Gardening and Tea Cups!

Hi all,

Just a short blog today just to tell you I haven't fallen off the face of the earth - it's just been rather busy here. I have been re-stocking and adding things to the shop my items are in, Two Little Magpies in Beeston, Nottingham and I have been making lots of things for my craft fairs too.

And I have been gardening. Oh yes. I know all about weeds now...

Not that I didn't before, well, I knew a bit but my husband is the gardener here. We are fortunate to have a large back garden and the front is quite large too so it's all go to keep them up to standard. And I have been helping :) We actually get quite a lot of lovely comments form the neighbours as they walk past so it makes all the hard work worthwhile (mostly David's). :D

Here's a picture of part of the front garden taken a week or so ago:

And here's a picture of the bottom of back garden from my shed, about 4-5 weeks ago:

 

Here's a picture of another part of the back garden from my workshop (spare room) window (yes, I am blessed working here and yes, we're soon to replace our little fence!):

 

And this picture shows the garden from the top patio area, earlier in the season before hanging baskets appeared everywhere and climbers started climbing etc. The canopy is still off the swing chair too, so spring/summer was just beginning:

I'll bring more soon.

But anyway, I haven't got many pictures to show you of new items as I have been re-stocking, as mentioned, but I have done these I'd like you to see:

These are my Tea Cup Pin Cushions. How cute are these?! I just love florals, I love China tea cups and saucers and I love sewing, so these hit the spot (much like the tea would)!

 

A few of these are for the shop and the others (with more to come) will soon be available at my craft fairs.

So that's all for now, see you soon,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016

Busy Busy and New Items

Hello all,

Wow, long time no blog! Guess what? I've been busy! As usual... Some of these items were out at my last fair, but that just shows you how long it's been since I blogged.

So without further ado, I'll show you some stuff. First up:

This is the next in line of my Upholstery Material Cushions, this one in a beautiful botanic style print, complete with matching piping (I love making piping now...), an envelope back and detail on the back to match the material on the front. This material is a mix of hemp and linen and it feels delightful, it measures 16" x 16" and will be going with me on Sunday to the next fair I'm at - details later. I have another one to show you but that's next time, as I haven't got the cushion form in it yet... I really like making these one off style throw cushions and the neutral colours mean they can be placed in many homes.

Next up:

The latest style of Mobile Case with Earphone Pocket. I bought these blue and white materials and thought they would look great on the mobile cases so these were born. This style of case (ones with pockets) have been selling well at the fairs as they are so attractive and useful. I think that's what people are looking for these days...

And the next:

These are my beautiful (yes, I do say so myself) Freehand Machine Embroidery Denim and Cotton Padded Glasses Cases. Oh yes. Each have a little flap to hold the glasses in with an elastic closure and each is lined with a complimentary cotton lining. The padding protects the glasses and they are big enough to hold bulky sunglasses too. Perfect for summer holidays then...

And the next:

I really love making these - Tissue Packs. Each is made using two beautiful different prints of cotton and there's a lovely peep of 'material number two' down the middle, where the opening is to get to the tissues. Mum and I went on a material shopping trip a couple of weeks ago and we found a shop I will be returning to no doubt! I spent quite a bit and some of the materials you see in these tissue packs are indeed brand new. I love material shopping. Is it possible to ever have too much?

Each pack contains 10 4ply tissues and are easily replaced once used. These make lovely gifts and when they sell at the fairs, I would say 80% are bought as gifts. One lady bought 4 last summer for Christmas presents...

These are next:

This scotty dog material is also new and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I have a feeling it may be good as purses and that's why I whipped these two little ones up. I also have it in blue. They are a great size, you can get loads of money plus store and credit cards in and there is a blue spotty interior with black ribbon pull on the zip. I think these will go well and of course I will be making more than just two!

And finally, just a few re-do's as these items always sell well:

Floral Classic Padded Glasses Case (click to enlarge)

Carrier Bag Keyrings - never be without a carrier bag again!

Roll Up Floral Shopping Bag, heavy duty, large size

Map Gift Bags, set of three, great fun!

Tea Cup Freehand Machine Embroidery Floral Throw Cushion. I love this!

Magnetic Washi-tape Pegs

Net Curtain Bunting. Yes, I know, but it's an experiment - I want to hear people's reactions. I think it's funky but we'll see.

So that's all! If you have managed to get through this whole blog - well done! And thank you. Please leave me a comment or even share this, I'd love to get a little more exposure about my creations and gain people's thoughts.

Oh, I almost forgot. On Sunday and Monday, 1st and 2nd May 2016 I will be exhibiting at Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire. They are holding a Dog Show outdoors and a Craft Fair indoors. Guess which one I'm exhibiting at?! Ha! In fact, no, scratch that... ;)

Bye for now.
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2016.