Sunday 29 August 2010

No camera

Sorry everyone for not posting for a whole week,  I do have a few excuses tho!!

Firstly, I still haven't fixed my camera or got around to buying a new one.  Posts are not the same without a photo, and the photos often inspire me.

Secondly, I am hoping to have a new range of jewellery soon.  I have been looking for materials to start making dangly earrings, necklaces and braclets.  It is just like when I first started, which means that I have had to spend a lot of time, money and effort researching the best quality and priced materials and tools.  Lots of the materials have now arrived, but just waiting for a few key components.  I have also sourced some original vintage beads and cabochons, which I am really excited about using.  Can't wait to begin and I hope they will be a favourite for everyone ready for Christmas.

And lastly, I have been reading.  I am terrible once I start as find it hard to put books down.  My Lilies and Daisies stuff has stopped me for months, but now I have read 3 books in two weeks, and sadly this means I haven't done much else, but the necessary completion of orders.  My current book is Memoirs of a Geisha which I have found fasinating.  I have only got about 10 pages left, and then I must not pick up another book for a while!!

Sunday 22 August 2010

Last of the Summer Sun/Cloud

Today we went to the beach.
Liliana has been waiting all summer hols, and we decided to risk it today.  The whole of August has been mostly rain!!  We had a good day.


Just had to show you my wind breaker.  I got it from eBay last year, and it is made using vintage fabric.  It was most definitely the best one on the beach and I even had someone tell me they had wind breaker envy (that sounds a bit odd!).  I just love the bargains you can find on eBay sometimes.

Bad news is that I sat on my camera and broke it, so not sure how I will manage till I get a new one.

Thursday 19 August 2010

Earrings

I sold most of my flower earrings last week, so I made a new batch.  These have been sitting on my table waiting to be put on to the cards since then, but today I finally got round to it.


Mini Daisy

Extra Large Daisy

 ...and I tried out a cute dog badge!

Especially for Heart Handmade

Claire over at Heart Handmade has been doing a series of posts regarding how to crochet.  I promised I would show her photos of a crochet blanket I made last year, and then decided that it would be lovely to show you all.

This was made for my living room and matches the colour scheme.  It is not actually entirely finished, as my intention was always to have a border.  Don't think I will ever get around to it tho, as it sits proudly on my sofa.  It is really heavy and perfect when feeling sleepy watching a film.


I love to crochet, and was shown how by my mum when I was only very little.  I believe that you are either a crochet or knitting fan.  You might be able to do both, but there is always a favourite, which is especially true in my family.


I have also made crochet hair slides in the past to sell.


My bookcase has various crochet manuals.  I have tried loads of times to make crochet heart bunting, but I am never happy with the sizes, and I always end up unravelling them.  I have also got a very large collection of vintage crochet cotton and patterns.  The crochet cotton is very difficult to work with as the stitches are so tiny, and it is not so forgiving if you get a stitch wrong or if the tension is not even.  However, that is the beauty of crochet - nothing gets wasted as the wool or cotton can always be re-used.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Travel

Sometimes I just wish I could escape.  Have no worries and just travel, take the children where ever they want and see all the magical sights of the world.  It would have to be a time travel holiday.  Back to a time of brief encounters on a moonlit train station, smartly dressed dinner dates and stylish luggage.  Inspired by this, I have found a few of my favourite travel inspired items on Folksy.

  1. Photo Booth Beauties Vintage Travel Train Vanity Case by Yasmin Bouchi
  2. 6 x Vintage Stamped French Script Tags-Travel by Craftypagan Designs 
  3. Steampunk Time Travellers Device - Pendant by London Fogg 
  4. Lola Expandable Tote - Vintage Floral Taupe by Loulabelle 
  5. Vintage Feel Jewellery Wrap by Sew Heather
  6. I Heart London Oyster Card Sleeve Gold/ Bronze Dee Hewitt 

Lazy Blogger

I haven't blogged much over the last few weeks.  It is difficult trying to fit it in, but I know I need to make more of an effort.  There are so many inspiring blogs out there.


I went back to work yesterday and it was nice to get back to normal instead of being ill.  Today is a day off so just catching up on some orders to post.  I am also starting to think of Christmas.  I know it is only August, but that is not much time to make everything I will need.

Nothing more interesting to tell you.  Remember 20% shop sale is still on.

Friday 13 August 2010

Much Better

Thanks for everyone's get well wishes, today I am much better, although I have now passed it on to Jamie.  Fingers crossed the children don't get it.

I have been featured in a Folksy Friday on a Blog called 'Tales from Mount Pleasant', with my polka dot cufflinks - check it out.

Thursday 12 August 2010

From my sick bed.....again! - (& Blog Giveaway Winner)

I am ill again.  What is wrong with me???  Spent all of the last night vomitting, and I have a being sick phobia so wasn't good at all.  I now have a massive headache from not being able to sleep at all and a stiff neck (i am not a hypercondriac, I promise, although Jamie might argue different!).  I think it is not untill I stop and chill, that sometimes things get on top of me.  This usually happens when I am off work.  I have had a very busy 10 months since Daisy was born and Lilies and Daisies was born in December too.


So usually I would still be in bed (going straight back there after this post), but I had to share the winner of the August blog giveaway...drumroll....the random number generator has chosen number 7....who is Jessica.  Email me your details and I will get the magnets straight to you.


And as promised, there is a now a 20% discount in my Etsy and Folksy shops on everything (except postage charge), for 1 week.
Only 2 small rules:
  • You must be a follower of this blog (not too late to join)
  • and you must send me a message via the shop stating that you are a follower and leave your follower name.  I will then refund you back the 20% discount.

Due to me being bed bound today, things may take a little longer to be posted than normal, but hopefully I will be back to fighting fit tomorrow.

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Blog Giveaway Reminder

Just a quick note to remind everyone that the August Blog Giveaway ends tomorrow, when one person will win 4 Russian Doll magnets, and the Lilies and Daisies Folksy and Etsy shops will be having an exclusive sale for followers only.  Details tomorrow.
Oh, and I am feeling much better.  I can actually enjoy the last few days I have off now. :)

Saturday 7 August 2010

Local Crafters

For August Blog Giveaway, click here!

I am ill.  I have been ill all week and it is only getting worse, so this weekend will be spent mostly lying in bed doing nothing.  Being a nurse, I am a terrible patient.

I prepared this post at the begining of the week.  On Sunday, we visited the National Eisteddfod of Wales and I discovered more crafty people and shops from Wales, which I have decided to share with you.

Tinkers Infinity

Calcon

Adra

Siop Ria

Thursday 5 August 2010

August Blog Giveaway

Sorry it is a bit late happening this month.  I knew I had to do it, but wasn't sure whether to do a giveaway or have a shop sale exclusive for my followers.  I have decided to do both!!  This blog giveaway will run for a week and then there will be a shop sale the following week for all my followers, on Etsy and Folksy, with 10% off everything (except shipping charges).

The giveaway is inspired from a special request I had.  It is a set of 4 Russian Doll magnets.  This is the first time anyone has seen them and they are very cute.  If the winner prefers, they can chose them as badges instead.  They will also be listed to purchase on eBay this week.


To enter, all you have to do is:
  1. Be a follower and leave a comment telling me you want to be included.
  2. Become a follower and comment to let me know.
  3. And for extra entries, blog about my giveaway and post the link.
Very simple!!

Good luck!!

Wednesday 4 August 2010

What to do?

Today I woke up with a strange feeling.....I have nothing to do!!


I did have a brilliant day yesterday.  Had a argument with my badge machine, made and completed 20 orders and finished my 2 large custom orders (one is for a shop - you have to check out her blog as it is so lovely Paperdolly) .

And all that means that I have no custom orders to complete at the moment and I am up to date with everything.  This hasn't happened for months and I am sure it won't last.

But it does mean that I can add more things to my Folksy and Etsy today and maybe even start to make a few new things I have wanted to do for ages.  I will use my time wisely.


Also a big thank you for Scented Sweetpeas for mentioning me in her blog regarding her winning the Blog giveawaylast month.  She has some brilliant photos of her prizes.