Folksy, Sue Ryder and Upcycle Christmas

I was in a mad rush last week. As usual I had left things to the last minute to make my entry for the competition.

It had to be something from a charity shop that you upcycled.

I went to my local Sue Ryder shop and got a huge quilt/duvet cover. I loved the fabric and wanted to use as much of it as possible so I designed a skirt. Lacking a dressmakers dummy, I made it round me which was fun.

The skirt was made in time for the deadline and the results are out. The standard was really high and I think everyone did brilliantly.

All the entries are now on ebay and any money raised will go to Sue Ryder. So do have a good long look here.

And although I did not win I am rather pleased with myself at even attempting something and now I want to make more clothes so I am hunting for a very cheap adjustable dressmakers dummy.

There is still a prize for 'The Folksy User's Winner' so basically people on folksy get to vote for their favourite by marking the item as a favourite. So if you are on folksy and like my skirt then please favourite it - deadline is Thursday at 8pm. But have a look at all the other entries as they are all wonderful.

My skirt at folksy

My skirt on ebay

All the entries on folksy

All the entries on ebay

MooCow, Hats, and Clips

I had a lovely suprise today.

The lovely Maisy (well-know from the UK thread on etsy) bought MooCow a pair of my hair bobbies.

And here they are on one on Moo's lovely hats, and Moo very kindly mentions me and links to my shop.

Well three lovelies in such a short post...but they are all lovely!

AliBali Jewellery

And now for something completely different..from hats that is (see my last post). But still gorgeous.

Alison of AliBaliJewellery designs and handcrafts most of her sublimely beautiful jewellery using recycled silver and copper. The Little Robin Redbreast Silver Pendant above is so sweet that I had to start with him.

Fine Silver Flower and Leaf Pattern Wide Ring

Imprint Me Silver Fingerprint Charm

Isn't this a lovely idea? What a perfect gift to remind you of a loved one. Have a look at the other personalised jewellery here.

Alison has a shop full of beautiful jewellery so do visit and spend some time having a good look. You will not be disappointed.

AliBali Jewellery

etsy shop

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I need a hat, you need a hat,everyone needs a hat.

Velvet Cloche Hat
Let's face it the weather outside isn't great. It is raining or cold and mostly both. But we do have to go outside and wouldn't it be luverly to not only be dry and warm but also look gorgeous?
All the hats here are available in MoaningMinnie's etsy shop.

Cloche Rain Hat

Tweed Cap

Have a good look in her shop as there is lots more to see and not just hats.

MoaningMinnie

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www.moaningminnniedesigns.com

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IslayBowers - button lust and more..much more

I love buttons and I love lace and I love vintage . So Islay Bowers etsy store is the perfect shop for me and I suspect you.

The buttons above are vintage mother of pearl. They just sing out (in a Cole Porter type refrain) glamour.
Also look at this pretty vintage 1930s lace.


Honestly you need to go and have a look in her store because there is more to see.
And then pop over to this store which is Islay's handmade items including this Personalised Applique Letter cushion.

A Little Gift to Wear

This is the first of two new brooches in my A Little Gift to Wear Brooch range.
It is a teeny needle&pin case brooch:


For Christmas I have Christmas Greetings:



I am also working on some custom brooches. I can give you a sneaky peak at this one:

So contact me if you do want a custom brooch otherwise have a browse in my etsy shop.

Chameleonite for beautiful Jewellery

I have only met Chameleonite this year and it has been a pleasure to get to know her and see her beautiful work. I am sure that you will agree she makes beautiful jewellery.
Here is a small sample of her lovely designs:
Polka Dot Black & White Beaded Bracelet

Harmony Blues - Vintage Blue & Silver Bracelet

Just Peachy - Vintage Coral Stack Earrings

Each very different but all equally as gorgeous.

Visit Chameleonite's etsy shop here
Read Chameleonite's blog here

Follow Chameleonite on twitter here

Snowdrops and Daisies

Whenever I think of Snowdrops and Daisies I think of her lovely felted tubs. They are so lovely to look at and useful for popping things in - like this Cute Red Felted Tub

But there is so much more as well in SnowdropsandDaisies lovely etsy shop.
Perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree are these pretty Origami Christmas Baubles

and also these cute Teeny Felt Stockings

Or not up to Chsitmas yet? Then sit yourself down, brew up a pot of tea, have a cup and keep you pot warm with this lovely Tea Cozy in Marshamllow Pink

Visit Snowdrops and Daisies' etsy shop for more delightful gifts - for you , your home, friends, or family.

AMI Designs - Handmade Jewellery

I would like to introduce to you AMI Designs who designs and makes the most luscious jewellery.

Look at this gorgeous Montana Blue and Silver Pearl Necklace. It is so beautiful.

Matching bracelet and earrings are available:

And in her Bubbles Bracelet range, is this lovely Blueberry bracelet.

And as it is nearly 'that time of year' look at this lovely festive decoration. This Red and Gold Christmas Bauble is just perfect for your tree.

Check out AMI's etsy store as there will be lots there to delight you.

More Promotion and handing on the baton

I have some more details of the promotion that my fellow etsy UKers have been doing for me.

Treasuries:

'Peppermint' by Creamrose:
' A Few of my faves' by Coloursandtextures:

'Batwing, Maple Squirrel and Stud' by ARE Jewellery:

Mentions in Blogs:

'Am I blue?' by MissMaisy's Chatter:

(I have included a photo as I was her featured seller too).

'Dorset Buttons' by Boutonniere
'Mondays Featured Seller' by AMIDesigns
'Hair Clips' by Parsy Art and Cake

AND PASSING ON THE BATON...

I am passing on the sparkly beaded, knit covered fabric sewn button to the next person who is

AMI DESIGNS

so please check out her gorgeous jewellery in her etsy shop.

UK Promotion - Me!

The UK people on etsy have decided to promote each other's shops and guess who they have begun with? Me!
It has been great fun seeing my name and my photos in treasuries and people's blogs. So I thought I would share with you.
The Treasuries so far (there was another one by Quercus Silver but I didn't manage to get a screenshot).

The first one is 'Goodbye October, Hello November' by AliBali Jewellery.

This one is 'Star Spangle or Union Jack' by Islaybower:

This one is 'oops' by AliBali Jewellery:

And this one is 'Am I BLUE?' by SimplyMaisy:

Now for the blogs.

Snowdrop's Thoughts by Snowdrops and Daisies

Islay Finds, Makes and Bakes by IslayBower

Quercus Silver by Quercus Silver

Precious Little Birdy by AngelaCallan

Green River Studio by Green River Studio

So please pop over and have a look at their lovely blogs and not just the posts about me. And then click on the link to their shops for each and every one of these people who have featured me in their blogs and in their treasuries are wonderful, talented people.

There are also many more UK people I would like to thank who have supported me, in giving advice, friendship and help promote me on facebook, twitter and etsy promo threads. So..

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

Newsletter

Helloo
You may notice that I have a new gadget on my blog.
If you look over to the right -------------------------->
you will find a box that asks you to subscribe to my newsletter.
Please do subscribe. Future editions of my newsletter will include special offers as well as interesting (maybe) writing and information about new products (definately) from me.

BNTM Here I come

I have a vintage batwing top in my supplies&vintage shop.
I was advised to model it and spent a fun filled half an hour setting my camera on timer and then rushing to sit on the couch.

Well as you can see I am no model but it was a good laugh and you can see the batwing sleeves now can't you?

BNTM = Britain's Next Top Model

Red

I have been making a red spangly Dorset button as a custom order. I love the colour and sitting sewing it made me feel happy. So I thought I would find some red items from other people to share the happiness all around.

I love these buttons - aren't they bright and colourful? They are from Bigfish where you can get all manner of lovely buttons and crafty lovelies.

I had to include these simply beautiful earrings from Chameleonite:-

These beautiful fine art print is called 'Red Autumn Leaves'. So how could I miss it out? Look in the lovely and talented Illusio's shop for more examples of her work.

And to finish my happy, warm, red feature is this wonderful hat by MoaningMinnie. I chose it because of the lovely pattern but there are lots and lots of gorgeous hats in MoaningMinnie's shop as well as other lovely pieces. This is just the perfect thing for this time of year. I love it.

Lost and Found

I was a bit daft.
My bike was round my mum's but she needed the space. So I thought I would put it in an empty shed in the garden. Now our garden is a communal one for the 5 flats which is fine however, it has a back entrance so you can walk through from the front gate and go to the back gate and I have caught a couple of kids using this route to cut off a corner on their way somewhere.

But I still put the bike in the shed which had no lock. Although I did lock up my bike.

I woke up yesterday morning and saw the shed door open. Uh oh and to confirm my dread indeed the bike was gone. That is that then, I thought. The little **** have probably dumped it and this upset me more than the thought of someone stealing it to ride it.

So got Little Blue ready for school and off we went. Walking along the road I saw a bike leaning against a wall. 'I wonder if that is my bike' I said. And off my girl ran to have a closer look. IT WAS! It was still locked up and you could see evidence of them trying to cut through the lock and failing. Ha Ha!! The only thing I have noticed is that the chain is off. I put my girl on the seat and wheeled her to school then took the bike home.
It is sitting looking at me now, pride of place in my lounge.

And then I get to my course to find out it is only a giving back essays and feedback on them session. I got an A and a B. And had time to go home watch Bargain Hunt and have lunch with Mr BBB before work.

So a good day after a rotten start.

Busy..

It may not look like it but I have been busy!
It was Little Blue's 6th birthday and she had her party on Saturday - so what with going to ToyrRus and walking home laden with presents, getting those last minute things for party bags, and the worry of her party, then exhaustion afterwards..I haven't had much time to do any making.

But this morning I have made the basic pattern for my new pouch purses. I will get some made and then show you all. I am quite excited myself!

(P.S. Do try not to laugh at my double-chin and red face!)

FREE SHIPPING

I am offering free shipping in my etsy shop this weekend. It is supposed to finish tonight but I am extending my offer to end on 12.oo midnight Monday.

I am also including my supplies & vintage shop in this deal. So have a look as I have a couple of nice vintage items (including the bat wing blouse above) and some clips for your makes.

So if you are looking for something for yourself or as a gift (have you started Christmas shopping yet?) then check out my shop. And remember I do offer custom dorset buttons, and hair clips.

New Buttons

After a Summer of not making much, I have finally made something and listed it too. These red & white polka dot hair snaps are now available from my etsy shop. Made using a very cute red & white polka dot ribbon but using exactly the same technique I use to make my Dorset Buttons. So although the 3 buttons featured in this post look different they are made in the same way.

This photo shows one of the backgrounds I am using for my etsy shop. It is from a 1950s girls' annual.

These yellow and brown buttons are for a custom order. They are now hair snaps.

And this final photo is of two I made this morning. I used a gorgeous variegated thread. I think these are destined for hair grips too - either snaps or bobby pins (as they say in the USA).

At the moment I am working on some incorporating using seed beads, so I will keep you posted.

Last Days of Summer

As I am writing this the rain is pouring outside, the ironed school uniform is hanging up and Little Blue's new shoes are waiting in their box.
But we did have a lovely last few days and here are some photos of our visit to what we call The Sandy Park.

Children playing on the swings.

Including some rather big children!

Then we walked home round the creek. The tide was out.

In this one you may be able to see Spinnaker Tower in the background.

So now back to normal. Little Blue is now in Year One. I am returning to work after my lovely 4 weeks holiday. I have already marked half-term on my calendar and counted the weeks. But at least I will have my mornings free to get some sewing done.