An Order of Bunting

Hello all,

Just a quick post to tell you about an order that was placed while I was at Matlock Bath in Derbyshire last week, for this bunting:

 

A lady saw mine pinned and hanging in front of my table cloth on the stall and then saw my Green & White Shopping Bags and asked if I could make some in that material. Of course I jumped at it! I love to do things slightly different and I welcomed the order. She had a few requirements that were different to that advertised and that made for a challenge. Love a challenge!

So this bunting is double sided as it will be hung in a window, it is double interfaced for durability, stability and less see-through-ness (I know), it makes up to the required 85", it has 1" gaps between each flag, it is sewn and then zig-zag edged and finally, it is bound using the same material.

It sounds so simple, and really, it was in terms of practice, it just takes some time and a lot of care, that's all. BUT I love doing it! So it makes it all ok.

Do you like it? Leave me a comment or Like me on Facebook if you will. Thanks.

Oh, and a little teaser of my other latest project:

This is to come in the next blog...stay tuned.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

Pom-Pom Bookmarks

Evening all, hope you've had a good week and ready for a sunny (in the UK) weekend! Wahoo!

I just wanted to share these little beauties with you that I made today:

Are they cute or what? I saw the idea somewhere on the internet recently, so I can't claim them as totally my own, however I made them a different size and I added the eyes and the beads, so I guess it's my interpretation of...

I love making pom-poms and found a much easier and quicker way to make them, than I did when I was a child, so I was able to make these over the course of one day (in-between life interuptions, you know what I mean?)

And the best part? I will be selling these for just 99p each! They're great little pocket-money lines for the craft fairs.

How do you like this little lady? I've named her Pony-Pom; I think you'll guess why...

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading,
Julie. :)

(c) FMN Crafts 2014

Chalk, Lavender, Kindle and Coins...in that order!

Hi there,

Four items to tell you about today (yep, been busy again!) First up, these are the OTHER two designs of Chalk Boards I mentioned in the previous post:
 

 

The first one is a crackled gold on a black base and it gives a real rustic, perhaps chabby chic look as I chose frames that could be recylcled.The second one is yellow-ish gold colour and I decorated it with red trim and flowers. They are great because they are small enough to fit in so many places of your home, office or craft room!

Both have black-boarded glass to write on, both stand on their own although they could be hung, both come complete with chalk and both cost just £5.99 each. Bargain! Find them soon in my Etsy store and remember, there is only one of each...

Now, onto the second of today's delights... Do you like lavender? The smell I mean? Well if so, I have the perfect little drawer filler for you:

Look at the cuteness! These little organza bags are just over 3 inches wide and are full of French Lavender heads. They smell gorgeous. And at only 99p per bag, who can resist? They are finished with cute lavender coloured ribbon and they can be placed in an underwear drawer, a scaft drawer, on the bed-side table or just about anywhere you like. They aid relaxation and sleep... If it gets to a point where you can't smell the lavender so much anymore, you just gently squeeze the bag which will crush a few heads and the aroma will fill and calm your senses once more. Find these in my Etsy store soon too...

Next up, is a really pretty new style of Kindle Fire HD Case I designed and made just this morning:

 

I bought some doilies and few months back and they sat on my shelf sinse then, because I didn't know what to do with them. Then, just this morning, this idea popped into my head. I have made Kindle cases previously, and although brilliant (if I do say so myself) they are in an envelope style - this time I wanted to make a sleeve style instead. I also thought I would keep this line quite modest in materials as opposed to my usual floral and spot, earthy maybe and so I used a cream exterior, white interior, white doiley, brown button and string for closing. I thought about adding a handle, key ring or even an ear-phone holder but thought against it in the end. Maybe later.

I took measurements of my Kindle, worked it all out, then interfaced the exterior and padded the interior. I actually quilted the interior to make for greater padding and quality finish and I think it looks realy nice. The doiley is hand sewn on and the button and string have a little give to allow for ease of opening and closing, yet they keep the Kindle secure and in place. My Kindle looks very at home in this and I am pleased how it turned out; I will be making iPad and other tablet cases soon so watch this space...

And finally for today, I finished these a couple of days ago:

 

Mini coin purses. These are in fact the second batch, I forgot to tell you about the first, but because I only had three left I had to make some more... They are quite small so they are known as coin purses, they all have interesting linings and they are have cute little zips. I usually reserve these as basket fillers for Fairs, but I may put some in my Etsy store if there is an interest shown. And the best bit? They are only £1.99 each! Wow. 'Can't make it for that'. Well actually...

(I like to keep my prices as low as I possibly can. As those who make things will know, if I charged for the time it takes to think up, design, make and re-make items, I wouldn't get anything back - there is no way I can charge for my time. But hey, I love doing it! I like to charge a price that is fair and that I would be happy to pay myself - I think this is the best way.)

So, mammoth post over, what do you think? I would love to know. 'Like' me on Facebook if you wish or leave a comment here.

Thank you for your time and for reading :)

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

More Notice Boards...to Notice!

Evening all,

Just wanted to let you all see my new notice boards, to add to my collection. First up, we have the blast of pink in this pin board and pocket board mix:

You will 'notice' it has quite a few elements to it: The cork board is covered in a lovely pink cotton material with ribbon trimming, there is a hanging line of crochet with cute mini pegs to clips things to and there is a really handy pocket at the base to slot Chinese restaurant menus and bus time tables etc in to. The back is covered in well and finished off, and the board comes complete with a 'choose how you wish to hang' pack, comprising of one flat-to-the-wall metal fitting with two screws and a wall screw, plus a length of fishing wire and screw-into-the-frame hooks, so you can choose! I love the materials used for this board as they add dimension to the usual, boring old pin board and it would fit into many places of a home or office.

Secondly, I would like to introduce to you to my Chalk Board and Padded Card Slot Notice Boards:

This one is my Cloud Board, which has beautiful clouds and flowers material at the base for cards, with red striped ribbon and green buttons. The top half is a chalk board and both sections sit in a cream painted frame, divided in two by a very useful chalk holder. This item also comes with a 'how-to-hang' pack and chalks. :) I have also made this one:

A Peach and Gold Board which has wonderfully classy material for the card holder, a chalk board top half, a cream coloured wood frame and very handy chalk slot yet again. This too comes with a 'how-to-hang' pack and chalks.

I enjoyed making all of these boards and I know there will be more designs to come. I took the padded boards (mentioned in my previous post) out at the fair in Matlock Bath last weekend and the lighter one sold almost straight away, so I was really please. I really think they will grace any room in the home or office etc so I have every faith they will appeal to the masses. What do you think?

They will be in my Etsy shop soon, but in the meantime, if you have any questions please ask. :)

Coming soon:

Watch this space...





If you enjoyed reading this blog, please pass it on! Don't be shy. Remember you can 'Like' my Facebook page and keep ahead of more new products and fair dates coming up.

Thanks for reading, good night.

p.s. It's our 9th Wedding Anniversary today and we visited our wedding venue, the beautiful Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire. We reminisced over the events of the day (as well as the run up to!) and all the wonderful people who shared our special day...thanks to all. Here's to the next 9 years and well beyond!

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

Fairs and New Products

Afternoon all,

I have been busy. As usual. Over the last two weekends, I exhibited at the Bakewell Town Hall for Craft Fairs and both were worthwhile. I had really good fun at each fair, made some more friends and made even more sales. A couple of people asked if I have a list of fairs and their dates that I am attending and although I didn't right then, I told them to look at my Facebook page every now and then, as I usually list up-and-coming dates on there. You can too...

Whilst I was at one fair, Verity, who runs Hedgerow Pickles and Preserves asked if I made Notice Boards. I said no. Then I thought about it and when I got home I planned it and then the following day I made these:

Tiny Blue Flowers with Cream Ribbon

Strawberries with Red Ribbon

I sent Verity an e.mail that day and she responded with "Oh my God, you don't mess around do you?! They're perfect!"

I was pleased. And so I made the strawberries one today. What's tomorrow you ask? Well, I ran out of some of the materials so I can't make any more until re-stocked. They are fully padded, the ribbons are taut and finished off with cute little buttons. They are ideal for sliding in business cards, envelopes, bills etc and you can also use fancy clips to attach things if you wish...

What do you think?

Leave me a comment if you like, Like me on Facebook too if you wish or pass this on. I'd love to hear what you think. There will be more styles, sizes and designs coming soon. I am exhibiting at one of Verity's Fairs in June so I may save them and make a stash for then...afterall, these were her idea ;) Thanks Verity!

Thanks for reading, have a happy week :)
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014.

Matlock Bath Craft Fair

Evening all,

Just a short note to say that tomorrow and on Sunday I am at Matlock Bath Methodist Church, in the beautiful Peak District, at a Craft, Gift and Food Fair. Doors open 11.00am - 5.00pm. Please pop in if you can, there promises to be some great products not usually found on the high street! For more details, see the organisers Facebook page.

Thank you,
Julie. :)

Miniatura and New Lip Salve Holder Keyrings

Hello all,

We have been busy.

You know how my husband and I have a business between us called Forget-Me-Not Miniatures, well two weekends ago we stood at the Spring Miniatura show at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and it was quite a weekend!

A view of the hall

We arrived on the Friday (as traders are allowed entry to the hall to set up), we set up, found the hotel, ate and drank with friends, slept, arrived at the NEC again first thing Saturday morning and got ready to sell. Well, David didn't sit down until about 2pm (the doors opened at 10am) and I sat down, for a pot noodle, at about 3pm-ish. IT WAS PACKED. We had a great fair which also ran on the Sunday (although a little quieter) and we sold lots of miniatures. Our neighbours were Karen and Ray of Ray Storey Lighting and we always have a laugh with them, but we hardly spoke that first half a day! Wow. It was a great atmosphere, just what we needed and really fun for all involved. If you don't know much about Doll's House Miniatures, you should click some of the links and explore - it is a facinating business. So, here's to Autumn Miniatura.

And so, on our return, needless to say we had a little re-stocking to do and so that is what we were doing for most of last week. I had totally ran out of Huntley and Palmer's Assorted Biscuits and so I have been making them, David has been cracking on with Tudor Furniture and he is also making us some new stands for the stall... Lovely. Here are the biscuits by the way:

Huntley & Palmer's Family Assorted Biscuits (approximately 30 of 9 sorts)

Over the weekend, I returned my attentions to Forget-Me-Not Crafts and started to replace stock from my last Craft Fair in Bakewell. One of my lines which I sold out of bar one was the Lip Salve Holder Keyring. So here is how my new batch started life:

 And this is how they ended up:

I really love these little things, they are so pretty and yet so practical. Just clip your keys on or attach one to your bag and you need never be without your favourite lip salve, lip gloss or lipstick again! What I have started to do is make each and every one of them in different materials, so that each one is unique and each customer will receive a unique item. I think it's a nice touch and certainly evades repetition too.

I will always try, wherever possible, to add my FMN Crafts tabs and this is where they go on these items:

All the lip salve holders come with a lipsalve and all of them are brand new, of course. They vary (strawberry, aloe vera, original etc) so a customer may either choose one or take pot luck!

They make really good gifts too... Find them NOW in my Etsy Store. More news coming later in the week...

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment or Like me on Facebook (I've got 60 Likes now!) Have a great day.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014