WTY Week 11 OOPS!! Now week 12

Sorry folks just realised missed a week so week 11 is now rolled into week 12, not sure how that happened but busy, busy.

Spring is almost here the birds are shrieking in the trees and Easter is just over a week away. Last week I mentioned a very good friend who has opened her B & M shop and I had to do a gift for the shop a couple of mini totes with her apple trademark and name.

Party Time

Party bags following on from Kim's gift above but in a Vintage Tigger print bouncing with Piglet, who does not love Winnie the Pooh and Friends.

had to add some personlised bags, the samples are girly pink and blue for the boys, applique balloons with the child's name, a perfect keepsake

Think this collection may get bigger with all the ideas buzzing around my head.

Have a Happy Week and enjoy Easter, not too many egg hunts mind

Apple Crafts open it's doors

Well done to Kim and Andy for finally realising a dream of opening a fantastic bricks and mortar shop.

Apple Crafts 

The Green, 

Chapel St.Leonards, 

Lincolnshire. 

Kim has worked so hard over the years and even though times are tough has taken the plunge, knowing Kim as I do the shop will be perfection and her workshops and classes second to none. If you want an excellent teacher, brilliant products then look no further than Kim at Apple Crafts.

Whilst this is sort of Blogging Thursday, have done zilch this week. Did make a couple of cards one I forgot to take a pic and another for a birthday in April, so cannot publish atm.

The weather turned wintery again on Sunday evening/Monday morning whilst only a smattering of snow the north wind was biting.

WTY You Blogging Thursday Week 10

What an odd week weather wise, grey with drizzle, little sun and at times bitterly cold. The snowdrops are in full bloom and the daffodils and crocus peeking out hoping to find some warmth. First signs of spring? or more winter weather to come? Gardeners wanting to get into their gardens to tidy up after the long winter we have had this year but with a northerly wind beat a hasty retreat to the potting shed.

I feel this has been a long winter and I know others have had it harder but so looking forward to warmer days, we will probably all moan if we get a heat wave in the summer and then be wishing for cooler days.

On with the crafting a long slow slog at the moment as have been spending days sorting through 'stuff'. I said I thought this de-cluttering would take all year and whilst I am happy what I have done so far, standing back does not appear much and yes will take all year, my impatience wants it all done but sooo tiring. 

Cream Roses and Lace Pillow

Anyway ordered some monotone cream and beige rose fabric, now what to make? felt the callings of a heart, had the mini lace doilies, embroidered a cream rose and added a handmade organza flower with a perfect pearl and diamante centre. The new crinkled ribbon just lent itself to be attached with mini flower beads. I am happy with the result but this is a OOAK, I prefer to work this way as my mind moves on quite quickly.

Jane Austen

I live not far from Chawton, Jane's home and that of her brother Edward, Chawton House, now used for works written by women in English during the period 1600 - 1830. Also used as a wedding venue just perfect and so elegant. As there is so much about Jane at present thought I would love to make something that reflected the Regency period and getting back into reading her books since O'Level has inspired me to hanker after those gentler times. With a cameo and Jane's words a book holder to hold a treasured book.

Book Holder

Well not a lot to show for a week but with the weather getting better just want to be outdoors tidying up the garden, or rather supervising DH, lol

Thursday Blogging Day No. 9

With another smattering of snow and the weather so cold, wind coming in from the North tried to stay inside warm and cosy as much as possible this last week. Still de-cluttering think this task is going to take a good year.

Suddenly remembered a birthday at the end of February and she loves cats:

and a new boat, now what could I send as a boat warming gift:

Bought this seaside collage fabric last week, had no idea what I was going to use it for but just loved it and think fits the bill perfectly.

Filled 2 black sacks for the dump and 1 for the RSPCA and that was just Sunday morning early.

Have a good week all

Wow Thank You

WTY Blogging Thursday No. 8

Week 8! almost 2 months and whilst still small we are keeping going. No makes from me this week apart from a tag idea I have been playing with, in a vintage style and had to include some machine embroidery.

De-Cluttering

As crafters think we all buy stock and store some of which is used immediately and others that gets put away for a rainy day, just in case buys or because we want it. Having been crafting for over 30 years I have plenty of 'stuff'. Having been suffering from a creative block recently and so fed up spending ages looking for that certain item I know I have but cannot put my hands on thought now is the time to 

de-clutter. The sewing machines have been hung up for a small amount of time, well okay I admit they are still there and ready to produce if the calling gets too bad. The de-cluttering has started and after sorting and repacking the fabric ottoman and cutting out table have a huge bag for the charity shop, a bag for ebay and space.........

Feeling so much better and clearer to think and only done a small part,  I had been dreading starting and you know how it is you procrastinate which is the best way to tackle such a mammoth task but the creative side is calling but then not there, would highly recommend to anyone. So much so that DH has started on the top attic, again boxes for stuff bought in case needs to go back, old tv's and computers now all relegated to the dump. The attic spaces may not be clear yet and like my sewing and work rooms have a long way to go but oh boy feel as if a weight has been lifted already.

Perhaps this is to do with Spring and a long held tradition of cleaning out the houses, washing curtains etc before the onset of the long balmy summer months, okay hold that thought may not exactly be long or balmy but we can live in hope and so true that de-cluttering your home de-cliutters your mind.

I follow the SPACE formula as aired on Oprah years ago by Julia Morgenstern author of 'Time Management from the Inside Out' an excellent read if you have the time:

Julie's Organizing Formula

• Sort: Identify what's important to you and group similar items.
• Purge: Decide what you can live without and get rid of it (e.g. donations, sales, storage, garbage).
• Assign: Decide where the items you keep will go. Remember, make it logical, accessible and safe.
• Containerize: Make sure they're sturdy, easy to handle, the right size, and that they look good. The art of containerizing is to do it last, not first.
• Equalize: Spend 15 minutes a day to maintain what you've done.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/home/SPACE#ixzz2LE4tSLzb

and it works, so often I have 'De-cluttered' to rush out and buy storage first only to find half not needed or not right for the job, sadly we do not have the half the wonderful storage products available in the US but with a bit of finger searching on google amazing what you can find.

As said at the start of this post not a lot of crafting atm but Spring just around the corner a time to clear the mind, shake off the winter and look forward to the summer.

Check out Wow Thank You proudly supporting UK artisans

WTY Blogging Thursday No. 7

Welcome to week 7 of WTY Blogging Thursday and what a week back to snow and beautiful wintery scenes but oh so cold, roll on Spring.

Been a busy week at home and not as much made as would have liked but after some thought a couple of personalised tooth fairy pillows, they are small enough to hand on a door of a child's bedroom or from a bed post

Starting a search for craft and gift fairs for this year, already booked 1 for late November and have another in the pipeline. Made a decision this year to only do local that way DH can help me load and unload and come back and collect me later in the day. I admit these events will be mixed but like the idea of promoting more local, makes my business better known in the community.

Check out Wow Thank You for wonderful gift ideas for any occasion.

WTY Blogging Thursday No. 6

Been a cold week although been lucky and no snow at present, feel for all those stuck on the roads this past week, not fun. Have been making this week but spend more time waiting fro delivery of components then get bored and have moved on.... Went to an excellent networking event for Ladies yesterday morning (Tuesday) in Alton, very good. One lady has offered to take my business card to Grayshott Spa, just up the road from me, she works there when they need help after leaving having spent 18 years in the beauty treatment industry to branch out on her own, they have a shop on site and she thinks my items would fit nicely. Another lady organises craft fairs in Alton town, out under gazebo's so maybe in the summer months when a bit warmer, I am a coward and do not fancy standing out in this weather. A good morning of networking. Well onto the makes for last week:

Easter Time

Bunnies hopping around the newly blooming bulbs so what better but some Easter Hunt goodie bags

Easter card with a cheeky bunny

Breakfast table setting for 1

A new project, just love this patchwork bra design and on a handbag

Check out Wow Thank You for all the items shown above and more from talented crafters

Back to the grind stone...oops meant sewing machine