New embroidery patterns!

I'm in the midst of so many sewing projects here, and full embracing it....there is a sea of cushions going on in my studio space, getting orders ready for posting. I will share a photo of the mountain when I'm not too lazy to get the camera out of its case! (disgraceful!)

There has also been a whole lot of sewing related stuff going on over on my new spangly website...Did I tell you I'd had a re-do?! I've gone all fancy pants and  got a rotating photograph and all! oh lala!  Here is the link! 

With the introduction of my embroidery kits, I wanted to create a little online sewing classroom which offered links to the sewing related tutorials I've done, and pdf's to download. A great place for those who are new to embroidery and a little nervous! There are some free embroidery patterns too which you won't have seen before:

If any of these take your fancy you can download them here.

Last on the sewing front is a new kit without the "Frills" which I've added to my etsy shop (here).

Unlike the other embroidery kits I showed you recently, this kit comes minus the packaging and guides/instructions, needle and embroidery hoop. I liked the idea of this as it not only makes it cheaper, but also giving the freedom to stitch with your own choice of colours and stitches, and letting you use your already existing large pile of embroidery supplies! The finished piece fits a 4" hoop. Sweet!

 Phew! I think that's enough stitchery news for one day.......time to dive into that cushion mound x

Pulse 2014 - My experience Snow White style...

Yay! Everything has returned to its equilibrium again, I'm home, all the admin is on top of, and a few days of R&R have passed (which you definitely need after a Trade Show, I reckon!). Now I'm all for sharing the experience....

I managed to come up with a display design that would fit into a suitcase....these are the bags that carried everything on the train... toothbrush,clothes, cushions and all..quite impressed it all managed to squeeze in,but there was really no other option. I did not want to drive to London!

The journey was effortless and the exhibition centre was really easy to find. It was funny setting up with all the empty booths around and the workmen still fitting carpets and painting stands with only a few hours to go.....it seems there are some that take leaving things to the last minute to the extreme!

So my display idea was kind of "snow white" inspired ...you know when the birds and animals come fluttering in when you sing  a little song carrying gifts tied with ribbon!...tralalalala ;)

Thanks mum......she likes to catch me at my best angle :)

The finished display....

I was happy with the display (which isn't best shown by these pictures and the dodgy lighting)..and just seeing the photos I still want to burst into merry song! It felt good being there with my items getting shown to the world.

As for the Trade Fair itself , overall I would say it was good, and a great experience.

You would be right in sensing a little disappointment, as it turns out the Trade Fair wasn't hugely busy...which I guess I had gone with big expectations of (I mean it is London after all!).

Apparently exhibitors who have been attending Pulse over the last 5 years, said that it's been getting quieter every year and that this was the quietest show yet. ?? True or not, funnily enough this is something I have heard with every Trade Fair I've been to (from the exhibitors NOT the event organisers!)....Which leads me to think that either it's entirely my presence that is having the effect (eek!)....or what I'm more inclined to believe...that the way we are all buying things has changed completely. The boom of internet e-commerce shopping paying testament to that. 

Anyhoos its certainly got me thinking about whether I'll return to another trade fair..

I did get orders and a couple of amazing opportunities should they happen. (which I have also learned not to count on until it IS actually happening!)

However, the most worthwhile element for me,as with all the Trade Shows I've been to, is the people you meet and things you learn from them and the experience.

I had the loveliest neighbour for the 3 days while I was there,but I want to share her gorgeous goodies in another post, along with some of the other artists and their work I had the pleasure of meeting....come back for part 2.....!x

A birth of cushions!

I'm offski! Picture Dick Whittington heading off to London seeking his fortunes with a hanky on a stick and his cat, and you're half way there .... except it's a suitcase I carry and my mum for company!
I wanted to change up the vibes here even though my last post did end spectacularly on a HELL YEAH! (Which I must add...Thankyou so much for all the hell yeah hugs in reply! Made me smile  xx)
I'll also be away most of next week so consider this my blog post in advance.

I wanted to share the final items that are coming with me..the last of my "babies" which  have been gestating over the last 9 months!
They are all cushions...

and I have to say ALL my favourite (spoken like a true mother!).....

Fox!

You've seen the squirrel before.

Doe!

And big ol' Bear!

I'd done a little market research on facebook to determine whether "dangles" were a good idea or not.... in the end I reckoned  FUN  far outweighed practicality! I may however live to regret this as dangles are a pesky thing to sew...

Cuckoo!

Toadstool...

There's a red one too!

 And last but not least...Twin Peaks!

Hooray!

Finally they have made it out in to the world......I'm happy...so very happy indeed!x

Sharing...

I'm relishing the quiet that surrounds me right now, nothing but  birdsong...peaceful bliss!
I'm also finding it quite amusing that the first day we have had for weeks without sunshine meets the first day back to school! A gloomy day to match the kids' mood..how thoughtful of the weather :)

I thought I'd pop in and share the rest of the card designs I've created (some others can be seen here).

There have also been a couple of things that have popped into my inbox that I've thought "how great is that!"... and so wanted to share in case you may have missed them.

The first one is Andrea Schroeder's  "Lets give your dreams wings"  FREE e- course. Its a dip into the techniques and tips that she offers and is more than enough to get your dream up and on the road (and in a mere 10 minutes a day!). I've used Andrea's techniques for several years now and am a fully fledged member of her Creative Dream Circle. I love Andrea  and her work....some may find it a bit "out there", but if there is anything I have learned since starting this business journey of mine is.... growth requires doing the inner work, which for me was letting go of a crazy load of limiting beliefs and fears!

The next one on receiving, created the immediate response: "YES!.... How to write  the ultimate resume....
or ..... your "Really wild Bio"! I love the idea of a CV containing more than just the previous jobs worked/ qualifications gained... one that honours those moments and experiences in life that make you uniquely YOU, and highlight the unique and wonderful skills only YOU have! You can download a FREE copy that contains all the juicy ways to dig in and find out what your Wild Bio would contain here!
Seems so fitting at this time, when my eldest is at the stage of having to make subject choices at school , which to her feels like such a defining moment....I'm tempted to email the link to the school :)

So that's all I've got to share for now....all I have left to offer is a hug of the hairy variety...but I think that should suffice.... after all what better kind of hugs are there?! ;)x

Kitschy Stitches!

Just coming up for air before I dive back down again...... this part always catches me out...the run up to a Trade Fair and the long list of things to do! Trade Fairs always seem to fall just after a school holiday...which I NEVER remember to factor in when it comes to getting things done.
*Sigh*
Stu has been a master child entertainer while I have been expanding my own repertoire of skills....the beginning of the week saw me as " instruction booklet maker".....yesterday I was "in-house  photographer"....today I'm "machine sewing expert" and "PR guru"!  Still got to own and wear the "Display officianado" badge.....which is the bit I've been putting off most......You see I need to come up with a design to display and showcase my items that I can carry with me on the train in a suitcase! ......
I just KNOW I am going to regret leaving this one till the end!

Anyhoos, today I wanted to share some new embroidery kits I've added to the items I'm taking down to London..and soon to offer in my shop. I'm so happy with how they have turned out.... kitschy stitchery kits! 

These couldn't suit me more! I love embroidering but am hard pressed to find designs that a) are my kind of style and b) can be used/displayed in some way that would work in my home.

These kits come with a piece of fabric with a colourful design already printed on, and parts of the design left blank to be filled in with stitches.The end result is a co-created textured piece of wall art! Yes!

I hope you love them as much as I do!

So back to the multi tasking...best go do some child entertaining for a while....the walls are being climbed!x

Catch up!

Howdy! I just wanted to pop in and say hello, as it's all been very "Sewing- teachery" focused and not much chat at all. There is so much going on behind the scenes here that  finds me brimming with excitement and feeling all the worse for not being able to share it. (due to "sewing teachery" mode).
So I hope you will indulge me while I get it all out!


On the home front our  DIY jobs are coming along nicely and we look set to putting our house on the market by summer! (gulp did I just write that!) I have been painting walls like there is no tomorrow...and skirting boards and doors..and...and!
Its my youngest's birthday this week too, 6 years old. A marvellous age to be! And bless her cotton socks she finally relinquished her hanging-together-by-my-shoddy-darning woolly tights for some new ones (Miracle of miracles.) There is an Owl themed party happening this weekend (I have been instructed) and some "top hats" amongst other party delights to be made.
There's also a huge amount of plate juggling going on  with getting organised for London's design Trade Fair in May, and the whole new range of items I'll be taking. My heart and soul is going into these items which I would love to share in another post another time.....suffice to say I've been pushing and stretching myself in every way and am going out on a rather large limb.....but it feels FANTASTIC!....
especially when fabric rocks up on my doorstep with my designs printed on them. Love love LOVE.

I'm leaving it to the nth hour to create and introduce some new items that feature sewing too...deja vu of this time last year but thankfully no leather hard painted canvas to sew through..my fingers are feeling a lot perkier as a result!

A couple of my foxy prints actually made it onto the Pulse website which is a real honour....ok, granted if you blinked you'd miss them....but the prints are there none the less :)

You can see my little bit of blurb over on the exhibitor bit if you'd like a sneak preview of some items I'll be taking along..I'll be adding more soon.

I'll be back on Friday with more stitchery teachery-ness and a new bunting flag design...this week I'm looking at stitches to use for filling...a wee colourful sneaky peak below...

Really loving that acid yellow colour at the mo.....can you tell ;)

Hope you are gooooood wherever you are xx

A collection of love x

  I can't possibly start without sending out a heartfelt THANKYOU to those who left such dear comments (here and over on facebook), words of support and sweetness that celebrated my business birthday alongside me. It never fails to astound me, that a single individual has the capacity to fill another up with so much love and support...and this can be with someone we have never even met! I am so GRATEFUL. (insert very smiley face with a wee tear in the eye and holding a hankie!)
Maybe Cyril can say it better....here is a flower for you x

Love from Cyril

                

I'm not sure if you noticed, but I've turned the comment option back on too.
I had turned the comments off way back in the Summer as I was feeling bad about never replying to the lovely messages people had taken the time to leave. It was a time thing...not enough of it and having to use it wisely, which my polite upbringing struggled with. It was also to help create a bit of space for me to allow new things in , new style, new items, new approach, without outside influence.
Its a tricky thing this social media, or atleast I find anyways...that slight need for external validation..do they like this piece? Oh I've only got 1 comment this week, maybe this piece is not so good...and so on!

Anyhoos.....the reintroduction of comments for the giveaway (and then left on accidentally afterwards) has made me realise it's no fun being in a vacuum. Quite lonely in fact! Its not so much the comments that I missed but more the feeling that when I write a post someone somewhere will actually read it. Without the comment option I knew it was just for me and frankly I'm over that self indulgence! So if you ever feel like tinkling on those type keys, tinkle away....or not.  I'll feel delighted to know you are out there either way.

Side by side

So if I can draw breathe after this long ramble...I just wanted to share some of the new card designs that will be accompanying me to Pulse Trade Fair in May. These 3 are all about the love....

Beauty-FULL

Which I am sending out to you all tenfold xx

A song burst of celebration!

Its been 2 years today, two years since I left midwifery and became a self employed artist.
Just writing that feels pretty amazing.

New card design that's gone off to the printers.

                       
It's quite a feeling to remember the lead up to that date and the utter fear of failure (and being poor!) that surrounded it, and to be sitting here now knowing that everything has worked out beautifully so far.

I had a dream during the "fear" phase where I told myself to write down a list of all the miraculous things that have happened in my life ( I get the odd "prophetic" dream so am inclined to listen!) I'm grateful I did, because once I'd searched my memory for all the things that had occurred/ magically happened/ worked out in miraculous ways, I was overwhelmed with the proof that life really is set up for good things and that it conspires to have it all work out for us!
The "fear" phase left pretty swiftly after that.

There have been other phases of course...the "excited but really have no idea which direction where I'm going but I'll just keep creating and put my name down for a Trade Fair even though I don't know what I want to sell yet "phase. Surprisingly that worked out.

"Phase 1" 2012

Then there was the "blimey these stitched pieces seem to be going down well so I guess I'll sell them and go to a Trade Fair too" phase...that worked out also! 

"Phase 2" 2013

Now I find myself back at the Trade Fair scenario for year 3, but it's a new phase called the "realising winging it is maybe not the greatest business model, so having a little more purpose,clarity and direction is a good thing...and I'll launch my new work at Pulse Trade Fair 2014" phase. (or Phase 3!)
Hmmm feels like the best phase yet...and I'm kind of hoping the track record keeps its momentum ...that things works out too :)

I've never considered likening my business to the growth that we experience, but I'm realising that's precisely what my business and I have been experiencing together....birth, vulnerable and still developing, exploring/touching/tasting everything, first steps, starting to walk, learning as we go, making better decisions, maturing a little.....
I don't think we're much further than that....but not bad considering we're only 2!
And I have to say I'm so delighted and thankful to be here, because the prospect of the future and the rest of our growing together is really exciting, and so much BIGGER than what I could have imagined at the start of this journey 2 years ago.

So yes, I'm celebrating!
I also have to end by sharing the other phase I've entered , inspired by receiving not 1 but 2 of these diaries as crimbo pressies. (I did tell you I am "inclined to listen"!).....

Designed by Rachel Bright

The "becoming ruler of the universe and eating cake " phase (otherwise known as "Phase 4"). Oh yes! Consider yourselves duly warned ;)xx

Foxy love

I'm delighted to share with you a few new items I am unleashing to the world!
They've been a work in progress for some time, so it's a GREAT feeling to have them finally  put "out there".
I'm loving also how their release into the world coincides (kind of!) with valentines day.....so for a bit of fun I'm putting out a little "foxy lady" love with these...I mean if it's good enough for Jimi Hendrix it's good enough for me!

First thing I want to share is this cotton cushion with pom pom trim! It's a 2 sided design that's been digitally printed onto thick cotton fabric and sewn together by me.

Here is the other side of the cushion......so you can alternate between the 2 , depending on how much

fox you want in your life! You can find the cushion here in my etsy shop.

 You may remember the Fantastic Mr F I sketched a while back?...well I made a print of this sweet fellow to match the cushion..
 

..and turned the  foxy cushion design into a print too...matching set! Both are available here.


 Next comes these 2 sweet foxy prints that I originally created using acrylic paint,gouache  and pen. They come as a set of 2 small 7 x 5"  prints  with the black border or can be bought individually in regular A4 size.....love the boldness that comes from the limited colours used.

Amongst the foliage

Countryside Queen

I've been working on trying to take better photos of my items...somewhat a long way to go....! There have been so many comedic moments along the way which I'm very relieved no one else witnessed! I have to include the one below purely for that reason as I grappled with wind and wire and flying leaves. You will never know my pain ;) 

Each foxy item comes with a little foxy tag...as a special Valentines treat....everyone needs a little reminder of their true foxy-ness grrrr! :)xx