Whoops!

So much for a blog post every week! I can't believe how long ago it's been since I last posted on here! And what have I been up to since the beginning of 2012? 

The answer is... 

..not a great deal. Although I did have the great fortune to become a home owner in September 2012! After 13 years of living in Portsmouth I packed up my vast quantity of books & craft supplies and sailed across the water to the Isle of Wight. 

I've done a bit of crafting (and a lot of reading, I managed to get through 95 books last year!). I made a few more tote bags, branched out and tried my hand at jewellery making (rings & earrings made using cabouchons) but mostly I made things for the new house. So here are a few pics of what I've created.

I recovered my old dining room chairs, Kirstie Allsopp style!!

I made two draft excluders from left over fabric and scraps.

I made a few Christmas decorations


 I must admit that I haven't made a single thing in the last 7 months but I have just been commissioned by a friend to make some bunting (and a few other decorations) for her wedding later this year. This has rather reinvigorated me and I now have lots of ideas and more importantly some much needed motivation to get back into crafting. I hope that it won't be too long till the next post.


HAPPY CRAFTING!

Another Sale!

Yay! Another sale and my very first British buyer! Until now I've only sold my bags to Americans (and that lady in Norway). So my Safari tote finally sold, I'm glad as it was one of my favourites.

Most of today I've been thinking to myself  'If only I had more money' then I could create all the weird and wonderful things I think about when I'm at work and buy lots of lovely fabric without feeling guilty! I know they say 'you have to spend money to make money' but I really have to save for my holiday next year. The original plan was for me to go to Borneo next year for a month's volunteering work at an orangutan sanctuary but I've put that idea on hold for the time being as it's my mum's 50th birthday in April. I decided I wanted to take her somewhere special as she's had a hard few years so I booked us a trip to Egypt for a week (4 night Nile cruise and 3 days in Cairo). I can't wait the only problem is that I need to save up for it and I'm not doing very well so far!

I was reading one of etsy's featured seller interviews last week and she mentioned that she created her work around a theme or idea using a different one each week. I thought that was a fantastic way to work and thats a concept that I should adopt, it would help me focus my ideas (as I have so many that I never do anything about!) Anyway I am thinking that I could have a monthly theme to create around - obviously next month will be Halloween. 

I'm also thinking maybe over the next few months -

-pirates 

-dinosaurs

-cowboys

But then again I guess I should be seriously thinking about stocking up my shop for Xmas as it's not that far away! Aaarrgh! Where has the year gone! 

New Ideas.

It has really surprised me how therapeutic I've found writing this blog. I was really sceptical at first about posting aspects of my life on the internet for anyone to read. But it's been great to have somewhere to put down my random thoughts, I've not got anything particularly interesting to say but then I guess it doesn't really matter if anyone reads this as long as I'm finding it helpful.... And it really is helping me, it has made me think more about what I'm doing and has given me more motivation to move forward with my little shop.

Anyway still no new sales!  Don't think anyone is interested in my half price sale, although I guess I should go on the forums and ask for some advice.

On the other hand I had a much more productive day off yesterday, I had loads of ideas and made two more tote bags (photos to follow) to put on etsy in October.  I've been thinking of maybe starting a new range of cushions, I bought some great new fabric today (even though I can't really afford it!), some lovely blue cord and red/white stripes.

I'm thinking pirate cushion! ARRRGH!!

Starting as I mean to go on.

Following the example of my fellow etsians I have decided to start this blog, mostly to show myself how lazy I am when it comes to crafting! I'm not really writing this expecting other people to read it, more using it as a way to document when and how often I create things. I think my main problem is I have too many things I want to try and make that I never get round to actually making them! Well anyway I should really get on, I've got to make three skull appliques for a lady in Texas and I guess they're not going to make themselves!