Babushka Love

It is pretty clear that I love them.......

.......but so does B-side Metalworks.

1. Englishpreserves
2. SewnNatural
3. MemiThe Rainbow
4. Autena
5. Beaky
6. TheRusticOwlB-side Metalworks
7. RegalCottage
8. HummingBoxStudios
9. TulipMade
10. Hootandeye
11. Broid
12. SavageArtworks

Which is your favourite? I think mine has to be the twilight owls.

Thanks for the treasury!!

B-side makes some beautiful personalised jewellery and some fantastic wire work -

Perfect for your valentine

❤

See you again tomorrow ,

B xxx

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

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 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

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