Love - is it real?

Over heard some ladies about 10 years older than me (I'm 32) at the work tonight talking about love. They were saying it doesn't really exist and that you think you are in love for the first 18 months and then you are just friends! I know they are all still with their partners and all have kids. I like to think I am still in love with my man (even though he may irriate me like hell some days and I'm sure I do him) and if they really think this why are they all still with their men. How would they feel if they left tomorrow? Is love real?

I remember being upset when Dan said he loved the kids more than me but kind of know what he means.

On a lighter note heres a lovely treasury from mmacdougall8 -

"A Little something for those who you love"

1 mojospastyle

2 DrikaB

3 elefint

4 sydneyhale

5 bottlecrop

6 Homako

7 HoneyPieDesign

8 Earmark

9 Ohjustjess

10 eringotz

11 Irenesuchocki

12 Beaky

13 oiseaux

14 pleasantleyplumpknits

15 sewlola

16 beanforest

What doesn't say love like a heart shaped jam tart for Valentines day? Made with love and homemade blackberry jam just for Dan!

I have to admit the idea came from Isaac my 4 year old. wheni said we were making jam tarts he thought I said "jam hearts!"

B x

Blue and Navy....

What a beautiful treasury by Yipestoo - Thanks x

1 Sknights

2 Artof the Moment

3 PrettyLittleThieves

4 VileThreads

5 FreshFinds

6 Dahliasoleil

7 Blueberrydogs

8 Gretchent

9 WillowNook

10 UrbanBoutique

11 GalleryByHarvestGold

12 Jenny4YourThoughts

13 TastesOrangey

14 BiojouxRouge

15 TaylorArts

16 Beaky

My fav has to be the peace bowl by Gallery for Harvest Gold because it would look great in my dining room (not that it is anywhere near finished but it will eventually be teal and the darker shade of green) for keys and other niknaks. It also makes me think of the places in the world that could do with a little Peace!

Which is your favourite and why?

Bye for now, I will be back very soon with more new bits and bobs.

Peace,

B x

Owls, Gnomes, Babushkas - Oh my!

Ok so its time to tell you about some of my new handmade goodies. I have been trying to come up with an owl design for some time. So on a cold January evening I felt inspired to get out my pencil and sketch pad. Isn't it funny? Some days you can draw and draw and draw some more but you just can't come up with that great design you are looking for. Then on other days it just appears on the paper with very little effort. That winters evening was definitely the latter - yippeeee!

So excited was I that I had all the felt cut out and was playing around with ribbons, buttons and fabrics. I can often be found doing this for no other reason than I like looking at them, sorting them, eating them..... Well may be not eating them but you've got to admit some of these buttons look good enough to eat.

This one would make a perfect pincushion.

Hang them by the fire - Not to close though, I don't want be responsible for anybodys house burning down!

Pop one in your underwear drawer for nice fresh undies.

Carry one in your hangbag and wip it out and take a big sniff when the kids are driving you potty.

Hang in your wardrobe to keep moths at bay.

Oh and remember I am always happy to make some with out lavender, I know not everyone loves lavender like I do.

I don't really have much to say about this except that I love gnomes! Not enough to have a garden full, enough to make a Gnomey brooch . I do think they are cute and cheerful and they make me smile.

What silly things make you smile?

Lastly my babushka purses. I made a few of these last year and found them a real pain to make. I realised I was going about it the wrong way and now they are a breeze. I really, really love these and hope you do to.

I use mine to carry my business cards, you can get at least 20 (yes I have counted!) in it.

Think thats enough from me. Loads to do and I'm off to London for the weekend with the girls so really should do some ironing and packing. Child free weekend - Yay! I love them but I love time away from them.

Thanks for reading,

B x

A haberdashery of sorts

Tonight I have been working on my new etsy shop. I have been wanting to do this for some time. Its just finding the time. Heres the new banner, I am really pleased with how it turned out.

I have called it Beakyberdashery as it is a haberdashery of sorts. I will be selling lots of bright and fun supplies for crafts. Here are just some of the buttons I will be selling -

...and heres some more -

There will be new and vintage supplies available including this gorgeous vintage embroidered ribbon which is currently available in my other etsy shop Beaky.

I hope to start listing over the next few days. I will also have fabric, buckles, bags and will be destashing lots of beads and other bits and bobs too. 

B x

Bunting for boys!

 As people said they liked the idea, would stock it in their shop and my eldest said he would like some for his room. Here it is! It is so bright and cheerful - look how well it goes with the boys room.

When I showed it to Isaac my 2 year old he said "Wow!". I think that means he likes it. Whats not to like? Robots, lightning flashes, red, turquoise......

I have listed it in the Etsy shop already and will pop it in the Folksy shop later today.

I'll write again in a few days, I have some fab Easter photos of the boys to share with you. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments, I love reading them and hearing what you guys think. Wishing you all a wonderful and chocolate filled Easter.

B x

Babushka bunting

This idea just popped in to my head the other day. I can't believe I didn't think of it before! Most of my ideas get written down and can take ages for me to get around to. It alreday available to buy here.

I just couldn't wait with this one and made it on Thursday night while Dan was at the pub. I should have been making some of my crocheted bunting for a special order but I figured I can make that on Sunday evening.

I machine appliqued the dolls,  well I thought it was about time I used some of the many functions on my embroidery machine. I have only really used it for straight and zigzag stitch.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if the boys will let me hang some of this around the house. Probably - if I can make some with robots on it instead (thats another idea to add to the list).

Oh, and I wanted to show you this too. My little cupcake number! I made this for my friends daughter who was two on Thursday. I plan to make more after she has test ran it for me. I also bought her a Fifi backpack which she has decided she wants to take everywhere with her.

Also I forgot to say in my last blog that my trip to London with the girls was lots and lots of fun. It was so great catching up and having a whole weekend together. I will post some piccies from my trip soon.

B x

I have written my first pattern!

My Sir Lucas knight hat pattern is finally ready and for sale. It has taken a lot longer than I expected, I thought I could just type up my notes but I wanted to make sure it was just right. I have to admit I have had a little help with it from Emma Lamb. Who very kindly checked the pattern and gave me some very helpful suggestions.

I only emailed her the pattern last Wednesday and I got an email back on Monday to say she had finished it. The photograph below shows how she got on - brilliantly! I also love the fact that the hat is black very Darth Vader-esque. I may have to make a black one for my shop.

Talking of shops here are some photos from my Charity shop - shopping spree last week.

Such a cute hat with sparkles running throught it, just £2 and brand new. 

Buttons on shoes!!! Again brand new and only £3.

Two pairs of curtains and 2 vintage pillow cases - £2.50

A Sterling silver bracelet for only £1.25

Lastly how could I leave this Spiderman suit when it was only £3? Definitely worth it, look how happy he is.

Back to my patterns, I am now working on writing up my Molly hat pattern. Oh, and I have a fab bunting idea that I want to try out too. I'll show you the results of that soon.

B x

A badge in a little crocheted jacket!

Yay! I have finally got around to making some of these. I had this idea a little while ago and have been meaning to try it out. They came out better than I thought they would.

These are great fun to make, choosing colour combinations to using buttons. Most of these will be one of a kind as I love using vintage buttons and coming up with different designs. This is one of my favourites -

There will be a selection of these available at The Gift Tree and both my Etsy and Folksy shops.

The cards are made from some fab postcards I found, I am a sucker for stationary. When I bought them I didn't know what I would use them for. Now that I do I wish I had bought more.

I'm sure I will be making more of these soon, after I have made a few of my new crocheted flower brooches. Another idea I have been toying with for a while. I will blog about these soon.

B x

Oh such cute brooches

How cute are these brooches? I ordered them for a craft fair I am doing for Mothers day from Sophie Isobel Designs. She has a lovely shop on etsy and an equally lovely blog. Until Feb 23rd  all proceeds from sales in her shop will go to the Red Cross for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal in Australia. What a generous thing to do.

They came nicely wrapped and tied with ribbon. Sorry I didn't get photos of that as I was so excited that I ripped them open with out thinking. But they still look like this!

Every one is handmade and one of a kind.

 I asked Sophie to make one especially for me, but when they arrived I changed my mind.This is one of my favourites.

But this is the one I decided to keep and it is now on my new spring jacket. 

Well the weather is starting to get warmer, isn't it? Oh and the craft fair is at Burbage Millennium Hall, Leicestershire on Sat 7th March in case you are interested.

B x

I saw them and had to buy them!

I love getting parcels even when I know what is coming. I get all excited like a child and tear them open the minute they arrive. I got these today aren't they just wonderful? I saw them and just had to buy them, I knew they would be great for put some crafty bits and bobs in.

As you can see they are! These gorgeous felt beads are from Kirsty, the lovely lady behind Paperfish. She has a shop a few shops on Etsy and one so far on Folksy (I'm sure there will be more). I am going to be making these in to simple little stretchy bracelets as they sell really well when I do craft fairs.

I also recieved my jute bags, these have been popular and I have some new designs planned.

I have already been busy and finished one of the new bags, its a new colour too. I love these bright Dala horses. These will also be available with a red, yellow or blue horse.

With my jutes came my new packing bags. I usually buy packs from one of the many pound shops in Leicester, but the last time I tried I couldn't find them anywhere. It worked out cheaper to buy in bulk and they are eco friendly. 

With a choice of black white or pink, it had to be pink.

B x

For Charity, mate!

Just letting you know that members of the Crafteroo Forum have come together and have a Comic Relief shop. This is on folksy and is selling handmade items and all proceeds from their sale will be going to Comic Relief. If you would like to join in click here.

I have donated two of my Lavender dolls. 

 I wanted to add a screenshot of the page but just can't figure out how to do this. I have a Mac if any one knows and wants to share, that would be great. B x

Hello doll face!

I have decided I needed to write about my babushka dolls, they seem to be very popular at the moment. I cut out enough to make 100 and still found it wasn't enough. Heres a pile ready to be sewn.

I love making these little dolls they are so bright and lovely and they make me smile. Some have Lavender in so stuffing them is very relaxing. My boys always get really excited by them and always want to play with them. So much so that I have given them one each, with lavender of course.

I had to take lots of photos of the dolls to use on Etsy and Folksy. I think they look great all lined up like this.

I even think they look cute all packed up, even though it feels a little cruel to wrap them in plastic! Yes, i know they're not real. I have one as a pincushion and I can't bring myself to put pins in her face. 

Here is a photo kindly sent by Emma of my dolls hanging in her shop  White Doll Arts

she also has a shop on Etsy

Where she sells pottery if you hadn't guessed.

Phew they are keeping me busy and I still have outstanding orders for 20ish. B x