Knowing when enough is enough

This is the title of a fantastic blog I have just read by Patricia  , the full blog can be found by joining Women Only Connected, then follow this link. Joining WoC is free and well worth it if you are a business or just want to interact with other women.

I won't ruin your read but after reading the 2 sections titled 'When to Stay With it' and 'When to Go and Try Something Else' some of the questions in the latter section rang a few bells for me. One being: 

• You have tried “everything” and it’s just not working

I think we have all been at this point at one time or another and sat back and thought 'why bother'. I often ask myself this and do wonder, the problem is I have a passion to create, yes I take a 'holiday' and do things for myself, read catch up on some box sets but keep getting drawn back to my machines and needles. Something in me keeps me going even though my sales do not. 

I am lucky that I do not rely on my makes to live but that does not change the fact that I would like to sell more. See some reports of Etsy sellers having sales of £100's a week, look at their shops and think why? others that like me have no sales again check out their shops and cannot see why not. Maybe I like things others do not but how do you know what people want?

Are people really selling or is it just to make them feel better.

Is it pricing, too high too low?

So many questions and every answer you look at is different. 

We are in funny times and maybe by Friday things will be clearer (or not) depending which way the votes go.

Come to the conclusion very true that 'nowt so queer as folk'. We are all different, all like different things which is good and I know that some where out there are my customers, who have not found me yet. So for me I will keep plugging on, still making things to sell as I love what I do.

On an aside my fur baby was 6 on of all days 'D' day, he has grown so much and these years have just zipped past.

The sun is out maybe a spot of gardening, have fun

Bluebirds and Queen Bees

Another beautiful week here in Hampshire England, so much so that I have not done much at all, so bad lol. Did sell 2 of my lavender ladies and replaced the stock so busy knitting.

Finished off the vinyl key fobs for both bluebirds and Queen bees.

This then leads me to more stitching for the Queen Bee section of my website. Make up bags, tissue holders, mug rugs and more.

Loving these new photo boards and think they look good and add dimension without distracting from the actual product.

Off to sit in the garden with a delicious cup of coffee, slice of coffee cake pure decadence and a good book. Must make the most of this glorious weather as checking the weather widget 100% rain on Monday and cooler, eek! Just in time for a visit to the dentist yukk! on Tuesday.

Have a good week and see you next week

Lavender, roses and thunder storms

We have been having a mini heat wave in the UK but as normal Saturday morning brought a hum dinger of a thunderstorm and rain. Always love how it smells and feels after rain though as when it has been hot seems to freshen everything up. Even the birds seem louder and we have plenty of those singing in the trees from 4am, lol.

Makes this week:

Knitted bodice baby dress, this has been on my needles for some time and finally finished, think that the vintage style rose bud fabric is perfect for the cable and moss stitch bodice.

Still on a knitting binge and lavender ladies , these are so cute and fun to make. This is 'Freda' more styles coming soon.

With all this knitting have had a relaxing week, plus staying cool by an open window. Sometimes moving away from my machines is a good thing.

Until next time

Gardening time

Well now that Spring has really sprung the garden had to be dealt with, always looks tired after the winter months. Have created a new bed and with the turfs made a shady rockery under a tree. DH has worked hard doing all the manual bits whilst I did the designing.

Not been idle of the creating front a bracelet in Swarovski pearls and crystals to compliment the bluebird collection. Dainty for the summer

More beautiful weather this week and more long walks down by the mill and the river

Nothing better early in the morning when the only company is the wildlife and other dog walkers.

Have a good week

The final piece

Finally got there and the last piece for the bluebird collection is off my machines.

Clutch bag

The blossoms have Swarovski hot fix crystals in the centres, think goes well with the glittery fabric.

Seven pieces in this collection and although seemed to take an age to complete happy I finally got there. Added to my shop at Carolee Crafts.

Next project? either wedding or baby, not sure which. Currently knitting a bodice in moss stitch with a cable pattern,  which will have a fabric skirt. So maybe the baby/toddler items should be next. Decisions, decisions...........

Have a great weekend folks

Bluebirds continue

Been an odd week, cold winds, sunshine, sleet and hail. Heating came on as so cold just hopes the warm up happens for this coming week.

Been working hard in the garden, the shady rockery is not quite finished but getting there. You come out of the garden centre laden with plants get home and find still need more, an expensive business but fun.

More of the bluebirds this time make up bags and a larger coaster. Have a quilted pillow design still to do, then think time to move onto something different.

When de-cluttering found an ith bag that I had started but that was it, needed lining and a frame, got that finished as well.

Have got my new journal out and working on a Wedding Collection plus makes to stock in my baby boutique.

Check out the other blogs at Sum of Their Stories

Until next week, have fun

Bluebirds

Bluebird

by Wings:

Late at night when the wind is still
I'll come flying through your door,
And you'll know what love is for.
I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird
I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird

Been working on a new collection this time incorporating bluebirds, love these little birds. They match the handbag tissue covers from last week.

Key Fob

Glasses Case

Coaster

Happy with what I have accomplished this week, had been ready to make a couple of make up cases to compliment but realised that I did not have long enough zips. With making zipped items in the hoop on the embroidery machine, the zip has to be a lot longer to avoid the needle  hitting the stoppers of the zip pull. Consequently needed 8" and only had 6". Oh well more on that next week, I hope.

My new raised shady rockery bed is comping along well, got the large rocks need some large pebbles now to go round the edges, to ensure no earth cascades onto the lawn. Then the plants. Have plenty of small pebbles but none large enough for my plan. More expense at the garden centre, ll. Thank goodness have a £10 loyalty voucher to spend, this garden malarky can be very hurtful to the debit card.

Check out the other blogs at Sum of our Stories

Same place, same time next week, have fun