London Calling for 2012... Full on gorgeousness in the way of Ribbons!

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/93522956/3-trims-london-baby-mix-of-3-metre

Awwww, i am loving these ribbons and especially in this set of 3

London is pretty cool anyway, you agree? it has vibe, history, a certain degree of "cool"

but especially so in 2012!

We have lots to get groovy about this year...

 So the BigFish store is selling various sets of these Trims in 1 metre lengths.

I am selling a few of the Union Jack colourways by the reel too and they are selling like hot cakes.

 I am thinking: Brooches and Bunting and embellishments...

cardmaking, scrapbooking...

Cake Toppers and... wrapping around our semi naked selves?

 So, London is Calling for 2012

Huzzah!!

I am quite good to you :)

hee hee x x x 

Embroidery Hoop Decoration detail

 I had a mad 20 minutes last week when i decided to make this set of co-ordinating hoop decorations.

I have a box of these pretty hoops sat waiting for some various tasks...

and i also had a bag of scraps from my bunting making session and always i have little baskets filled with bits n pieces and scraps and ribbons and stuff i made or stuff i bought.... STASH! you know how it is.

 So, they are 3 different sizes and i hung mine as above, getting smaller. You can hang them anyway you like though but i like the 3 different sizes.

The first was so easy. I literally sewed up some long strips of leftover Christmas fabrics. I have used these fabrics and colours elsewhere in my Xmas Decorations so i knew they would fit in with the general home decor theme (if i have such a thing)

 The second two, i then stretched over with matching / co-ordinating scraps.

I have sewn the back of these like you would if you were making a yo-yo / suffolk puff thing. Whipped it round the edge and pulled it in tight - i can do you proper tutorial for some Spring versions after Christmas? Give you some real notes amd photos on exactly "how to" ?

 Anyway, the moral of this semi-tutorial is thus:

1. I decorated the hoops AFTER with the embellishments as they were easier to sew on once stretched in the hoop.

2. i did not plan it at all and just saw whatever happend. I like to work this way

3. it took about 20mins- seriously. 30 mins to hang it too.

4. it is dead easy and you can even take these out and change them if you want.

5. hang yours thus or differently or make a set of 5 or just a few small ones... whatever, it'll look good :)

 I am going to list these exact sets of 3 in the shop (hopefully both etsy and LPF by the end of today)

 But it is a bit close to Christmas now so, prod and remind me we can do this again in detail ready for Spring / Easter. I will be having a sale around February time so i may chuck even more hoop sizes into the mix ready for February...

 If you already have a hoop or 3 hanging around at home, why not use some cute Christmas Ribbons to embellish? My Artisan Bunting below is just an example of different bits and pieces you can add to your hoops.

Merry Front Doors

and

Happy Last Minute Crafting

and Annie.... THANKYOU x x x

Trim Trim Trimmings! *new-ness*

 I missed Yesterdays Monday Shop Pimp Post as it was still the School Holidays and it was Hallowe'en AND we had spoooooky stuff to do!!

So, Tuesday shop pimp:

Gorgeous "Home Sweet Home" fabric trim with a cross-stitch style print.

Being sold with a complimentary Aqua grossgrain and red polka dot ribbon.

 Then, vintage style Union Jack Trims which is so very on trend and grrreat for any Olympia 2012 projects.

In this awesome green and silver and the traditional colours.

I am liking very muchly :)

 A a double Tartan treat too.

I bought these for making some Scottie Dog collars and my own Christmas wrapping.

There is so much you can do with pretty ribbons. They make me happy!

I love adding them to my patchwork cushions and lavender hearts.

You can use them for cupcake Toppers or cake decorating or on Taggie blankets or as hanging threads on decorations... oh it goes on and on and on and on....

Closing Shop... and other *news*

 FRIDAY 19th August

Last posting day from any of the shops.... please get any orders you *need* in, to me, before Friday

I shall be taking a break until Sunday 28th August...

(a well needed break)

 Then it will be all systems go for the Christmas Stock!!  

and getting any supplies ready you might want for the Christmas Crafting mayhem.

I have a few FAIRS that i shall be attending and hope to let you know when and where

 >>>>> see sidebar information

(i LOVE a good Craft Fair *excited dance*)

 I will also be having a mega

CLEARANCE SALE

in this shop: http://paperfish.etsy.com/

so an ideal time to get some early Christmas Gifts at a fraction of what they are worth.

I am, as yet, undecided on what will happen to this shop...

I have ideas in abundance, but nothing set in stone

i am open to your ideas / what you like best from there / what it could become more of:

Badges? Brooches? Bunting?

A new style of Supplies shop?

NeedleBooks? PinPots?.....

 A few new Button Bags available in the BigFish.etsy shop

Pretty colour combinations to inspire you.

And i hope to get http://www.lovepaperfish.com/ fully up to date, on my return to work.

In the meanwhile, i have an Older Blog Post re-published here:

http://localcraftmatters.wordpress.com/

LCM is a *must read* if you are local to Northampton / MK / Bletchley area

Lots of info on craft clubs and artists and local vintage...

My piece talks about my way into Button selling... things have moved on even MORE since i wrote that piece and it is exciting to look back - and look forward!

xxx

Festival of Quilts Part.two..... stands and shopping

 SELVEDGE

If you don't know about Selvedge - click the link.

I have my critical / journalistic head on today so i might throw a few opinions around...

Selvedge is a beautiful and inspirational magazine.

The sort you keep, on a book shelf, in date order (and never lend to your friends)

It is full of adverts and costs a fortune BUT it is so very pretty and inspiring.

 The show sells a guide at £6 Lupin had one and it is a good reference of stalls and for use after the show.

After paying £12 entrance and £8 car parking, i could do without a guide but would have loved one if it was cheaper.

 Last year, the prestigous and coveted award of

"My bestest and most loved stall of the Fair"

Went to Kim from Worn &Washed (still a top top FAV)

But this year's lucky winner was JANET CLARE

so so pretty. Such a nice lady - very engaging and chatty even though the shows are exhausting for these dedicated ladies. Click - you'll love her work xxx

 Teenies and tinies.

Nostagia and whimsy.

Pretty and Vintage stylee.

 Lots of machine embroidery -

 i am simply going to put these into tiny frames and hang them in my Office.

AND a freebie dog pattern on her details sheet. Very cute touch.

 Some of the stalls and crafters really had a slightly too high opinion of themselves (i would never publically identify whom mind you)

A few crafter / designers had long faces and an exhausted attitude - did not want to engage in conversation...

A few had this sort of haughty response that the table dividing 'Consumer' from 'Stall Holder' was some sort of line establishing one side as "terribly special and important" and the other as "annoying pleb, just spend your money and Jog On"...

That is my only negative about the stands at the show.

Generally people were happy to chat with us consumers.

 Pretty and inspirational stall from Mandy Shaw.

 Lots of Christmassy bits and a very beautifully arranged stand.

 There were many many fabric stalls - of course! and some that i shop at regulary.

There were not that many embellishment stands but i did buy some sweet French Mouse Trim and a few wooden flower buttons as i had never seen these in the UK before.

I would highly recommend the FoQ

There are many stands but not MASSES like at some huge shopping events.

The quilts and displays and all that craft is truly inspirational.

My biggest message to any stall holder?

We know you are tired and it is a long week for you BUT keep smiling and being nice to the consumers. We are WHY you are there! You wouldn't have a business without us folk and we only want to chat craft with you. Feign interest in us and SMILE :)

You never know who's gonna Blog you!

xxx

Until next year.....

Stunning *new* trims on a GIANT Wooden Spool... "why Kirsty, wiz these luscious ribbons you are really spoiling us"

 Oh My!

Giant Wooden Spools, wrapped with pretty cotton ribbons to sew on your projects.

I *heart* handmade

made with love

Union Jack

 These are so lovely that i had to offer them for sale on the spool.

I will list them in 2m lots also... then i get to keep the wooden spools for myself  :)

 The Union Jack trim is here in time for any of your 2012 projects...

 I love new products...

I just L O V E them!!

More stuff to come...

and some sewing projects too.

I'm sacking my Staff Team...

 I am getting frustrated at my product photography.

I had a fantastic bathroom 'set up' for my photography in my previous house.

I just can't seem to find the ideal location with good white light...

 And these two aren't helping me much!!!

 WHAT are you doing fella?

I'm a bit busy here Boy...

"i can help Mummy, I'll just sit here and wait for instruction"

 You win Baggins Boy...

I am frustrated and now distracted by the fluffy face of yours.

 Yummy new products to shoot and i am so proud of them all,

but i hate it when the photographs don't seem to do them justice at all.

Sod it - i'm off to play with the Dog

xxx

There must be an Angel....

OOOOhhhhh, *squeak*

I have finally finished off the button feet on my Angels

And managed to list them in the shop (SnowFish)

 There are, currently, these 4 different designs.... well, the same Angels but with different dresses.

A Vintage Liberty Print front (love, love, love this fabric)

Plus a Ditsy Lilac, a Vintage Lace and a Tilda Pink

 There is alot of detail in these and fiddly hand sewing / embroidery bits so they take a bit of time.

I try and make them in batches so as to be a little efficient.

 They are in the shop so soooon before Christmas as i had a customer request for some but i already sold a few! (you know who you are) so i am thinking i might need to get some more sewing time?

Jo is counting buttons for me.

Alison is sewing some trees and bunting for me.

I've got PaFish ordering Mailers and an Office Chair.... as i type.

It is like Canary Wharf here, Man!



Mini-things...

 I spent ages doing up an old Dolls House once.

My dad gave me a tall work bench in his garage... actually that bench is now my studio cutting table.

But buying and making the miniature items to go in the Dolls House, was really the best bit.

 And i think that is the joy i find in making my NeedleBooks.

I like the technical solution to a problem: using the Eyelets and Bookring to secure the pages.

But really i like the mini-scene on the front of each design.

 I enjoy the colours and the trims and the spotty tags...

Putting the colours together and working out what looks pretty.

It's just aesthetics.

 Anyhow.

Sunday was quiet (SmallFish wasn't here)

so i sewed NeedleBooks. I walked the dog (several times. He has too much energy for One with such short legs) and i did some gardening - you can't even call it 'weeding' as these weeds pulled ME!

Hewwwge buggers.

I sold my car - and will soon have no transport.

I popped the new NeedleBooks into the http://www.paperfish.etsy.com/ shop

and they will be there until somebody who likes Mini-things, decides they'd like a NeedleBook like what i make.

That is that.