JUST CRACKERS

JUST CRACKERS

Skull Necklace - Comf!

Heart Bookmark - Nintai Jewelly

No these things are not crackers, but will be in crackers on the festive table this year!

Every year my family try and make a home made cracker present for everybody around the dinner table, the cost is around £5.00, this necklace is for my teen niece to go in a cracker, and the heart bookmark is for my mum, I'll get the Sis-in law to get a couple and Mum to get a couple.

I have decided that I am at my up most going to make my own Christmas presents or buy all my presents from fellow crafters, artists on Folksy, and failing that on Etsy or from Other British crafting outlets.

We set ourselves a limit of £20ish on Christmas presents anyway, and have listed ideas below, if anybody comes up with ideas let me know.

Cracker Present

(has to fit in a Toilet roll, and can be fun, sexy, humours, get my drift...)

Husband Neil - No Idea! Reads, plays computer, loves tools

Brother Mark- No Idea! Loves Rugby, VW Caravans, and the shop Fatface!

Sis-in-law Jan (brothers wife) - Loves Jewellery, green & brown - £5 Earings?

Mum - Reads - HEARTBOOKMARK - DONE

Niece Bethany- Anything teenage, boys, skulls (Lucky!) - SKULL NECKLACE - DONE

Nephew Thomas- Loves Dinosaurs, Green, Yellow, PS - Thinking Finger Puppet?

Me -Anything!

Main Present - £20ish

Mum - Make-up/travel bag, yet more jewellery, clothes?

Sis-in Law - Jewellery , make-up bag

Niece - Skull 16" Cushion, one of mine in Pink & Blue (Easy!)

Husband - Thinking printed T-shirt?

Brother - Thinking Printed T-Shirt / VW Pic / ?

Nephew - Thinking printed T-shirt (see where I am going!!!)

Also like to point out Thomas my Nephew already has a pile of things made by me, but have yet to finish his stuffed felt letters, spelling his name, and every week he asks, 'when is Karen going to finish my name!' (as he can only spelt TOMS at the moment!)

Me - Anything.....

K x

LOLLIPOP CUSHIONS FROM SANTA!!

BY BLONDE DESIGN

Just uploaded these to folksy, country charm meets lollipop flowers! I have inherited my fathers very large stash of beautiful fabrics, from herringbone weaves to tweeds, all are ex-military, or quality suiting 100% wool fabrics, which would cost the earth to by in the right shop, all have have been stashed away in a trunk, and now take pride of place (admittedly a very large space, and they weigh a ton), in my fabric cupboard.

I knew I wanted to do smart cushions with these without trying to be to cheesy or them looking to dated, if you catch my drift. Perfect for cuddling up on the sofa in front of the fire and a mug of hot chocolate. If anybody else has any other ideas on what to embellish on the front, let me know, and if you come up with an idea I will use, I will send you your very own cushion!

I have priced them at £20 for the large ones and £15.00 for the smaller ones, I know I could go higher, because if I had brought the fabric, there wouldn't be a profit, but then I am less likely to sell more. Kx

I'm in the NewYork Daily Newspaper!!!!

This is an article from today's Friday NY Daily Newspaper, supplement. I guess it is the equivalent of the Evening Standard Friday supplement.

My Cushion made into the bottom right hand corner, and was told by the NYDailynews, it was the firm favorite, amongst the team, how exciting.

All I need now is for the article to bring footfall to my Etsy Shop!

I'm waiting with my sewing machine and overlocker at the ready...........

REGRETSY - HELEN KILLER

Helen Killers Comment

"And I like to think somebody broke your soldering gun before you could make any more of these"

http://www.regretsy.com/

I have stumbled upon this website/blog called regretsy, it is basically taking the rise out of some of the stuff produced on Etsy. The site even links you back to the item for sale on Etsy.

Etsy are aware of this and don't condemn it, as they think it brings sales and footfall!

And they are right, some of the objects, art, sewing and knitted items are just so WRONG!!

but they sell!

Some of the items, which I didn't even know existed, can be seen as risky or X rated to others, and as per Helen's heading; 'handmade - looks like you made it with your feet'.

Helen Killer's comments, underneath each item just adds to humour, I haven't laughed so much in weeks (this of course does depend on you having a warped sense of humour).

Kx

THINGS ARE ON THE UP!!

I'm so happy.

I have had a great week this week, and I just hope it carries on getting better! It may not seem much, but if I was to carry on selling the same amount each week, my sewing skills may just bring in a pre-Christmas little bonus to spend on presents or filling up the house with food and drink!

I have sold one of my Olive the coffee cosies through
Hunkydoryhome, 1 apron through blondedesign on folksy, some supplies of plain totes through my blondesbackyard on folksy, plus 2 of the 10" red and black skull cushions for a Christmas present through babyblondedesign on folksy, I almost sent them out only to see a comment that the little girl had a pink and black room! So I quickly emailed her to say I will make her 2 pink and black versions, and she is over the moon.

I was contacted by the New York Daily News last week, they are going to put the orange large cushion in an article! And she is going to send me a copy after.

So I am now almost out of skull cushions, and after having a light bulb moment, realise that if something sells well ~ keep making them!

Before I go, and catch up on everybody's blogs, thought I would show you my latest little make, teacup pincushion for sale on blondedesign on folksy & Etsy.
Last but not least....
At the end of the month I am going to do a giveaway of this lemon spot floral half apron...so watch out next week for a giveaway post where all you will have to do is write under the article and I will pull a name out of the hat. Kx

CUTE AND COOL BLOG STUFF

As you may have noticed I have gone from simple to downright over the top with my blog header and background, there is nothing like a total change, but you never know next week it could be different again! I could theme my backgrounds with my blog of the moment!!

This is all thanks to a blog site called Cute and Cool blog stuff , and has free stuff for you to use, some of the designs are amazing, she also does tutorials for those of us still trying to get our heads around HTML!
Anyway take a look you may just get yourself an idea, and it has now inspired me to start revamping my own blog with my designs (which will take me about a year!!)

Shabby Blogs is another blog who also has free downloads and ideas to get you going.

Happy Loves Rosie is just pure British Kitsch, the only way we can do it! And again she has blog banners for sale, and can also make one for you....

Last if you have still yet to work out your HTML codes to show a word which is then linked to another page, Bloggertipsandtricks shows you how easily.

Enjoy

BLONDE'S BACKYARD BIAS BINDING

VINTAGE 1" DOUBLE FOLD BIAS TAPE

MODERN FLORAL 1" BIAS TAPE

CHOCOLATE SPOTTY DOTTY 1" BIAS TAPE

All from BLONDE'SBACKYARD

I don't know if you are anything like me, but until now I have always shop brought my own bias binding tape, but find that now rather than using plain tapes on patterned fabrics, I want to venture out and use pretty, vintage or funky fabrics as the edging as a highlight and plain linens, calico's and cottons as the main piece of fabric.

I have started making chunky bias binding for my shop blondesbackyard, and next week hope to add daintier tape in 1/2" double fold or 1" in single fold.

Since I have started, I now realise how easy it is, and wish I had started sooner, but then every thing takes time, and for those who would rather spend time making something in the evening, than trying to make bias binding tape on top, keep an eye on what I put in the shop, you may just see some you want to use....

I went out and brought the tape makers but if you go to this wonderful blog by Lucy Bloom, she explains just how to do it without all the fuss, although she doesn't explain that the fabric has to be cut on the bias, 45 deg angle, otherwise you get twisting and how to join your pieces together to make one long piece of tape. I will add a tutorial to the site to show you how, but for now take a peek here CREATIVE LITTLE DAISY

I tested this out about half an hour ago, and it really does work, 100%, and she is right you don't even need to lift the iron off the board! so now I have no excuse for not having the correct width bias tape for my project, OK so it means now finding fabrics with wonderful small designs and prints as the larger designs don't work as well... oh well I'll just have to go fabric hunting:-)

K

ICKLE HOODIES! FROM RAGGTAGG

www.folksy.com/shops/raggtagg

Just stumbled upon this shop in folksy, how cute are these!! Ickle Hoodies.......Babe's in the hood!

She even does cute girl's pinafores in fleece. All the girl needs are a pair of matching stripy tights and a plain polo neck underneath!

Kx

COUNTRY STYLE LAVENDER SACHETS

http://www.blondedesigns.etsy.com/
Packs of 2 lavender sachets for your draws! Tied with jute and filled with french lavender.
Kx

BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS

www.folksy.com/shops/blondesbackyard

On Friday I recieved off ebay a white cube tent to take photograghs in, so after spending Satuarday night in front of the TV watching X Factor and sorting my mounds of buttons I seem to collect everytime I walk into a junk shop, I then went about photograghing them on Sunday, with the added bonus of not using the flash and getting shadowing. The button pics don't really show what I was so excited about but I then took some photos of my egg cosies, which I have yet to organise and wow they came out fab. I will upload those tomorrow, I am now wanting the almost human size version!

Anyway I hae started sorting my buttons out and selling them in my back-yard in sets or mixed sets.

FOLKSY HAVE GONE ALL FRENCH

Welcome to Folksy :: Mould, sculpt, carve, solder, cast, glue, go!

For those of you who haven't already taken a peek at Folksy today, they have gone all french on their featured items and my poodle bag is included! I love the felt macaroons, the earrings, the cushion. pin cushion, tags, all of it! And note how most interpret the colour pink into all things french!

PINK FRIDAY CUPCAKES!

WOLLYWOTNOTS BLOG

I have been featured on Wollywotnots blog along with lots of lovey cupcake stuff!!! go take a look via the link below. As yet I am still not so good at putting the link inside a nice title say 'pink Friday cupcakes' so if anybody can help me with that one task, it means I get to learn something new today.....

http://woollywotnots.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/pink-fridaycupcakes/

How funny, I went to the hospital today to have 3 moles removed - Lets just say, I have the skin of my fathers, he was a ginger nut, and they say you go out with people who look like your parents, and lets just say many years ago I had an unhealthy shark like, hunt for redhead men/boys to date or snog! (ah did you ever call it sharking?!), anyway back to the story, got in to theatre, with my denim wedges still firmly attached to my feet, only to find out the surgeon didn't have a clue which one he was removing off my back, as my back is like dot to dot. And as I can't see my back, I was not sure which one it was, so he spend 5 Min's taking photos on his mobile of my bare back and showing them to me...... I was still none the wiser and we decided only to remove the 2 moles I knew, oh and the surgeon did delete the photos from his phone, much to the amusement of the nurses. I'm guessing the wife may have had something to say other wise..........Kx

SALE STUFF - £5 BARGINS

http://www.folksy.com/items/63439--SALE-Boxer-Tote-Bag?shop=yes
http://www.folksy.com/items/63827--SALE-Clown-Tote-Bag?shop=yes

I have added a couple of more things to my sale, as the shop is looking a bit bitty and need to get back into my spare room! Both these totes are fully lined with strong handles and are looking for a new home. £5 BARGIN.

Gorgeous handmade designer tea cosies for tea pots - - Hunkydory Home

Gorgeous handmade designer tea cosies for tea pots - - Hunkydory Home

Thought I would show you, my black Ollie the Owl tea cosy and pink Olive the Owl coffee cosy have make it on Hunkydory Home website. I feel proud of them sitting there on the page!

They can't have the one off retro Ollies as I would not be able to repeat the orders. So I am looking for another 2 fabrics which I can buy as I need, which are of a retro feel, but need to be as a curtain weight fabric as the lovely dress fabrics around are to flimsy and would not stand up to the job (stand up!- Ha! - Sorry). So if anybody has any ideas C&H fabrics, Laura Ashley....

Kx

SALE STUFF

I have slashed the prices of my lavender babies and brooches to £3.00 each come and grab a bargin................!!!!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/BLONDEDESIGN?page=4

OLLIE'S BACK!!!!

OLLIE THE OWL CHILDRENS CUSHION

Well after what it seems a long time away from blogging, making and just doing things for me! I'm back. Looking forward to making a few more things, and one thing I did notice the moment I stopped uploading new things people stopped looking and buying, so people clicking on those new items must bring sales in!

I am going to make another 2 versions of this in the Mutli (pinks) and the Sage Alexander Henry 'Zoo' fabric, and use as this one Laura Ashley check to match.

http://www.folksy.com/shops/BABYBLONDEDESIGN

AND THE WINNER IS..........

Well Done Renee G, an apron will be winging it's way to you as soon as I get your address via email.

OK I am going to give away a pair of baby dress / bibs on face book, uploading them tonight, click into my face book page, and I will be doing the draw on Friday. For this all you have to be is a fan, no need to leave any messages.

I will be doing another give away apron at the end of this month (August). Keep a look out........... Kx

(ps. these are my husbands hands not mine.....!)

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! CUTE APRON #2

So we have reached the end of the month and I almost forgot to do my apron giveaway, another of my one off vintage style aprons I made, using good grassy green cotton calico, a vintage paisley scarf from a charity shop and a piece of vintage floral fabric found in a junk shop, I am going to do a giveaway on Monday night (tomorrow night!!!).

Just post a reply to this post saying anything and all those names on the list will be put into a hat and first one picked gets the apron.
Kx

ITTY BITTY LOVE KITTY

http://www.folksy.com/shops/theothermousie
http://www.folksy.com/shops/TheWarren

Oops I done it again, I just brought Itty Bitty Love Kitty from The other mouse, as Widjaw from the Warren was getting lonely doing jigsaws in the fruit bowl in the kitchen, and thought Itty Bitty could give him some luv. Kx

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE NOT SO UGLY

THE GOOD

http://www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk/hunkycat/index.php

I have been contacted and asked to sell my Ollie Tea cosies & Olive coffee cosies on a website called Hunkydoryhome, they have a few sellers from Folksy, so I am very happy to soon see them being sold on there, they have some fab bits and pieces and they make their own retro lampshades which I love, so may have to purchase one for our spare room, will let you know as soon as I go on line, which I think is for September so could get a few more Christmas sales!

THE BAD

http://www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk/

Not normally one to talk about my family, but my father passed away on Friday from Cancer and we have found this lovely woodland burial park a couple of miles from my Mother in Epping Forest, it is a wonderful place where everything has to be biodegradable and only a small wooden plaque or carving is allowed and the forest is maintained and not disturbed. We have chosen a coppiced Chestnut tree to put his ashes under (we though it fitted as he was a ginger nut!) which has 4 trunks like a big hand, which you can sit in, and listen to the sounds of the forest.

THE NOT SO UGLY

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/
My Baby Blonde design stuff has been accepted to sell on Notonthehighstreet, which I know could generate a lot of sales so again am chuffed, my only problem is the cost! I know of only one folksy / etsy seller selling on there (halfanacre) so may have to wrack her brains as to sales and did they increase a lot as to warrant the cost, if anybody else sells on the site, I would be grateful for your knowledge and for you to say yes, do it!!

Kx