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.

Mouse World Domination and Giveaway

So I have booked a place at my first craft fair - its 14 April 2012 at Greasley Parish Hall.


Now it was a bit of a stab in the dark. You see I don't know my local area very well or the craft scene. I wanted a small fair for my start, because I want to test the waters as it were - 
One: how well will my items be received? And 
Two: will I be able to cope.


Now I was going on experience of fairs back in Essex and some of the best that I have been too (as a shopper) have been those little local ones. So I am optimistic. 


I am looking forwards to it and need to get stocked back up on Moo cards (I do love Moo, discovered them ages ago when I was wedding planning) and sort out tart books (all the jewellery spots full but no harm in taking tart books to show off).


Anyway I was thinking my bio is no longer right it needs updating 


So this is my bio:

"I up-cycle and repurpose fabric (with the occasional new piece thrown in) with cross stitch, embroidery and sewing to create gifts.

My ideas evolve from doodles, designs and from just letting the fabric tell me how it wants to be used – delving into my fabric boxes and pulling out the fabric that speaks to me on that occasion to create items such as quilts, cushions pr bags (with a little bit of knitting thrown in for good measure). These are either centred around a cross stitch or embroidered design (I like to think of stitching as painting on fabric with threads), either from my own design or from charts or from the fabric itself.

For inspiration I look to nature and the world around me through the lens of my camera and try to look at things from different angles.

My love of fabric, sewing needles and threads, beads and all things fluffy and sparkly have helped to create LittlemouseLilly a whirlwind of creativity."

It says nothing about my jewellery making and I am finding that I am doing less of the embroidery, cross stitching, not because I don't like it but because it takes time and I know from past experience that some people don't always appreciate the time and therefore don't understand the cost (once at a craft fair I heard someone mutter "its all lovely but over priced, its only handmade" GRRRR only hand made only ONLY but you'd be happy to pay double for mass poorly produced!?) so I need to update it I will be thinking about how to word it - have you got any suggestions? What do you think about the Mouse style?

Now onto the Givaway bit that I mentioned in the title :)

As readers will know I have been ill (or rather more ill!) lately and have been going through some 'stuff' (it's not over yet). Now everyone (blogger, twitter and blipfoto) have been fantastic and very supportive I am so glad that I did find the courage to speak out.

As a thank you and celebration of craft fair booking I am doing a giveaway and all you lovely, lovely people can win.

So here is what you can win:

Necklace

More pictures can be found here

Bracelet

More pictures can be found here

Earrings

More pictures can be found here

And lastly

Vintage fabric lavender heart

So how can you win I hear you cry - simple follow my blog and leave a comment to this post 

That will get your name into the hat once (yes a real hat I do things old school)

Now for the bonus chances - each step will get your name into the hat again:

follow me on Twitter

like me on facebook

favourite my shop on etsy

add me to your circle on etsy

follow me on pinterest

follow me on blipfoto

let people know about my giveaway, just let me know so I can ensure that your extra point goes in the hat

Ok so that is 7 additional chances to get your name into the hat, 8 chances in total.

Oh and make sure you let me know if you do the additional steps and who you are especially if you use different names on the other options :)

Last day to enter is Friday 10 February 2012.

Good luck x

Introducing - All Wrapped Up

Ok so I have mentioned this a few times but I am now ready to officially launch it :)

The idea for the package came from the desperation of men and their fear of well buying a nice present but well then presenting it to their loved one looking like "the dogs dinner".

The idea is easy - Buy a gift from from my shop - add the All Wrapped Up Package and then that gift will come beautifully wrapped with gift tag and greetings card of your choosing, I will even write in the card for you so literally all you have to do is present it. Of course there will be an option without the card if you prefer.

Now this is my standard wrapping - how you will get your purchase without the fancy package:

A piece of tissue paper and a bit of string colours vary.

Now this is the All Wrapped Up Package:
(please note contents for illustration only)

I will also be offering the flowers for sale separately

Bed Throw

Ok so at the end of last year I brought you my personal snuggle blankets:
Sofa Snuggle
Sentimental Snuggle
Knitted Snuggle


This is my bed throw (and some of my secret tips!), I do have a thing about blankets and throws (we have far too many - thank the gods for vacuum pack).

Its a patchwork quilt - I found the feature cat material in a remnants basket, I added some fabric from fat quarter packs (I do admit that I have a bit of a fabric problem) and then some vintage fabric and upcycled fabric from my stash (I am sure I can't be the only person that has ever brought an item of clothing with the fabric in mind for its stash possibilities once its no longer wearable - or has even brought something on sale/charity shop just for the fabric).


Rather than use quilt batting or wadding and erm quilt (this is lazy quilting but it really looks lovely - at least I think so) it has been made with a 4.5 tog duvet (king sized - for all you crafty bargain hunters out there you can stock up on these in the summer when the supermarkets bring them to you at amazing prices - cut them up join them together etc), then to ensure that I had a piece of fabric large enough for the back - this is top tip time - I used a king sized flat sheet (cheaper than buying lengths of fabric and joining them).

Then to make it washable and ensure that the duvet inside doesn't 'slip' (as its not proper quilted) I have added gorgeous buttons (yes I have a button fetish as well) to the corners.

My Own Photo Studio

For Christmas my In-Laws gave me a photo studio - I really am a lucky girl :)

Anyway so here are some of my results - what do you think?