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. 

New Facebook Page

Hi all,

Just a quick post to tell you that our good friend Shelagh runs Craft and Gift Fairs and Events at the Bakewell Town Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire and she has just opened a Facebook Page about it. Posts include event dates and times, as well as who is attending, directions, photographs and products and all kinds of things. David (with his RNLI charity stall) and I regularly attend her fairs as they are so well organised, delivered and attended by the public. Stall holders have some fabulous items including crafts and gifts, art work, photography, textiles of many kinds, jewellery, candles, outdoor ornaments, glass art and many other things. Please pop on over if you get a second and leave a comment or a Like.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

Three New Items...

Hello all,

Just a small post today to show you my latest makes, so first up:

These are men's (or not) hard wearing wallets, made from fab upholstery materials. I made some of these a while ago and they all sold well; I know of at least two people who really like this style of wallet saying they are not only durable but fit well in a jacket or trouser pocket without the bulk of a usual wallet.

They have a lining which contains four pockets for cards, which can actually hold eight and at the back there is a notes slot. They are really soft to the touch too, quite tactile it seems...

Next up:

I saw this material and knew right away that I had to make bags from it! This is a small laminated cotton bag that can be used for all kinds of things, but mostly it can be used as a lunch bag (as in the pic) or as a children's bag for books, toys or otherwise... 

And finally:

This is a freehand machine embroidery flowers, denim and cream throw cushion that I simply love! I made one similar a while ago and that sold quite quickly and so today I finally got around to making another. This is 16" square and has an envelope back. What do you think?

Finally for today a quick reminder of the Antiques, Craft & Gift Fair I am attending tomorrow at the Ashford-In-The-Water Memorial Hall, near Bakewell. If you fancy a day out, please come along, entry is free, there are refreshments and fabulous stalls and the surrounding area is just a beautiful part of the Peak District. Doors open at 10.00am.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

The Goboka Rwanda Trust Cafe and Craft Fair

Hi everyone,

Just a small blog to advertise the event we will be attending tomorrow, The Goboka Rwanda Trust Charity Cafe and Craft Fair at the Bakewell Town Hall tomorrow, 20th April 2015.

Please see their Facebook page for details, they are a group of wonderful people helping make the lives of people in Africa that little bit easier. The Goboka Rwanda Trust is a small UK registered charity that supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people, their families and communities.

The fair is a monthly one held in the town hall and has a fabulous little cafe with some craft, gift and artist stalls selling lots of lovely things you wouldn't usually see on the high street, all designed and made by the stall holders. It has a lovely atmosphere and is a relaxing environment - the charity and the stall holders appreciate all the support they recieve.

My husband also runs his Royal National Lifeboat Institution stall, where he sells quality bric-a-brac items donated by very kind members of the public, who no longer have a need for their items and who would love to help support the charity. His stall is becoming well known for the quality of items, including such things as crystal decanters and glasses, named crockery and glass wears including Crown Derby, Moorcroft and Beswick etc, as well as antique jewellery, fountain pens and silver wear all at rediculously low prices. Buyers gain beautiful items whilst giving to the RNLI at the same time. It's a win-win situation. If you have any items you would like to donate for him to sell, please contact me or come along tomorrow and speak to David, or bring your items! Here is a look at part of his stall:

Each fair will be different with new items each time as the items sell quickly - piece of advise here: If you see it and you like it, BUY IT! It will probably not be there 30 minutes later. Bring cash. Lots. ;)

Anyway, enough plugging, hope see you tomorrow, doors open at 10am, The Bakewell Town Hall, Derbyshire, DE45 1BT. Plus, Monday is market day in town and always has a fabulous atmosphere.

Julie.

Craft Fair

Well actually these details came a little later than expected...sorry about that.

The Crafts, Gifts and Food Fair has it's final day for the Easter break at the Bakewell Town Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1BT tomorrow, Monday 6th April 2015.

There are some fabulous stalls there, including textile creations - all owner designed and hand made, local beautiful photography and that of further afield, unusual and impressive hand made jewellery, a chocolatier with some truly yummy goods, my husband's charity stall raising funds for the RNLI and many more.

It is market day on Monday's in Bakewell so there is something for everyone and as it's a Bank Holiday it will be lively! A great atmosphere no doubt.

Doors open at 10am, if you don't know where it is once you have arrived in Bakewell, just look for the signs that say 'Follow the Sheep!" And don't worry, there is PLENTY of parking available and if you'd prefer, you can walk, cycle or bus it in. There are no excuses...

So, see you tomorrow!

Oh, and if you mention this blog, I'll give you 10% off any order over £10 :)

PASS IT ON!

Julie.

Good evening all,

Just wanted to show you a couple of things and then tell you about my weekend...

The first picture I want to show you is this:

A lovely lady called Gaynor approached me at my last Fair in Bakewell and asked if I would provide her with some of my Freehand Machine Embroidered cards for her Farm Shop in Rowsley, of course I jumped at the chance! So far, I have made these as pictured and have many more to come. Hopefully they will sell well, I think this style of item will look great in any farm shop and I was really pleased at being asked!

Next I would like to show you these:

You may remember similar ones in my previous blog, these are Freehand Machine Embroidery Lavender Bags. I simply love lavender and these bags are filled with lavender heads from Provence - they smell wonderful. Again like in the last batch, I have made four and have more lined up, which I hope will sell well at the fair tomorrow - details in a moment.

And finally for tonight, I'd like to show you this:

This is a small Freehand Machine Embroidery Throw Cushion. I was in Hobbycraft recently and came across a mass of materials in fat quarters and these patterns/prints appealed to me right away. I bought some small pillow forms and this was created. It is so cute! (If I do say so myself). It measures just 12" square and has an envelope back so the cover comes off easily if it needs cleaning.

And so to the fair - my husband and I will both be exhibiting at the Bakewell Town Hall in beautiful Derbyshire from tomorrow (Saturday) until Monday, me with my crafts and David with his charity RNLI stall. If you fancy a day out, you know where to come; there promises to be some great stalls including photography, gretings cards, art work and jewellery etc so please come along if you can. Remember, next Sundays is Mother's Day so you will no doubt be able to pick up some wonderful items.

Thanks for reading, comment if you wish or say hi on Facebook.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Afternoon all,

This is just a short message to say that tomorrow, Monday 16th February 2015, I will be exhibiting at the Bakewell Town Hall, Derbyshire, in the beautiful Peak District.

The Bakewell Town Hall

There is an organisation called the Goboka Rwanda Trust which is a small UK registered charity that supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people, their families and their communities, and once a month they run a Cafe and Craft Fair in the Town Hall to raise funds.

Goboka School Project

It is such a great atmosphere and there are around 8 stalls peddling their wears as well as the cafe selling teas, coffees, hot chocolate etc - where I can thoroughly recommend the chocolate cake!

If you fancy a day out in Bakewell, Monday would be a good day not only for the fair, but also because it's Market day and there is always a great buzz. Plus, you can visit The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop...

The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Doors open around 10am, hope to see you then.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

This Weekend...

Hi all,

Just a quick one to say that this Saturday and Sunday I will be exhibiting at the Matlock Bath Methodist Church, Derbyshire again, from about 11am - 5pm each day, with all my goods and some you haven't seen yet...! It's Father's Day in the UK this Sunday, so why not pop along, with the old pops, and see if you can buy him a well deserved treat?

A tiny section of my stall last time

Just before opening time

The entry is free, you will be subjected to fine foods to sample including locally produced cheeses, chutneys, honey, fudge and muffins as well as sampling the finest of craftsmanship in sewing, jewellery making, painting, card making, and artistry you don't find on the high street as well as a few branded named stalls. There really is something for everyone and with numerous car parks, even more chip shops and amusements, Abrahams Heights, Gullivers Kingdom and much, much more, it will be a day worth spending out with us.

See you there!

Oh, and if you come and say hi and mention this blog, there's a free gift in it for you! ;)

Thanks for reading, pass it on if you will.
Julie.