I'm back!

I'm back and I'm happy.

I have been sewing and sewing (looking after kids in between) and then more sewing.

After thinking I would give it all up (because you cannot make any money doing this!) I have given myself a bit of a kick up the bum. I have had some success selling though a few shops, Folksy and selling to friends and I have decided that if I sew, sell and save I can go back to Canada for a big holiday with my brother next year.

So now I am determined and positive and have a bit more self belief and I'm doing the thing I really love!

Christmas card and Christmas presents

These are my Christmas presents for my mum and sister - hope they like them. Mia designed them and I transfered her designs into these little hoop pictures. Mia's just finished a book about mermaids - so that's her thing at the moment.

So - here it is, our Christmas card, drawn by Mia (age 10), coloured by me (aged 44 - I think?!) printed by Andrew and stuck to card blanks. Now all I have to do is write them.

A friend said "It must be cheaper making your own" - where does this myth come from? Making things yourself is never cheaper on time or in money. But that is just what makes made things more special. Please world start to get it!

Christmas craft

It's time for more Christmas craft and today it's my latest make, for a friend - 'Merry Christmas' bunting. Each flag had an appliqued letter on it and then there are three appliqued pictures. My friend was really pleased with the finished item, and I'm now onto making a cushion for her (a little less complicated perhaps!)

A little something for Christmas

I've just taken a few photo's of these little bags I've made to sell on my stall (and I'll list them on Folksy too.) The light was really bad today, it was so wintery and rained most of the day. These were my best pictures.

Each little house contains a sugar mouse, the idea is to keep the bag year after year and put in a new treat to be hung from your tree. Me, being my usual cynical self thought maybe the kids of today would rather have a Big Mac and fries hanging from the tree. However I sold a couple at my last fair, so maybe there are still some sweet kids left!

A collection of owls

I have a lovely friend, Sharon, who has recently opened a sweet shop and I have been helping her by making 'one-off' unusual things to add to her shop. I made these owls for her halloween window and I'm now onto stockings (to fill with her sweets) and tiny bags to hang onto a Christmas tree. (more picture soon) Hopefully (!) a few may sell and I then I will have some pennies to spend on Folksy - wishful thinking!

Bunting finished!

At last I finished the happy birthday bunting for Louise, actually I would have finished it earlier, but I loved it so much I didn't want to let it go. So I had to take lots of pictures of it, and with a tear in my eye I let it go. Luckily its new owner is lovely and was so pleased with it (she's taking it into work to show it off) so I knew it would be okay. Bye bye baby.

New projects all-round

I'm making bunting at the moment, it's nearly finished and it's especially for my friend Louise. It's going to say 'happy birthday' plus have 3 special picture flags included too. They are a big sailing family so I have included a sailing boat.

I've included my pencil drawings for you to see and a few of the letters and finished felt pictures. All I need to do next is the bias binding (which I need to buy) and then it's finished and I'll have to find another project.

...Ahhh, I love a project.

I don't know if you can read the small print, but this a new arty venture. A group of crafts people have got together and are taking over an empty shop in Newcastle. They are called 'Made in Newcastle' and I'm going to have to check it out. The idea is to sell your makes without any overheads, in return for your help in running the gallery, running a workshop or cleaning. The shop is theirs until the owner finds someone who wants it to rent and then they have 28 days to pack.

I believe the gallery will open on Saturday 10th July GOOD LUCK to everyone involved.