This week I've.........

....moved back into my unit after been away for quite some time. This was quite scary and I was full of anticipation, it was like going back to work after a long enjoyable holiday, or the start of a new job. But I have no choice as my sewing is taking over the house- which is no fun for my family! Anyway it was great to be back and even better to get out of the house...although I do miss BBC 6 Music as I have no DAB radio there! I work at Brougham Hall near Penrith which is an on going restoration project, see here- http://www.broughamhall.co.uk/. 

......I hiked up Catbells near Keswick and after working solidly since January, with barely any exercise, this was hard work at first. To think I used to stride up here when the girls were younger, in the days when I had a proper job and made a point of going up some local mountain at the weekend. Oh the joys of being self employed! At least I'm happy now and look at the view of Derwent Water- which is only part of the lovely scenery you enjoy right at the top, well worth screaming lungs and wobbley legs!

....after reading a really useful and inspiring article on Etsy  I've had a serious rethink about packaging! I'm not a graphic designer, as you can tell, but boy what a difference even just the simplest of packaging has made to my products.I think my 'Make Your Own' Bunting kits are presented with care and thought.

I spent a few hours playing around with Microsoft Publisher and produced these very simple packet headers. When I have a little more time I intend (I always intend) to improve the packaging. But right now I'm very happy with what I've achieved here and everything is kept neat and tidy which is great for transportation to craft fairs.

I'm particularly pleased with my 'Make Your Own' Prize Winning Ribbon kits, which I've made for the Borrowdale Shepherds' Meet next week in Borrowdale (funny enough) which is not far from Keswick. It took no effort to sew my buttons onto the tags and I think it looks great- they're presented nicely and you can see them!

I haven't stopped with Make Your Own kits...oh no! I now sell these spotty heart buttons in lovely little boxes! There's no stopping me now and I'm not ashamed to admit I think I have a packaging obsession.....it could worse!

Big link for the article I read-  http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/packaging-ideas/?utm_source=etsy_success&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=etsy_success_082312_0&link_clicked=4&euid=s7-rRFJ4Xlx8EmIBXn4sCHmp09Wb

Summertime Supplies Party Bag- Buttons X Ribbons X Bows.

As if I haven't enough to do with my life- today I've been putting together a collection of party bags. I'm calling them party bags but really they're a yummy colletion of buttons and ribbons.

I'm starting to get in the Summertime party mood- you know long and lazy, hopefully, warm summer evenings (fingers crossed). Which got me thinking about things that make me happy. We always have big family gatherings in the summer and there are always treats for the children and then I thought....party bags! Hooray! I love a good party bag. So I have put together my style of party bag wish list containing buttons and bows and ribbons and pom-poms. Nom! Nom!

 I have sorted through many, many buttons and put together a very good multi-coloured mix of approximately 30 buttons ranging from teeny buttons to big buttons. There are some with spots and some with stripes, buttons with two holes, four holes, some with a shank, solid, transparent, pink, purple, green, orange, yellow...... But stop! This supplies party bag also contains bows, pom-poms and best of all 1mtr each of two double delicious ribbons- so basically 2mtrs of ribbon!!!!!

This assortment of supplies is a treat and perfect for starting your own button collection or for doing some wonderful craft projects.

Newness!!!!

Happy New Year to all- my lovely, jubbly, bubbly followers!! Here's to a NEW start and all that.

This is a NEW blog post, the first of the year and I want to share a few NEW items with you.

These are my new, fun and functional lavender pillows. I think this little patchwork bird is here to stay and you will be seeing him a lot over this beautiful new year (I'm trying to be positive here- I'm not a fan of Jan)

WOWEEEE! BIG buttons! These I love a lot so much so they give me tingles every time I look at them. They are also new in my Etsy supplies shop

These are medium sized buttons of the same kind- soon to appear in my shops.

Beautiful new ribbons of all varieties- grosgrain with polka dots, fine woven gingham ribbons, satin cutout ribbons and very fine ribbon with thread stitched through. Each one as lovely as the other. They make me buzz with excitement and this is why I felt the need to share them now. I promise to list them in my shop, I won't keep them all to myself!

Finally....a NEW do! MMM! Not the most flattering of pics and especially with no make-up on, but in my defense I had just returned from a gruelling two hour walk. My hair is mainly purple by the way! My favourite colour.

Our New home....not really, I just love this little gingerbread house I made with the girls over the festive hols and thought it was worth sharing.




See you all soon.

 Have you noticed the new look blog?