Presents!
Not for me mind!
Do you know, I love being a mum, It really is the best feeling in the world - to say it is all encompassing doesn’t seem to be enough. Nothing at all can beat the feelings of pride, joy and love, nothing. But with every ying there has to be a yang, and boy, has this been a week of yangs!
However, I’ve deleted this post several times now and will not inflict on you my rantings, musings and then platitudes that we all fall back on, what I will do is show you a picture of a few little pressies I’ve made the lovely women folk in my life. Its a rubbish photo, I’m showing it more as a reminder for me, but Aunty Irene, Aunty Marg, Nan and Mum - love you lots!
Look what I won!
There is a brilliant blog I read that is loaded with advice for craft folk trying to get into business called artists in business. Jo Whitehead, who writes the posts is an absolute mine of information and so helpful AND makes the most wonderful glass, she has a gorgeous shop on folksy called Glassprimitif. As if that isn’t enough there is also a monthly giveaway to subscribers so if your not already WHY, and REGISTER NOW!
look what I got last month
Isn’t it beautiful!
Playing with rings
So I’ve been writing my latest tutorial for Beads and Beyond and basically Its how to cover curtain rings and what you can do with them. I did this a while ago and have had a few bits of jewellery in my folksy shop and some buttons in Claires Buttons in Cardiff.
I’d forgotton how versatile this technique is, and I’ve been using different things to cover like bracelets.
My first experiments:
What do you think?
4th November 09
If any of you do your own craft fairs and make jewellery, you must visit Boo’s blog. Not only does she have gorgeous jewellery, but also lots of free tutorials. I’ve just made the necklace stand from her template and it really is amazing! Now I can display my necklaces properly as opposed to lying flat on the table. I am so envious of people who can think laterally (?) or is the word just clearly (!), i’m not sure, but she is one clever lady.
I’ve also been really remise in not mentioning the Crafteroo Children in Need shop we have set up again on Foksy. We have all donated items, and all the money goes to the charity, last year we raised over £600 for Comic Relief! So if you fancy doing your bit, while having fun at the same time, check us out here.
Finally, i’m buzzing this week, i’ve been featured on two, yes two fabulous blogs, one of my bracelets on Found on Folksy and one of my bags on UKHandmade. Talk about glowing!
An new flower pattern
02 November 09
I’ve mentioned Crafteroo a few times, for me, its been a life saver. Now, I’m not one for dramatic pronouncements, but it really has helped me. I had been toying with the idea of selling my wares, but never had the confidence or know how to. But after finding this craft forum I discovered lots of new friends who, though we have never met, have helped me more than anyone. Just being able to talk to people who share your interests alone is enough, in fact that really is everything. But aside from that wonderful fact I’ve had help, advice and support in the bucket load. I cannot say enough how wonderful the internet is!
Anyway, enough of that, I got slightly side tracked there, (but, getting side tracked again, I do think we are quick enough to moan if things aren’t right, but often not quick enough to praise if things are good) Ali, has a great blog, as does her other half actually (wonderful pictures of flowers) and has created a new crochet flower pattern and asked people to test it for her. Who doesn’t love a new pattern, so, with the boys packed off to Cardiff Citys match against Nottingham, I had a free Sunday afternoon! So, black and white film on telly, glass of wine in one hand and a hook in the other - absolute bliss!
What do you think?
I used a wool that I have been dying to use for ages, a beautiful Kid merino from crystal palace yarns and a 3.5mm hook. I love it, easy to follow pattern and a gorgeously delicate flower. I can picture loads, on mass, making a beautiful cushion cover…
So, if you fancy a fab new flower pattern, pop over to Ali’s blog, craft matters!
Halloween
31st October 09
I know I know, its bar humbug and all that, but I really don’t like Halloween, which is a nightmare when you have young boys! I don’t like being scared for a start, and really and true-fully, unless you’re a wicker it is pure commercialism. Sweets and polyester - thats all it is!
However, I do have two boys who embrace all the commercialism with gusto, so we have done parties, fancy dress, face paint and of course, lots of horrific looking sweets.
And pumpkins (and oranges)
Now this bit I love, the boys did the pumpkin, first time i’ve let them do it, god I was terrifyed - a sharpe knife and brut force in a 6 year olds hands? But they were great, and they absolutly loved doing it. The downside to them getting bigger and being allowed to do stuff though is that I didn’t get to have a go… hence the oranges! Which got me thinking, I might do some for Christmas - with less spooky designs, and they do smell nice!
Just some pretty pictures
15th October 09
I’m all ready for the craft fair on Saturday, and everything is tidyed away so I’m almost, note the almost, at a lost end. I could find lots of useful things to do; cleaning, tidying, finding lost things etc etc, but then I remembered some photos I’d taken last weekend when we went camping in Dorset with some friends. We’ve never really done the South before - but it is fimly a new favourite, we will definitely be going back!
Got to love the creative community!
2nd October 09
Well, after all those wonderful comments on yesterdays post, about how tidy my work space actually is, I thought ‘whats the rush’! Also, it being the first inset day of the year I don’t actually need to find anything today… so we went to the beach!
Rest Bay to be precise, another favourite especially this time of the year. We wrapped up and went exploring.
And climbing.
And obviously, had a game of football.
And found some more inspiration!
As with all my photos, if you click on them they will enlarge. This last one has lots of potential, which is unfortunate. I am going to have to tidy the room now so I can find my #1 hook.
Enjoying the moment
21st September 09
Inspired by vintage violets fabulous blog, I thought i’d share one of those wonderful moments that often get forgotton in the mists of time. We took the van up to the Gower on Saturday before our favourite site closes up for the winter, and on the Sunday we went to one of my favourite beaches, Rhossili, at the top by Worms head. We timed it well so we could explore the caves and rock pools around the ‘head’
Inspiration is everwhere though, and I have a fab neclace/collar idea from these gorgeous little mussel shells
It was a magic day, and rather than me rambling, i’ll let the picture do the talking.
A world without computers…
I have so much to say, its been building up for what feels like forever, and not being able to chat and listen to fellow crafters - the internet really is a lifeline! Ours crashed and burned for a couple of weeks but we are back! Lots of lost info, bookmarked sites I like to shop on, blogs and forums that seem to feed me, but its been fun trying to find them and finding new ones too in the process…
Also yet another reminder how bad we or rather me are at ‘filing’ things, so it might take a while before I am posting pictures again…
The boys discovered they could live without a computer (a real revelation) and I discovered that if I don’t chat and wander every day I too can accomplish so much more, and if I could connect my camera I would show you!
What I can do is link to a couple of blogs, and my flickr site for time being. The granny square swap is finished, bar all of us creating something wonderful with our ‘gifts’, mine is underway and should be the perfect thing to do in France over the next two weeks. Hannah over on spans-stitchin created the wonderful idea that was a joy to do, it took me out of my usual space and made me think a bit differently and try something new which is always a good idea. The best bit being what you received of course! Images of what I sent are on flickr To see what I received you need to check out these lovely blogs woollyholic and craft-matters. Luckily they posted pictures of the fabulous parcels they sent me!
I will post pics (I promise…) tomorrow and write more, I have lots of ideas floating around that I need to write down, but if I am to find lost things, pack and entertain 2 boys tomorrow, I need sleep,
sweet dreams.
