Wednesday 31 October 2012

Halloween

I can't claim any credit for the dresses. My mother made them and I can truly say I am in awe. She is great. She managed to make them in record time too.

My daughters are trying to look regal and if you look closely one vampire has slain a chocolate biscuit and the other is polishing off a rice cracker. Now all we need is for the rain to stop.

The pattern used is a modified version of Simplicity 2096.

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Custom orders

Did mention that we had some requests for custom orders? Yes, I can understand your groans I am getting a little repetitive aren't I?
I will carry on regardless though.

I love the chilli pepper fabric. I think it looks quite chic.

 Little pink purse with flap. My pink daughter is very reluctant to let this one leave the house.
 Shopping bag with internal zip. I am rather proud of this one. I like the fabric choice I hope the customer will too.
Always slightly tricky when the remit is : black with zip and something striking. Fingers crossed.

Thursday 18 October 2012

Custom Order

A quick view of my prototype for a custom order. Thank goodness for U Handbag's tutorial on recessed zips.

 I now need to decide whether to go for red roses or
Daisies (with a black outside).

Monday 15 October 2012

Craft fair - the aftermath

 Well this was our little stall. We had good fun but unfortunately it was a very quiet weekend.

The craft fair is organised by our local community art centre. We thought this was the first year that they were hosting the fair. Well the organisation and communication was all a bit hap hazard. It transpired that this was the fourth year of hosting a craft fair. Friend Anna (my co conspirator) and I live within 2 miles of the Community Art centre and this was news to us. However given the lack of advertising for this year's craft fair maybe not that's surprising.

Most of the visitors came along by chance because they were going to a performance at the centre or because they had popped in to have a cup of tea (it does have a nice cafe, I can recommend the club sandwich). 





Between us we earned back the entrance fee for the craft fair and some extra. Oh, and got some custom orders. We have a couple of leads for selling small bits via local shops, so all in all not too bad. We gained experience and knowledge, so I would call that a success.


Thursday 11 October 2012

Craft fair the saga continues

 I made some more things for the craft fair. A little Christmas table topper
 Some cushions. My eldest loves the green and red one. She even offered me £5 from her piggy bank. I guess I had better make one for her.
 My dad would like the yellow and blue cushion. I fear he will have to fight youngest child for it though, if I don't sell it. I still hope that I will sell some things.
 Because as much as I love my bags I can't have 10 of them.
 I also worry that people lie to me when they say that the things I make as saleable. What if they say this only to be kind.
 Pricing worries me a little too. I have been checking on Etsy and Dawanda and even local shops.
I have come to the conclusion that I probably won't make money but I  might make bak the cost of the fabrics. Hope I sell something....

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Finishes

 Here are some finishes. I managed to sneak outside when it wasn't raining. I love stripes quilt. I was worried that it would be too pale but the lime green and blue binding has made it come together I think. The back is Ikea Vandring Uggla. They also have a cute duvet cover in a dark blue. I might have to get it. I hope one of the daughters wants it, else I'll be sleeping under it. ;-)
 Purple squares is just lovely. I quilted it on the diagonal. The quilting crosses. Now somewhere in the back of my mind I seem to remember being told that the quilting shouldn't cross, so please don't report me to the quilt police.

The back is soft lilac with little clouds. It reminds me of a sunset.

Also this is my 100th blog post. Happy centenary to my blog.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Birthday party


The Craft birthday party went well. Of course yours truly forgot to photograph the other bags. oops

The top one is youngest daughter's effort and the other one is eldest aka the birthday girl. I think they did all right. None of the girls burnt themselves on the iron and no one complained about being bored. Pizzas went down well and they even ate some carrot stick and cucumber.