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

Advent indeed....

 Dear Friend,

I am far more full of 'cold' than i am of Christmas Cheer this morning.

Never-the-less i am joyful! and replete with the excitement that Advent morning brings.

 And you are so right, of course!

To be gentle with oneself and not to keep demanding more. Put less expectation on 'what fabulousness needs to be achieved'... and to actually enjoy what fabulousness is already here.

 Memories!!

They are abundant and overflowing and the regularity of Christmas is so reassuring.

You are right, again, on every level.

I have done none of my shopping - none of my baking - none of my own making.

I care not a jot.

 The Angel Costume was hung up in the School Hall this morning with her name and class written boldy.

The Advent Santa was full on the advent surprises.

I have cocktails on Saturday Night with my local Girl Friends.

My dog thinks i am beautiful, even sat here in my tracksuit nursing the stinky cold.

And i can - just about - stomach my seething jealously of your Avent Elf  House for yet another year.

(they never made another as pretty and perfect as this)

Secretly you see, we instil the magic of Christmas into them, so they can keep it going for us when we run out of steam! Clever Mummies xxx have a Gluh Wein for me?

Winner * Winner * Winner... of Pip Lincolne's gorgeous new book

 It is Sunday... and i was just about to walk the dog....

then i thought, i shall draw this GIVEAWAY Winner now, or it will never happen!

 So: *drum rrroooolllllll*

It is YOU Joanne - http://rosedahlia.blogspot.com/ - from this place here

and Jo has 2 sons and a daughter and has been finding the time to do some very cool Christmas Crafting.

She shames us that she can find the time! Please go and see her amazing knitted NOEL letters. I am in awe of her talents.

I do not *know* Jo so it all Legit. like. But i know her now :)

Well Done my Lovely and i do wish everyone could win it though.

 And i thought i would stuff this little lot in to show you something new and wacky i made t'other week...

 It is a felt 'Paper Chain'

and i find it so amusing that my business is actually called PaperFish,

there is very VERY little to do with paper in anything i do....

Even my paperchain is felt!

This was hugely time consuming and it took me around 2 hours to complete a piece of chain barely over 2 metres long. Tcha, but it was very satisfying!

I might try some more colourways and styles.

Ya know, i have so much more to talk to you all about.

2012 is going to be so big for me. So special. i can just feel it!

And i am so grateful that people pop in, read for a bit, enter the giveaways and like sharing all this stuff too. ThankU xxx

Apple & Damson Gin, hooya!

 OMG! i mean it... O  M  G!!

This really is nectar of the Gods. I kid you not when i declare it to be

"Worlds Finest Apple & Damson Gin"

 I read something, somewhere about England having been home to the Apple Gin, many moons hence, but that it isn't really made here anymore. And last year i made the Damson Gin from my Brother's Fruits.... which was great (if i remember correctly... if i actually can remember at all!!)

And i was sat with a glut of Apples also..... and so came the Apple & Damson Gin.

 I wasn't that keen on the idea. I am not a great fan of Apple as a 'flavour' ya know? It can be a bit Apple-y.

Anyway, the fruit, sugar and gin have been steeping in a jar for a few months now so i decided to strain it and bottle it, ready for the bracing Autumn weeks ahead.

Seriously... it is amazing! so Bloooooomin YUM x

Of course it was tempting to eat the fruit..... but think about what alcoholic content it has now adopted!?

And it was a Sunday, and i had a Birthday Party 'pick up' run to fulfill....

Besides, the Damsons have stones in so it would have been a bit faffy to eat around them without breaking an expensive dental crown.

You will, of course, be pleased to know that i made TWICE as much Sloe Gin also.

It isn't ready yet, but i do think it so very important to have a second homemade alcoholic beverage, with which to perform a comparison consensus on Christmas Day....

ahem.

Seriously good my friends,

seriously good...

Welcome to the DropZone...

 These Buttons are now available in their smallest size!!

(They all look the same size in these photos....)

But these are the DROP size = 1.5cm / 0.55"

Listed in Stripes at the moment but the same is available in spots.

 Brights & Academics

i think the Academics are welcome relief to the onslaughter of BRIGHTS

 I am so happy with this new size and i have been using them on some of my new Christmas Decorations for the SnowFish range. Perfect.

The stripes are my favourite

So smart and little

Listed, once again, in their sets of 80 at present but you can get any combinations in sets of 10.

And that is today's shop *News*

Over and out.

Button *news* Part.2.....

 Such slow progress!!

I am regretting this stock of buttons....

The above shows all 16 colours of the buttons

they come in 4 different sizes and in spots / stripes

 I am sure it will all get easier and less complicated when i have organised the stock and colours.

I love having all these colours and choices as i know, when i really *want* something perfect for my projects, i hate having to spend such time tracking down the perfect item

 I am just about to list a few bags of these mini-stars too.

a bag of 60 teeny tiny stars, maybe for a Christmas idea you have?

 I am also still working on some new felt ideas...

There must be more hours in the day somewhere??

BUT i also bought a huge new stash of Christmassy fabrics and i have some new craft ideas that i am so desperate to try out / see if they work and look any good.

Obsessed...?

Probably.

Care...?

Definately not.

New Buttons *** PART.1.... Lollipop Stripes

 Who KNEW there could be soooo many buttons that we crafters could fall in-love with?

In some ways, i wish a button, was just... a button. You know?

This task is becoming bigger than i ever EVER imagined.

How can i list every option of every button available???

 I have been stocking *some* of this range of buttons for a long time

but crafty people kept asking for colours i wasn't stocking...

you know how i like to respond to your needs (okay, MY own needs)

 So, this really is PART.1.

These are the LOLLIPOP size 2.3cm

 - they are the second largest of 4 sizes.

They come in 16 different colours and you can have spots and stripes

 See below?

There are actually 4 different sizes and 16 different colours.

It is taking me so much time, but...

eventually i'll get there.

LovePaperFish will be stocking the full range and BigFish, some mixed packs i think.

I wanted to get them all photographed and listed before the School Summer Break.

Delivery was a bit unreliable though and so it will come in stages.

If you have been waiting for these - THANKU for your patience.

The BIGS are my favourites by far. Awesome awe-some buttons.

But also, a whole new size will be available!!!

The 'Drops' are 1.5cm each and those babies in stripes.... well, they are to weep over!

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.

i made a little button bouquet...

 Playing in the Studio at the weekend and,,,,,..... tada!

I made a little Button Bouquet.

 I could become very addicted to these.

I grabbed some thinner PINK floristry wire and made some smaller spotty stems.

 Then i taped the 7 stems together with parcel tape before covering that in ribbon to give it a sweet finish.

I am thinking this would make a nice little gift for someone if i hang a little gift tag from it?

 If i pop round to somebody's for a cuppa?

or as a thankyou?

I need these all round my house now....

 And a P.S

I am having a Limited Time SALE Offer on bags of 100g pastel / popsicle button bags.

I mixed up a few 100g bags full of dreamy Spring like shapes and colours.

Sort of perfect for making buttony lavender hearts

or your own stacking / stem projects

or yummy popsicle accessories

i love this mixture.

Normal price £7.50 for the 100g

SALE Price: £5.50

Coolio x
(p.s i just lost a blog follower :( i am either boring, or too commercial or a bad blogger, hahaha)

Bountiful Button Brooches...

 So many cute Button Brooches, all piling into the PaperFish Shops.

 I think it is because i have attended so many children's parties since we started school in September?

 Or, maybe, because i the run the bar for so many weddings at our local hall...?

 And definately because these have flying off the PaperFish Craft stall and from my wee retail outlet.

 That is why i have been making so many Button Brooches.

They are so easy - i'm not trying to show you i am any great design genius... they're buttons, made into brooches.

 They make the most awesome little gifts for yourself. I think i have become addicted to wearing them (gulp)

but even better than that, they are fun and FUNKY party favors / favours.

Every party i have sold these for have said they are "really unique" and "fun" and something they loved taking home. Awesome feeling :)

 But the Button Brooches are things i have whipping up in batches when i find a spot in my day (and a clear surface to dry them out on)

I have been sewing lots AND making some well needed and long overdue THANKYOU cards.

For a few people who i need to say belated thanks to.

They are very quick and easy to make - well, you know me! But they are sweet and say what they are intended to say xxx