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

It wouldn't be Monday Morning without a shop Pimp, now would it?

 What a Windy day?

I don't know about where you are but, here it is Blowy and i'm feeling a bit Dorothy, scared that if i step outside i will have landed in Oz!?

 "Ding Dong the Witch is (which old Witch?) the Wicked Witch

Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is dead....."

 *new* buttons (what else?)

I have been making up packs of Button Brooch Party Favours which are just so cute and muchos fun. I'm not greedy though. I'm not the sort of person who would keep all these to herself.

They are too fun not to pass on.

1.25inch / 3.4cm - a great big size and i would LOVE to see what people have been making with these.

Personally, i'd love to see used on knitwear or as bag / purse fasteners. The are so vibrant. A real statement button.

 This new blue stripe is gorgeous and just makes my heart ache. So nautical :)

This is what i have named 'Denim Blue' - i love it.

I am listing these in single colour sets and in mixed colour sets.

 And i have always been a complete girly polka dot fan... but i find myself loving these stripes so much more?

Every colour i have in Stripe i have in Spots - 10 colours.

 Raspberry, Strawberry (pale) Sky Blue, Denim Blue, Purple, Vanilla, Mint, Orange, Aqua, Red

In both designs.

 And Button Tags.

I know. I win no awards here for complex craft design but.... not everybody has a big stash of buttons to glue onto tags (can you believe that?)

And also, i have been packing these into stacks of 10 as cute party favors.

Imagine a party bag filled with button tags? a button brooch? chocolate.....

*kirsty dreams of greatest party bags in the world, ever*

 In other excting news:

The GARDEN ROOM - Hair and Beauty salon, Upper Boddington

now holds a small stock of PaperFish products.

You don't need an appointment to pop in - you can just go round and shop, if you want.

They are holding:

Cards & Gift Tags

Lavender Patchwork Hearts

Purses and Tissue Holders

Button and Felt Brooches

and the range will be extending soon. If you're local - pop in for a last minute gift?

Egad, i had such a busy week last week - so much on my mind.

I managed a RRRRuuuuuNNN this morning so now i need a bowl of fruit, a big fat coffee and 2 hours under the sewing machine.

Have a great Monday xxxx don't get blown away and avoid all Witches.

Trade Show *News*...

 Well, i had a great day at the Craft Trade Show last week.

It was great to sit and chat to my Button Ladies. It was splendid to listen to that man from Italy... i cannot remember what he was selling now but i'll never forget that voice hahaha.

Naturally, i could have spent a fortune BUT i must draw the line / bag the button somewhere.

Slowly the new products will start to filter into the shops.

 The delightful Button bag above is called the "Mary Jane Button Bag" and has 40 buttons in. 10 each of the spots and stripes in *NEW* colours: red and aqua. 2cm wide so a sweet and handy size.

 These are BIGS! and measure 4cm / 1.5inch. Whoppers! and what great colours? I loved the Red, Aqua and Raspberry the best so i am now stocking these in Etsy & http://www.lovepaperfish.com/ more colours may follow...

 I thought i was going to like the spots best... but i don't! i find myself draaaawn to that giant candy stripe. *must find suitable project for these* but i do have a coat that would wear these beauties very well. I might stop stocking all other craft items and stick with buttons? there are sooo many to choose from. Pur delight.

 Also: LovePaperFish is carrying these super sweet POLKA PAIRS - for those of you who just don't craft 'that much' and only want 2 of each colour - but trust me, i started selling them like this and nearly every customer came back for a big bag.

Also very cute gifts for party favours at a Teen craft party.

This blog might be slowly inundated with new shop products. Forgive me? i have to tell you about them... they might be the very thing you've been waiting for?

I have gone CRAZY for Ribbons!

 I just love Ribbons. I'm not sure what i am even going to use all these for?

 Bias Binding, mmmmmm!

 Of course, various collections are available to the *General Public* online - but i bought them as i had a sudden fetish and NEEEEEED for trimmings. I love how versatile a good quality ribbon can be. So many uses and occasions.

 I swear, i could not live without this purple square design. Just awesome.

 Christmas Skinny ribbons - now these i do have real plans for! They are yumcious. They excite me.

 If you do want ribbons... then the best way to buy is a 'Random Mixed Bag' (Etsy or Folksy) as you can then let your surprise bag inform and inspire you instead of buying 'carefully planned ribbons in a very grown-up sensible sort of way'.

And you can order complete REELS from me if you need muchos ribbony love.

 Reindeer footprints anyone?   How cute is that!?!

OR.... save yourself a few quid and just stare at these ribbony trim-ish photographs of mine. Equally as satisfying and easier on ones bank balance.

What is it about Crafting that makes me happy to get up in the mornings?

and Sherbet Stripe Buttons...

Couldn't resist these....

Perfect colours for your Spring Projects...

Just under 2cm each = 3/4inch.

A snip at £4.50 / $9.00 for 10