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

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

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

Another Spring blog!!

I think we have a right to be excited about the fact that spring is approaching. The mornings getting lighter, the weather getting warmer, spring flowers growing  (especially Daffodils)....

To celebrate the coming of spring I have designed a new brooch. I wanted to make Daffs last spring but I always have a very long to do list and very little time to do it in.

I am so please with the way these have turned out and have been getting some nice comments when I have worn mine. I am selling them for £5 including postage and I will be donating £1 from each one sold this month to Macmillan Cancer Support .

Also I have been meaning to write about the oil burner that I bought from Lauren Ceramics on Folksy. I bought it for Dan for Valentines day and he really likes it, it has been used loads already. Lauren even sent some cinnamon oil with it which is lush but does make crave cakes and biscuits.

Whats next? I am finally writing up some of my knitting and crochet designs into patterns. As I am new to this I will be looking for some one to check my patterns. I will do a seperate blog for this soon but if you are interested please leave me a comment.

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

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

Buttons finally!

Finally my new buttons have arrived. I have been waiting patiently for these, so have a few customers - oooppps! They will be in the my shop soon. I am still missing the black and white, but I told my supplier to just include them in my next order. I think they look fab here on Isaac's nuirsery painting.

All ready to go!

Out with the old overlocker....

and in with the new!

I haven't even had it out of the box yet, just haven't had the time what with bunting and doll orders. I have never managed to get the old one working properly. I will let you know how I get on soon. Today was a good day as I have managed to find dresses for fancy dress nights at the pub. They are being washed as I write and I will give you a peek soon.

B x