Handmade Monday

Well the snow has finally gone, we now have rain. I quite enjoyed the down time with the snow and no one going in and out of our road. So quiet and peaceful. The village was silent apart from the sounds of sledges being pulled along by long suffering Dad's. Feet crunching in the snow, walking dogs or going to the village shop for supplies. Fire lit and the house had a cosy glow. Got through 3 books along with some creating.

Had loads of 'bits' left over from my card sets, did not want them going to waste and found I had some mini cards in stock. Used up a load of the toppers and ended up with 20 cards.

For Julia: Found my large sheet of sticky pads, in a drawer which I had checked, honestly. I now have a plethora of sticky pads all together in one place, lol. Problem so happy I found these that forgot what I was searching for, put it down to age, lol.

Projects this week?

FAIRY CARDS

Age Birthday card sample, several fairy types to select from and made to order

WEDDING PLAQUE

Again a sample and made to order

WEDDING CARDS

3 designs all personalised as required.

MIXED MEDIA CANVAS CHALLENGE

Finally a mixed media canvas entered into a challenge. Keeping this one for my own sewing room, even DH was impressed.

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Looking back cannot believe how much I have achieved this week, funny how some weeks are more productive than others.

Have a fun week x

DH's Birthday card & My Thoughts

I mentioned my plans to make DH a card last week, he is picky and hates decoupage, just hope he likes this creation. Took ages as had to piece all the bits onto the Jukebox. The records are raised but not actual decoupage.

Card's for men

Completed another set of card's

My Thoughts

Sometimes I think I have too much time on my hands, lol but this week sat reading the latest Belle Grace magazine from Stampington. their ethos:

Bella Grace is a special, 160-page publication devoted to discovering magic in the ordinary. Our aim is to touch the souls of our readers through beautifully penned stories and striking photographs that capture life's beautiful journey. For anyone who is tired of trying to fit ill-considered standards of what beauty is supposed to look like or reaching for unattainable ideals – Bella Grace gives you permission to just go ahead and toss them. Embrace imperfection. Celebrate your messy life. Shine a spotlight on small, everyday moments – they are special, and they are yours. If you are looking for the most creative, inspirational women’s magazine available today – you’ve come to the right place.

Not bought this one before but do love the Stampington magazines, always done on good quality paper and full of inspirational articles and ideas. The book has sections where you can fill out your own feelings.

I bought for the idea of Happiness Boxes, have started to put a few together to send as gifts, a lovely idea. More about those later in the year. All in all a beautiful publication and hence permission to myself to go back to Vintage style.

As you may be aware I have gone away from my love of Vintage and Shabby Chic designs a bit the last 18 months. Mainly because I got turned down for the Home and Vintage fairs last year. This threw me a bit and felt I was lost direction. At the same time do appreciate that not everyone likes lace and Vintage images. 

Got to thinking why can I not do both, my website, up to me what I make and display on it hence my new section: Amelia Rose. Named after my Grandmother felt this would be the ideal section to make and display all things vintage and vintage style, using reclaimed fabrics, lace and trims plus a bit of new for good measure. So ladies watch this space if you love this type of genre as much I do, you will not be disappointed.

I think as creative types we constantly strive for acceptance of what we do and want everyone to love what we make and understand what goes into creating a piece to sell. Sadly this is not the case and to some buyers it is just that an item to purchase. One thing I have learnt about business ie working for yourself you have to love what you do and instead of worrying about what others think look for those customers that have the same passion as you do for a particular style. They are out there.

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A productive week, must be Spring!

Another week and almost spring, I think we must all be fed up with this every changing weather. Love it when the Spring bulbs start to appear in the beds.

Been busy this week, starting with Bespoke Cards. Been thinking of these for some time and finally found some wonderful print ideas. Can be tailored with your own wording and name both the inner message and the outside of the card:

The next offering Pixie Baskets. This one is filled with lavender goodies, 6 gift cards with envelopes, 6 matching lavender sachets, 6 lavender silk sprigs with ribbon bows and a handy purple retractable pen. More designs including empty baskets to be added over the next few weeks.

Another card selection

Now working on DH's Birthday card not sure how this will turn out, as long as it does not have decoupage on it he is happy.

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Have a good week x

Coffee and Chat, Part finished projects and more cards

Another week and the weather with the rain has been horrendous, will always prefer cold and dry to mild and wet.

Met up with Jenny who runs Women Only Connected for coffee this week. Not seen each other for a while so a lot to talk about.

This weeks news:

Craft Studio Now Open

I have opened a section on my website for craft supplies, started with some pretty lace and organza creations. Can be used for card making and many other craft projects. Stitched onto crystal organza to add a shimmer.

More supplies will be posted over the next few months.

What else have I been up to? started a few projects, nothing to show though as still waiting bits and pieces to complete. One delivery though was going to be here Wednesday (14th) only to check and got that wrong but the 21st!

Been card making again, this keeps me occupied and does not tax my brain too much

Card for DH's friend

Bright and Beautiful Designs

Done 4 of a new set but then ran out of mini sticky pads. Hunted high and low but could not find any. Did find 3 boxes of blades for my craft knife, no need to order those.

The plan to really sort out my workroom when it gets warmer. In the sewing room everything has a place. Already found have duplicated some embossing dies!!!!

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Have a good week

Mothering Sunday or not?

Do you make for Mother's Day? (11th March this year in the UK). I always used to but looking back have never sold anything. Could be because most of my events I did had an older audience and like me no longer had their Mum's around. Or because the market like all 'Special Events' are saturated with products at low cost, hence prices I cannot and will not compete with. So decision time......

I have decided not to do 'Mother's Day' per se but produce a selection of gifts for women that can be given for any occasion. A gift collection that is for any special occasion, could be Mother of the Bride, Birthday etc. This opens up what I have made to not just one day but all year round.  Have included a quilt for 'Mother' but again all Mum's have Birthdays etc. Will show you what I have made in a few weeks time.

Now down to work actually done, had some lovely card toppers from Hunkydory.

La Boudoir

Stitch Delight

Floral Breeze

Have another couple of sets to use will post when done.

I wanted to make some cards that were simple and quick to do but pretty, reasonably prices and hope that someone buying a gift may add one or two to their basket.

Onto Pixie Gift Baskets now, little fabric baskets filled with delightful goodies, hope to show more next week. Just in the pattern drafting and ordering things I need stage this week.

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Sale Items

Every year I have a sale and this year have made a decision to radically revamp my stock, hence great bargains to be had.

Handmade Pink patchwork bra design bag.

This bag is so cute and with a fluffy trim to the top edge perfect for every Spring day. All for £7.00 plus flat rate postage of £3.00 on every order, just fill your cart.

Be back soon with more sale items

Bookbinding and having fun

I mentioned the bookbinding kit last week, well started making and love it think if going to continue will have to buy a more supplies such as a press as the books sandwiched between tins is not that safe.

This kit is excellent as includes papers, a lot only supply the tools. When buying a kit I like to have everything I need in the box, nothing worse than opening a kit and finding you have a long list of extra products to source and buy. Highly recommended.

Now for the results, two bound note books and as I love notebooks could not be more perfect.

I would love make these to sell but take some time and the parts are not that cheap so unsure if worth it or not.

Loved making these this week and so unusual to make something for myself, think we all need to have some me time every once in while and forget the business part.

Had a request to stitch a ponies name onto his fleece, delivered on the 26th and collected all done on the 27th. Hope Pumpkin (love this name) approves.

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