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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.

Better late than never

I'm a little behind on blogging at the mo. I have not one but 2 major projects on the go at the moment (more of that another day). What with that and the snow, meaning the children have been around during the week when really they should be off being educated, I am rather late on posting about Top Drawer.

Top Drawer was over 3 weeks ago now (that really can't be true). I had a fab few days down in London. I managed to sneak in an extra day and so got to catch up with lots of friends. I stayed with Jo in my old stomping ground near Hampton Court. We did alot of hanging out at the newly opened Jamie's Italian in Kingston. If you live anywhere in the vacinity of this or one of his other branches you simply MUST go. We tried it at night - fab. And again the next day for lunch - double fab. I could quite happily move in there.


Tara and I met up on Day 2 on the King's Road - my absolute favourite street. With Peter Jones at one end and Designer's Guild at the other and plenty of mooching imbetween, what's not to love? By the time Tara and I had bought out the whole of the Designer's Guild fabric sale table, it was time to refuel, so we spent the afternoon hanging out at The Stockpot. There are worse things in life.

Ah yes, the aim of the post - Top Drawer. This is my 3rd year going to Top Drawer now and I've learnt to focus on what is relevant for me and Blueberry Park. There are some fabulous stands but you can't stop at everything or you'll be there all week. I must appear very rude striding right on by alot of stands and only stopping at those that are suitable. I saw some fab new people and met up with some known favourites. Here's a quick precis of what, for me, were the highlights of TD Spring 2009.

Shelley is the talent behind Pootle Products. Aren't these dolls the best? And her stitched designs make striking greetings cards.

I loved Fabric of the Universe for not only it's simple screen printed designs, but also for it being ethical, organic, natural stylish clothing for little ones.

I really loved these hand stamped bedlinens from Lulu & Nat. They were so fresh and crisp.

And now for something completely different... Michelle Mason's bold and beautiful felt rugs and other lifestyle pieces were extremely eye-catching.

I'd had the pleasure of meeting Rachel, from Lollipop, at Pulse last year. I love the striking simplicity of her products. And I definitely want these stamping label sets and canvas shoppers for Blueberry Park.

Jane runs Snapdragon which is so much more than an online store. Go check it out. And what she can only do with a needle defies the imagination. Stunning little pieces of stitched artwork were made into mirrors, egg cosies, tea towels, tea cosies, cushions...

Trudy, from Buttongirl, is yet another talented embroiderer and her stand was exquisite.


So much to see, so much to buy. So much to put on hold whilst I put my energies into my two other projects. (But don't worry all of you - I will be buying - very soon)