Time for a change

I think you'll agree that this doorstop I made quite a few years ago is looking a bit tired. It props open the bathroom door and peering at it is the only thing that ruins my relaxing experience. It was in need of a massive make over.


All I had to do was to rummage through my ever increasing pile of fabrics and decide what would appeal. Alot were dismissed out of hand for being too lightweight. This was initially a problem since I generally buy more lightweight fabrics for the kind of projects I do (mental note: buy more heavy weight fabrics).

And then this fab Designer's Guild fabric leapt out at me. It was one of the ones I'd picked up from the bargain bucket. At the time I wasn't entirely sure what I would do with it. I just loved the bright pattern. But not only was it heavier then I ordinarily use, the pattern was much larger. But I had to buy it and I'm so glad I did. (Quite frankly, at £5 for the metre, it was never going to be left behind)


I think you'll agree that it's certainly an improvement.

Sad...but very happy

I've been to Ikea this week. It had my name written all over it - all that irresistible combination of blues and red.


The napkins refuse to turn around, so you'll have to twist your head to see them!

P.S. Jo - this post is just for you :-)

Tweet tweet

I while ago I found this fab bird pattern from Spool Sewing. I collect patterns along the way and in an occasional (spare) moment when I have a few minutes to try something new, out they come.

I was drawn to this particular pattern because it's one of those really satisfying ones - small enough to get quick results. Also Laura had photographed her creations so enticingly that it really makes you feel you can easily achieve it too.


I'm obviously hoping to get as far as a whole flock, large enough to make a mobile. But in the meantime we have 2 little lovebirds, sitting sweetly on the windowsill, wondering what it would be like to be free out there.

How come?

How is it that one's 7 year old daughter can be trendier than oneself?



(I love the fact that the first thing Ruby wanted to do when we came home with her new purchases, was to show them to Flopsy... who seemed suitably impressed)

Inundated

I've had another little splurge of fabric purchasing of late. You could call it an addiction. You'd be right. But we all know it isn't too frivolous as it will all be used - eventually.

These first few were my purchases whilst in London in January. John Lewis is brilliant for fabric buying. Not only do they have an amazing selection (queue Cath Kidston and Amy Butler fabrics below) but with a minimum cut of just 10cm, it is just far too tempting to not get a little of this and a little of that.


Then on to Designer's Guild. Their fabrics aren't suitable for everything, with their overbold oversized prints. (They'd be rediculous for my cards for one). But in the bargain bucket for £5 a metre, I'm sure i'll think of something.




I've just taken advantage of ordering whatever I fancied from a couple of favourite US based fabric suppliers, without the worry of incurring steep import taxes. My aunt, who lives in Connecticut has just been over for a visit and kindly brought a couple of stashes with her. (She's over again in June - think I might be needing more by then...)


This first selection is from Reprodepot, which, as we all know, has the most awesome array.





An indication that I'd obviously ordered far more than I needed to, is that they threw in this bundle of cutoffs free. Lucky me :-).

My final pile came from Cia's Palette. Cia has the most amazing selection - in the sense that EVERTHING in her store is beautiful and covetable. With this in mind, I think I was extremely restraint.





I think it would be pretty fair to say. I don't need any more fabric. But does NEED come into it?

More than a glimpse

Remember a while ago I was a bit cryptic about my new labels and various big projects? Well, I have decide to take the plunge and take my craft kits into the big wide world. I'm preparing to take them to BCTF (British Craft Trade Fair) in Harrogate in April. (Please come along and say hi if you are in the vacinity.)I have been approached of late by various people who have searched me out and asked to stock them. So I thought if people are doing this off their own back then maybe there is something in it. So now I am putting myself on the line, ready to be hung, drawn and quartered and seeing what people really think of my kits.


I didn't feel that the labelling had that professional edge that would make them an attractive proposition for stockists. So I've been working with my good pal, Roz, to come up with something visually eye-catching, as well as be informative for shoppers.
I wasn't quite ready to show you before. But now they are finished. They are double sided, with the (new) Blueberry Park logo on the front and then each kit has a polaroid-esque photo to show what the kit is about. I hope you like them. I'm absolutely thrilled with the results.

Just when you think it's safe...

Just when you think it's safe to put away all the wellies and the rest of the paraphernalia, along comes another snowstorm.