty there and have folded them all up (I have, honestly!) so I can mull over what I am going to make with them. I made Amy (this is me, going “off on one” now) an apron with a vintage design of a poodle (Amy decorates cakes, so I thought about baking, tea and cakes, that sort of thing) although this isn’t the most practical apron ever, although I am very pleased with how it turned out. I also made a teacup pincushion for her out of some vintage china (like me, Amy doesn’t drink tea) and some vintage napkins for when she eats cake. I am really pleased with how they turned out, and my first swaps were great. The only downside to the whole experience is wasting hours, or what feels like hours in the post office in town for rude staff to mess you around. To stop me going off on a rant, here’s a picture I took yesterday in Hyde park - I escaped there after my meeting – it was so nice and warm, we have been really lucky with the weather we have had, so I treated myself to a small ice cream and enjoyed the sun for half an hour before fighting my way back on the tube to St Pancras to catch my train back(which for me means being able to sit for a couple of hours and embroider…. Not bad eh?) xx
Or rather, no shop at all. Was pootling round Etsy on my lunch break to log in and view my shop. There is no shop! I tried updating the shop at the weekend and for some reason it hasn’t saved any of the changes I made, but wiped everything off – Bah! I may update it tonight but I have a mass of things to do and little time to spend on updating it, which takes a while to re-size the photos (although in return for cooking dinner tonight I may pass that job on to David as he’s far quicker than I am on Photoshop). If anyone is a fan of Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie -I quote “Damn, double damn and and extra slice of double damn!”
And the winner is (drum roll please…) Shabby Chic (sorry, I don’t know your real name, only your blogging one) -please drop me an email and I will send you some lovely bits and bobs. I enjoyed this one, and it was so nice getting the warm fuzzy feelings I always think of when I remember my childhood, so thank you all so much for sharing them with us. I have decided that giveaways are great and, since I do need to clear my stuff out, I may have a craft supplies giveaway next, maybe for my 100th post, although my rate of blogging, won’t be any time soon!
I did try posting over the weekend in between trying to get loads of other bits and bobs done, but had to save the draft as I was so frustrated at the upload speed for photos that I gave it up as a bad job. Including trying to update the etsy shop. Here are a couple of pictures of the new things that I will be adding once the images have been re-sized (boring job and I hate it – does anyone have any tips on doing that quickly and painlessly? I use Photoshop to save and resize the image although I am sure there must be something easier – al help is appreciated! I have been really busy making things recently – it was Faye’s daughters’ birthday yesterday – she’s an April 1st baby the same as I am, and her granny, my best friend Rachel’s mum wanted me to make a blanket for her, so I made this onebacked in vintage flanelette and I put on some vintage baby buttons and applique’s that Edie gave me ages ago and I had saved for something pretty. I made her a felt bunny with vintage fabric applique (one of the old 50′s dresses I wore at Uni) filled with lavender for nap times. It’s been really wierd crafting recently – it seems to be all I have done in my spare time (well judging on the state of the house, housekeeping hasn’t been high on the agenda….!) as I am really paranoid that I will turn up at the craft fairs I have booked with nothing to show. Since most of the things I make take ages as they are hand embroidered or crocheted, I can’t just churn things out production line style. Anyway, I am going to make a small number of everything I make, like these Matroshka needle books, and keep half for Etsy and the other half for the craft fairs.I want to get loads of stuff made too so that I can ease off making stuff to sell with making stuff for the wedding. I am also making a dress to wear for my friend Vicky’s wedding, and embroidering a shawl she will wear using the Weldon’s spring flowers I psted ages ago. As well as working on my swap stuff…. Aargh! Craft overload! Need to slow down and blog more – it makes me sit back and appreciate what I am doing , as well as generate new ideas for other things to make. If uploading pics wasn’t such a royal pain in the behind I would do it more often…. Anyway, I shall get back to work now – to be back again soon x
Apologies for the distinct lack of blogging this week (and I was doing so well recently!) but life has been somewhat hectic recently. I have managed to fit in quite a bit of crafting though, but no time to take pics (apart from this one of some knitted cakes I have been making for the craft fairs I am going to have a stand at), so this is really jut to let you all know out there that I am having a birthday givaway. I need to spice my birthday up a bit this year as I have to go to a 6 hour regional management meeting (6 hours of discussing service development plans – I must have been really bad in a past life, or is that a slight exaggeration?!?) so it’s my way of making things better. So, lovely bloggers out there, I will enter everyone’s name who leaves a comment on this post (or any subsequent posts I may manage between now and next week) into a hat and draw someone out at random. But instead of leaving a random comment, highly appreciated as they are, I would like your comment to be about your favourite (or if you have many, one of your favourite) childhood memories – I have blogged a fair bit about what I remember from being a child, so this is your turn now. Don’t be shy – share the love! In return, the winning person will get a parcel of Pinky and Boo goodies sent to them. Haven’t decided what will go in yet but I am thinking a vintage apron, a pin cushion, maybe some other bits and bobs that I will gather up. So come on, leave a comment if you want to be in the running for some freebies! I will draw names out on Tuesday evening (after I have got in from the meeting) xoxo
That’s an imaginative title for todays’ post isn’t it? I have been away for a week but I have managed to get quite a bit of crafting in since I last popped by. Not got many pics taken of things though (it’s the lighting that’s the problem – hate using the flash for close up photos – makes everything appear in the wrong colours!) I do however have a couple of photos of what I made for my best friend Rach’s birthday. We have spent 2 lovely fortnight-long holidays in Cromer, North Norfolk and I know that Rach is never happier than when she is near the sea, so for her bithday, as well as some other bits and bobs I thought I would make her a couple of things to remind her of the lovely holidays. I made a little photo album that could slip in her bag and have a look at on a boring day at work (we all have them…) – on the cover is a picture of me “grafitti-ing” a sea wall with some chalk we found on the beach. I also made a purse with 2 pictures of Cromer that I printed directly onto some vintage sheets I stuck to freezer paper. I did, however, break David’s new printer in the process – be careful if you are printing onto fabric – we have a “top feeder” printer and the one at work was much better being a “bottom feeder”…. I made the purse up via Heather’s tutorial, which is dead easy to follow. I lined it in Kaffe Fassett quilting fabric - purple with lime green dots, and Rach loved it. I am making her another one with pictures of Pinky and Boo on it, and she would like it lined in pink (to match Stella’s ears). I am so pleased with it, and the new machine David bought me for my birthday (it’s on a couple of weeks but was a bargain so I have it early…) and Heathers’ instructions even made putting the zip in easy, and that’s the part I HATE with a passion! I’ve also been making some more needle cases for the craft fairs I have lined up, and I may also list a couple of them on Etsy when they’re done. I’ll take some pics and post them this week. Pootling round in the pictures I have stored I did find these from my London trip – the taxidermists in Islington Get Stuffed. I couldn’t believe the size of the Polar bear in the window, but it did remind me of a couple of stories my Dad used to tell me about when I was really young. The first was me rubbing my snotty, cold ridden nose in some fur coats hung up in a department store (this was also the day I managed to clear entire shelves of packets of shirts whilst my Dad was carrying me on his shoulder. Methinks I had been given some sweets before going out that day..) and the second was a very vague memory I have of a trip to the Maritime museum and a polar bear being on display, and within very easy reach of small children (as far as I know it still is, silly museum staff…) and, me being true to type, rubbing my face in the fur, but, it being very old being covered in dust. Thinking about it I can still vaguely remember the feeling of the dusty fur, so I must have been about 4 ish…. Dad always reckoned it was my first protest against fur coats. I reckon that it was simply an early sign of me liking soft fluffy things x
Don’t know what’s happening with the blogging – it seems I have a lot to show you and getting round to actually doing it too. My word, I wonder how long this will last! After feeling a bit under the weather last night and this morning, I was cheered up to find an envelope waiting to be opened up from Heather in Arizona. I’d won a giveaway on her blog to win Kitty. She’s lovely and I think I will use her on a workbag – something that I will use often rather than something that would only be used occasionally, although it is tempting to put her on a handbag. Heather also put in a tracing of a radish by Vogart – perfect for including on some of the new aprons I am making. Thanks Heather, it’s lovely! Checking my blog I also found I had been given the Random acts of kindness award by Rebekah, so thanks a lot for that – it’s lovely. I’d like to pass it on to Elizabeth, and Drewzel, and in fact all other people who make my day by reading this little blog and passing comment on my ramblings – you’re all great! Bouyed up by all of this I have started tidying up again, and made some more Pinky and Boo lables I use the transfer paper you can buy in any stationers and print them, then iron them on to double faced satin ribbon. Need to buy some more paper next week as I need more lables and have run out of paper.
I’m going to throw myself in the shower now and then have a wonder down to the charity shops to see what’s new – if I’m lucky I may even be back tomorrow with some thrifty finds x
- I have spent a lot of time with Bubble Jet Set so when the camera is back with me I will have a bit of a Show and Tell for you.
