Hillary's Blinds Country Crafts Competition

Free fabric!

Did I read that right?

Oh my... fabric... for free... how could any fabric addict pass up such an opportunity?

There must be a catch?

Oh look darn there is a catch, I have to make something with it, such a shame because you know I don't like being creative at all *sigh* :D

Yeah right I think Mr Mouse would be seriously worried if I not only passed up an opportunity for free fabric but then couldn't work out something to make with it.

The free fabric came courtesy of Hillary's Blinds as part of their Country Crafts Competion. I had a choice between four different designs in their new Country Retreat range and they are simply stunning but for me the Bird Paradise in Teal really stands out as a winner so this is what I picked.

I might have actually squeaked with delight when the fabric came as it is really gorgeous, I don't think pictures will ever do it justice.

But then the dilemma what to make.

I though about using it as panels in a skirt, but I didn't have any similar weight fabric in my stash, then I decided on a bag and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to take the mini bunny eared tote I designed and made last year and scale it up to a full sized tote.

The original mini bunny eared tote

So what was my inspiration for this tote?

Well I do love my bunnies.

But also have you ever been carrying a tote and wishing that it had different handles?

Well I have and its just annoying when you want to hoist that bag up on your shoulders but the handles are just far too short, or you want to carry your bag in your hand and the handles are so long that you end up wrapping them around your hand, which is a pain in itself. Even worse when the handle are just too short and long all at the same time.

So I came up with bunny ears for handles.

Ta-Dah

Simply tie for desired length, simples.

So here we have it a full sized bunny eared tote in the most gorgeous fabric ever:

Being a large tote I did add a little pocket on the inside:

actually its a little double pocket 

But in future I will also add an internal security zipped pocket and a magnetic closure to the main bag.

But.....

Well.........

I still had some fabric left.......

So.......

Mini bunny eared tote

Another small version. This one I used a heavy weight interfacing on so it retains a rigid shape and would be perfect for an Easter egg hunt.

How cute are those ears?

P.S
How I would love a few metres of this fabric to play with.

P.P.S
I am still thinking a skirt with peak-a-boo peacock panels would be awesome.

Changes

You night have noticed that I haven't been here for a year. Last year was very hard for me and culminated with me losing my job at the beginning of this year. I wont go into all the details but I have historically written about my struggles with my desk job and chronic illness. But I will say it was a toxic situation that was making more poorly. 

So what now?

I am job hunting and times are a little uncertain (food to buy, mortgage to pay etc)

But I am also using the time productively. As my health is improving I am doing more to get fit and doing all I can to keep moving and better manage my complex range of health issues. I am also teaching myself how to make clothes and getting a better focus on my business and will be launching new things this year. I am trying to spend time each week de-cluttering and sorting through things. 

Moving forwards...

I am going to blog my journey and the life stuff is going to be a bit more of the focus.

Lifestyle, being a spoonie (living with chronic illness) and there maybe a review or two along the way - things I've tried, products I use, I have also become a Bzz Agent so there may also be the occasional Bzz. 

But most importantly it will all be my own views, my own struggles and (hopefully) triumphs. 

Spring Bracelet

I made this for someone special who needs a little bit of pampering as she is going through a bit of a hard time at the moment.

And the Messy Studio Award Goes To.....

....LittlemouseLilly.


Well if there is a messy studio/craft room award at the moment I think I would win it hands down.


I thought that I would share my space - the aim was to tidy it first. But well I thats not going to happen today - it will happen.......at some point.


So these are my little bookshelves (I do need to get a full sized one at some point) - you can see I have tried to keep at least a small part of my room tidy.

As you can see there is a cat bed sort of buried down there

So this is my desk - its smaller than my last one (Mr Mouse has that one now) the space is shared between sewing, jewellery making and now the computer (I normally draw snuggled downstairs on the sofa) - oh and the bane of my life the wireless printer/scanner is DOWNSTAIRS in Mr Mouses studio (that he shares with Queen Zara, the washing machine, tumble dryer and boiler - so I guess I shouldnt really moan toooo much after all I do have a room to myself)

Erm now you see that chest of draws? Yes! Well erm it might be (ok is) FULL of fabric. The bags in front are craft magazines that need sorting (and yes there might be another box full in another room).


The colourful storage draws are full of jewellery making supplies and packaging.


Oh and that cardboard box on the pile with the parcel tape contains my wedding skirt and corset (really want to be able to display the corset in some way - I should open the box and make sure its all ok).

Yep my room is small (I have too much stuff) so even the window sill hasnt escaped being cluttered (but I do have a lovely view)

Ok so there might be some more fabric

Oh and some wool

Now I will have to surprise you all and do a its all tidy post in the future (will there be cake if I do?)

My First Craft Fair

So last Saturday was my very first craft fair and I had a great time.


You can see my table here


And here are some of the things that I took:

Some lovely, lovely bags

My badges didn't do as well as I expected - I think it was down to the display  I just popped them all into a pot so for the next one they will be displayed in a better look and me kind of way

And of course I took some cushions and cuddles

My cards went down very well and I got loads of compliments on them - the cushions also proved popular at drawing people to my stall. And the little lavender hearts went down well.


Now like everyone your first is a big deal. Will I sell anything? Will people like what I do? Will I have enough change?


For me it was also about can I do this? Can I cope?


As you all know I have a chronic illness, I also suffer from chronic back pain and anxiety. So my first time was a pretty big deal. Now I was lucky and had the lovely theothermousie on the table next to me (a lovely fellow mouse that I met on twitter) and I have to say a big thank you to theothermousie, Mr Mousie and the Mice for helping me on the day (My Mr Mouse had to stay at home).


I viewed the day as a learning experience the fact that I made some money for me was a bonus. I proved to myself that I can do it - so onwards and upwards. 


Tips that I learnt:
Dont under estimate how much prep work you need to do
If your items can be transported on/in their displays do it (saves time setting up)
Label before you go
Have a list of your items (this will work as a stock list and sales list to help you keep track for your accounts)
Take a pen and note book for contacts/custom order bookings
Take a duplicates book (in case someone wants a receipt)
Calculator 
Make your Storage work for you - think can it double up for display?
Have easy to eat nibbles and try to fit those nibbles in during the lulls of activity
Flask of tea/bottle of drink 
Painkillers
Think about how you are going to transport your stock - I found that those big blue Ikea bags are great along with under bed tote bags (these could then be folded and stored safely out of the way (no trip hazards please)


What will I do differently at my next one?
No jewellery (because jewellery slots were all taken) - but I will be taking a tart book
Better display of badges
Will create stepped display for cushions so they are even more visible
Will make it clearer that I do commission work
Will make it clearer that postcards are there to be taken
Will make sure that everyone who buy something gets a business card and try to hand more out :)


Will I be booking more?
Oh yes 


So how was your first time. Do you have any tips that you want to share?


Now a sneak peak at a new venture:


Wonderfully modelled by Mr Mouse - I will be opening a CafePress store so you will be able to get my lovely illustrations printed on things like jim jams - oh yes I know exciting. I brought these to check out the quality and because I love Mr Mouse and he loves Leonard.

LittlemouseLilly Makes.....Cake!

I love cake. 
I love making cake. 
I love eating cake. 
I love eating cake mix - the whole reason I learnt to make cake as a young mouse still at primary school.


So making cake really not that unusual. 


But I decided on a twist - how about crafting cake?


So I have made slices of sponge cake with jam and butter frosting:

What do you think?


Mouse Manor has also been going very festive with the jingling sound of little Christmas bells and sparkly glitter:

Coming soon to my etsy shop.

Photo A Day - Day 15

A treasured childhood possession

There are a few items that I could have chosen but most have already been packed away for the up coming move - apart from a little mouse. 


I thought that I had lost her in a previous move and was so happy when I found her and ever since she has not been allowed out of my sight (she is very little):

Littlemouse

She was handmade with tiny stitches and given to me by a Nun. Now I cant remember the name of the Nun but it was possibly Sister Joan Mary. What I can tell you is that she was from the Dominican Convent in Kelvedon (closed a long time ago and turned into apartments).


How did a Nun come to give me such a wonderful gift? Well mum was one of their cooks and on school holidays I would cycle or walk from our village to Kelvedon (about 3 miles - I was still at primary school) and I would spend time helping in the kitchen (well mainly sitting at a table drawing). The Nuns would spoil me, now I don't remember when I got it, but I have treasured it for over 20 years and yes you guessed it she inspired my logo.

So you can see just how little she is