Petal Textiles

Personalised hoops

2011-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks I have actually managed to do some new work! It's a set of personalised name picture for children, presented in an embroidery hoop. Having had a boy I really wanted to make some things that were suitable for boys as my work had always been a little girly. I of course couldn't resist a girly flower option.

I'm really please with them , the rocket is my favourite. They'll be list in my shop soon.

Love Cushions

2011-11-16T07:14:00.001-08:00

I was fortunate enough to manage to have a couple of weeks maternity leave without a baby, the first week was spent sorting the house, cleaning etc... but the second week I managed to do lots and lots of making.

The cushions in our living room were gorgeous and were made by my mother in law when we moved in but the fabric had gone bobbley, they weren't easy to wash were past there best. So I decided to make some new ones. We had a lovely new multicoloured rug so I wasn't really limited to colour which was really nice. I made 5 of them and I'm really pleased. Think I'll be making some more soon and listing in my shop. I really like the contrast between the sensible brown fabric and patterned fabric.

A friend of mine got married in the summer so I made him some cushions too. i hope they liked them.

It's been a long time.

2011-11-13T02:18:00.000-08:00

I can't quite believe that I haven't blogged since March, but its certainly been a busy few months. I had a baby in May and before that we were busy trying to sort out the house for our new arrival. Isaac is now almost 6 months old, he is wonderful, but unfortunately is a bit of a party animal, so doesn't sleep much, day or night, so I haven't been having much spare time or energy, but I don't think any mums do.

I am trying to start doing a bit more crafting again. I did my first craft fair in almost a year yesterday and I have just started listing things in my folksy shop and taken it out of holiday mode. I have made a few new things, but need to take some photo's. So hopefully I'll get round to blogging at least once a week and start showing you what I've been up to. But in the meantime here's a couple of photo's of my best ever creation!

Crafty meet up's

2011-03-24T03:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I met up with some crafty friends, who I hadn't seeen for a long time. I always find it really inspring to chat to other creative folk and hear what they have been up to. It is also useful to hear how they are moving their creative businesses forward and to hear their plans, especially as they are much more established than I am.

I also got a sneeky look at some new work. I love looking through people's sketch book and find it fasinating to see work in progress and hear how the artist is planning to develop their ideas. I saw some great stuff last night and I can't wait to see their finished work.

Unfortuantley I had nothing to show as I have not really done anything for months. But I did leave feel inspired to get my sketch book out and work on something new!

Plans and Frustration

2011-03-15T04:19:00.000-07:00

I feel a bit of a frustrated crafter at the moment. My day job has calmed down for a few weeks, so I am finding myself day dreaming (and doodling) about all the things I would like to make. But then not having the time or space to do anything about it. I have not felt particually creative this year, so its nice that the ideas are finally coming. Most of my craft day dreaming involves making new things for the house, as its in the processs of being completely redecorated it would be nice to have some new things around the place.

I also need to have a big listing session in my Folksy shop, as I have a lot of new products waiting to be listed, but I need to take some new photo's first. And then its time to make some new things to sell. It would be lovely to develop a new range, but not quite sure what direction to go down. I really enjoyed working on my Pebble range last year and have had lots of very positive feedback, however this hasn't really transferred into sales. Ummm I have a lot to do, time to write a list!

Window Shopping

2011-03-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Work has finally started on our house, which is a massive relief after waiting 3 months since our burst pipe for work to start. But its a bit daunting as you never quite know what you are going to find when you get home. I am hoping that most of the messy plastering stuff should be finished this week and then they will move onto decorating.

I just can't wait to see it finished and to have my house back. The hardest thing at the moment is storage as most of the rooms have been effected its quite difficult to clear out every room and find somewhere to put everything.

I am desperate to have some creative time and really want to make some new things for our newly refurbished house, but sadly due to lack storage I don't think I will be able to find a space to work in for a few weeks. But I might go shopping for curtain material for our bedroom tomorrow, just need to decide on a colour scheme first.

So in the meantime I have been doing a bit of window shopping, so here are some beautiful things I would love for my new house. (I think I need a lottery win!)

This illustration by the very lovely Sue Bulmer would look great in my kitchen, I also love her range of tea related illustrations.

I am a big fan of lino printing and this is one of my favourite Folksy shops. This print is by Zebedee Lino Print by Zoe Badger, she has so many gorgeous designs it was a bit of a struggle to decide which one to show.

I've been a fan of Lush Designs for a few years now and one of their red fox lampshades takes pride of place in my dining room. I am loving their cream lampshade designs, its a bit more subtle than the one I have. In fact I love all of their range, especially these vegetable napkins.

I have loved these bird by Hannah Turner Ceramics for a while now and I think 3 or 4 on shelf would look lovely on a shelf in my living room.

Slack time.

2011-02-26T05:51:00.000-08:00

I can't believe its been nearly a month since my last post, very slack indeed. But things have been really busy, especially in my day job and weekends have been pretty full too. I am also finding I need a bit more rest so when I do get some free I try and put my feet up and relax, when normally this is when I would be making things. Its quite hard to write what is meant to be a creative blog, when you are not doing much creating!

But I have been doing bits and bobs, but mainly as a way of relaxing. I have been busy embroidering some curtains for the babies room, they are not finished yet, but here is a peak and I have just started knitting another blanket.

I am hoping that I will get a bit more time to myself in the next couple of months, as I would really love a big creative session, as I do have several idea's I want to explore and several things I want to make for the house, but we'll see.

Winter knitting

2011-02-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say I am much of a knitter, in fact I have only been able to do it for a few years, but I I do really enjoy it. Especially when its something simple that doesn't require too much concentration. There is also something about winter that makes knitting even more appealing and comforting.

I have just finished making this blanket for the baby, I am really please with it. We don't know what we are having, so it needed to be neutral, but as a fan of bright colours, I didn't want to go down the green, yellow and cream route. So its a bit of the bright side. But I enjoyed making it and think I may even make another one.

Giraffe Houlier

2011-01-24T08:11:00.000-08:00

My lovely friend Emma came round the other day for a much overdue craft afternoon. It always makes a nice change making things with someone else as you get to have a good chat as well as discuss ideas and ask advice. I think we both had a good afternoon and I made a start on some appliqué curtains.

But Emma also brought along this wonderful Cloth Kits Giraffe that she has made for the baby. He is fantastic and is now sitting in our living room, as it doesn't seem right to banish him upstairs. We have named him Giraffe Houlier.

Darkness

2011-01-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed I am really struggling with this blogging lark at the moment, hence the lack of posts. I haven't been very productive lately, but its not even that, I just never seem to get round to taking photo's at the weekend and then its too dark the rest of the week. I know I prefer looking at blogs with loads of images and always try to include lots of photo's, but its just so hard over the winter months. I do actually have a list of things I want to blog about.

I perhaps need to make myself take some photo's every Saturday morning, rather than doing it Sunday afternoon and leaving it too late.

Anyway here is a birthday card I made for a friend. I really like making these and its nice to do something a bit more special for a big birthday. (Sorry about the photo, taken in the dark!)

Nesting

2011-01-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

Is it too early to start nesting? I am sure these feelings have more to do with our damp and mouldy house and impending chaos that is going to be caused by the weeks of repair work and wanting to live somewhere nice. But I certainly have a bit of nesting going on (not that I can do much about it yet).

(I got this beautiful Hannah Nunn lamp for Christmas, I love it and brightens up my rather sparse living room)

I have spent any spare time over the last few weeks having a good sort out, this started from having to clear, clean sort and dry lots of damp cupboards, but I have now moved onto to other areas of the house. It does feel great to have a good clear out and was certainly much needed.

I am like many of you a bit of hoarder. I don't like throwing things away as it might be useful or I may be able to make something with it one day, but in reality I very rarely use these things. So I have been harsh with myself and only kept things I know I will use. I may regret this in a few months, but right not it feels good to have less stuff.

Once I have finished sorting through everything I am going to start making some things for our newly decorated house. I have quite a long list of things I would like to make, but I am sure it will be fun and will hopefully help me save some money. I made this cushion last year and I think I might make some more.

Although I do have my eye on this for the baby's room.

We are very lucky, as we have left starting a family quite late, most of our friends and family have already done it, so we seem to be getting lots offers of baby things, so I am hoping that initially won't need to buy too much, so maybe I can justify the beautiful rocking chair. We'll see!

Very exciting news

2011-01-07T01:58:00.000-08:00

I have some very exiting news, it also explains my lack of activity and constantly being 'under the weather' for the last few months. I'm pregnant!!!!! Baby is due in the middle of May. We had our 21 week scan yesterday and everything seemed normal, which is such a relief. I have been a little worried and cautious about everything, so it was nice to feel really excited for the first time yesterday, but I am still crossing my fingers.

I think its going to be an interesting few months leading up to May, with various challenges, including repairing the house following our burst pipe before Christmas. Apparently building work will take between 4 - 6 weeks and that's after it has dried out! My partner works in the voluntary sector, so he may facing redundancy as there doesn't seem to be much funding available and I'll be going on maternity leave in the middle of the busiest period in my job. So I think its going to be a busy and interesting few months, but I am determined to remain relaxed and calm about everything.

I'm not quite such what all of this will mean for Petal Textiles, I think I will try and let things tick along, but don't think I will be moving things forward too much as I don't want to add to my work load or stresses. So I think maybe I might try and have more of a relaxed approach over the next few months and just enjoy making things and not worry too much about sales and dvelopment. I am currently in the process of knitting a baby blanket, I am not the best knitter, so something simple like a blanket suits be down to the ground, but I must say I am enjoying it and finding it very relaxing. I am also planning to make the baby some curtains and perhaps do some new pictures for our living room once it has been decorated.

So all in all its going to be exciting if a little scary year for us, roll on May!!

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and 2011 is a great year for you. Sorry about the Christmas Photo's, but never quite got round to doing a Christmas post! Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their support during 2010, people's lovely comments and encouragement means a lot!

I wouldn't say 2010 was a terrible year, some wonderful things have happened. But it was certainly one of the more challenging years, so I think I can say I am quite glad to leave it behind.

This time last year I wrote a list of things I wanted to achieve throughout the year, I haven't dared looked back at the list as I have a feeling a haven't done anything I said I would, but I am not going to beat myself up about it too much. It was just one of those years were Petal Textiles had to take a back seat. But having said that although I didn't really achieve any of the goals set, I am really pleased with the way my work has developed and think what I am producing has improved alot over the year.

So 2011! Seeing as I didn't achieve any of the goals set last year, I think its best I don't set any this year and just see what happens. I have some very exciting things planned, which I hope to tell you all about soon, this will probably mean its not a very productive year, but that's fine. I think right now I just want to enjoy making things.

Where's my festive feeling?

2010-12-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'm normally a big fan of Christmas, I love the lights, the food, the decorations, seeing family and friends, having time to do some cooking, eating and drinking too much and the list could go on and on. But this year I just want to curl up on my sofa and sleep and not have any contact with the world for a least a week!! So I suppose I am still looking forward to it, but in my own way.

I started off the month feeling very festive and had some big festive plans. But then we had the burst pipe and then last week I was ill up with some kind of stomach bug and only had my first proper meal in 6 days last night. Its all kind of killed my festive feeling. I am sure when I finish work tomorrow I will rediscover some of my missing festive feeling, and I think I need to plan some things to get me in the mood. But at the moment its well and truly gone.

Pipes

2010-12-13T03:56:00.000-08:00

I had big plans for last week. I was hoping to take lots of product shots and list them on Folksy (better late then never), I was going to do a Christmas Giveaway and was generally going to get myself sorted and organised.

Unfortunately things went pear shaped again on Wednesday. We got a call from our lovely neighbour saying there was water pouring out of our roof. We got home to find some of the kitchen ceiling on the floor, water pouring into the living room and general the house in very wet chaos.

After contacting about 8 plumbers we managed to get hold of someone who could come round. It turned out to be a bust pipe. The plumber was really puzzled why it had happened as our pipes are lagged and the heating had been on a lot and nothing else seemed to be frozen.

So then the clean up began. Every room bar one was effected to various degree's so we called in back up in the form of my wonderful mum and dad.

The spare room got the worst of it, we had to pull up the carpet as it was completely soaking and the fitted wardrobe got a good soaking, all the wood has split or swollen and none of the doors will close. Unfortunately the wardrobe contained our entire selection of clothes, shoes, towels bedding etc... and almost everything got a good soaking. So I am currently working through about 20 bin bags of washing and my mum took several back with her too (bless her). All my shoes were full of water and I currently only have one dry pair. They are so wet I can't see them ever drying.

Some of the ceiling came down in the kitchen and water got into every kitchen cupboard and draw so everything has to be cleaned.

We were quite lucky in the living room as we have varnished hard wood floors and leather sofa's so have been able to cleaning up most of the mess, things are still drying out, but it doesn't seem too bad considering.

After a few days of hard work cleaning up, things aren't looking too bad (especially considering the amount of water we had pouring into the house). We are both trying to look on the positive side and things could have been much worse. I am still working my way through a massive pile of washing and things are a bit damp. We still have some things to sort, but we are getting there. I think most of the house will need redecorating, carpets and rugs replacing etc... so it will be a while before we are back to normal, but it just one of those of things.

Now I have the fun task of sorting out insurance, which is already proving very stressful and so far I am very disappointed with the service I am getting from the building insurance and I think it may be a hard slog to get anything sorted. Having said that the contents people seem much better.

I am just hoping to next cold spell doesn't last too long as I am so scared of it happening again!

Another strange one

2010-12-06T01:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend I shared a stall with Pinnikity at the Contemporary Craft Fair at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre. After a very disappointing fair the weekend before we were both hoping this would be a good one. But unfortunately sales were few and far between, we both sold a few things, but only really enough to cover costs, which was a bit disappointing.

Having said all of that in many ways it was a really good event. It was really well organised. (My day job is an events producer, so I do like and appreciate a well organised event!). The booking procedure, regular updates throughout the year, exhibitor manual sent out before the event, were all really good. Then onsite there were people directing you to loading bays, where there were trolleys available and exhibitor parking was close by, all of this made setting up and taking down really easy. All the stands were clearly labelled, and room plans were available at the door so you could see where to go. The organisers had also done a really good job with getting visitors, it was really busy, especially in the morning, but was it got a bit quiet in the afternoon. So I really can't fault the event itself. Its just shame people didn't seem to be spending any money. Many other stall holders were saying the same thing.

So that's all my Christmas Fairs done for the year. I think next year I will be choosing what I do more carefully and may just do a couple of smaller local fairs, as its easier the cover cost and doesn't matter so much if you don't so well. I also hope that by next year, people may be happier to get their purses out again, but that seem unlikely.

Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience

2010-12-03T01:25:00.000-08:00

On Sunday (5th December) I am sharing a stall with Pinnikity at the Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience, at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

I am really looking forward to this event and have my fingers crossed that its going to be better than last weekend. All the stalls are selling handmade goodies and I believe there are around 100 makers attending. The organisers have tried to get a good mix of crafts and looking at the website there seems to be a really nice selection. Sounds like it may be a great place for some more Christmas shopping. I am just hoping that its not effected by the weather too much.

Here is a photo of my snowy garden, not bad for city snow!

Hot Spicy Apple Juice

2010-12-02T03:43:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all your lovely comments about my craft fair 'experience' at the weekend, really appreciate everyone's encouragement and its really helpful to hear other experiences.

Another success story from the weekend, was Hot Spicy Apple Juice. I spend Saturday looking rather longingly at people drinking mulled wine. And thought it would be great to have a non alcoholic version. So on Saturday night I went home and made some Hot Spicy Apple Juice, it was loosely based on a recipe for mulled cider by Sarah Raven, which is also very yummy.

The recipe is roughly as follows:

Hot Spicy Apple Juice

2 litres of apple juice.

2 apples, sliced

2 oranges sliced

Lemon zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 cinnamon sticks

10 cloves

About 2 tables spoons of brown sugar, you may want to do this taste.

1 tsp of mixed spice.

Bung everything in a large pan and gently simmer for an hour, then drain and drink. I re-heated the next morning and put in a flask and it was great.

I think this may become my tipple this Christmas.

More about the weekend....

2010-11-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some more photo's from the weekend. Our stall was in a stable, so we were fairly limited to space, although I think we managed to make the most of what we had. It got a bit busy when people were looking, so we had to lurk nearby and this meant standing all day.

I have wondered if people may have looked or brought more if they didn't have to walk into the stall, I suppose its easier to casually browse at a table, but I doubt it made that much difference.

Here is Pinnikity's version of events!

I suppose the good news is I don't need to make anything for the fair this weekend, (although if I get time I may make a couple more hot water bottles, but waiting for a fibre delivery first). This means I can start thinking about making some things for Christmas or for me, which is quite nice. First project will be making my niece a Christmas stocking for her first Christmas, which I

am hoping she can keep for a few years.

I also need to find some time in daylight to take some product photo's, I have lots of draught excluders, door stops, Christmas cards, tea cosies etc... to list. I think its maybe a bit late for Christmas, but seems silly not to list them.

The curse of the craft fair continues.....

2010-11-29T01:36:00.000-08:00

This weekend I shared a stall with my friend Nikki at the craft fair at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. I try not to go to a craft fair with too many expectations as you never quite know how the day is going to go. But I think I was fairly hopefully that it was going to be a good one, as it was at a National Trust property, last year they had over 5,000 visitors, the stall fee was much more than I would normally pay, it was a two day event and its Christmas shopping time. So I think I was hoping we would do ok.

We woke up on Saturday to snow, although I am a fan of snow and still get excited by it, I wished it could have waited a few days. We managed to get to Kedleston Hall without too many problems although we did have a little incident trying to turn round in front of the hall and got a little stuck. But the hall and grounds looked beautiful and it all felt very christmassy.

Our stall was in the stable block and although it was very cold at least we weren't outside like some people. Saturday seemed very quiet, but I still sold a few a bits. I presume the snow put quite a few people off. So we went home on Saturday trying to remain positive and hoping Sunday would be better. When we arrived on Sunday and were relived to see that the roads were much better. But Sunday was so strange, its was really busy, but only sold one thing! I know many of the other stall holders were having similar experiences, but that doesn't really help.

I am experienced enough to know that not every craft fair will be a success, but I was thoroughly disappointed and it does make you questions your products, packaging, how you have displayed everything and if you are actually good enough.

But on a more positive note, I was really happy with our stall and personally thought it looked great and I had a really good laugh and it was lovely spending a weekend with a friend I don't get to see too much. So it wasn't all bad!

I have also been thinking maybe I need to choose the fairs that I do more carefully, but until you do it you never know what its going to be like, but I think in future I will try and stick to more contemporary fairs, where everything on sale is handmade. It does bug me when something is described as a craft fair, but half the things on sale are not handmade or have been brought it (there was someone selling Cath Kidston products!)

We're doing another one on the Sunday 5th December at the Warwick Exhibition Centre, I'm trying to go with limited expectation, but I have my fingers crossed that it will be a better experience for both of us, I think we both need a bit of a boost.

*I have some better stall photo's which I will show later in the week, these were just taken on my phone.

2010-11-26T05:07:00.000-08:00

I feel exhausted today, its the first time in about a month that I have done a full week at work and I'm just not used to it! Its our quiet time of year, which always seems to make me feel more tired and makes the days go slow.

But on a positive note I am starting to feel more myself and really in the mood to get creating (better late than never!). I have made some Christmas Cards this week, which you can see a sneeky peak of here. I have 6 designs and they are mounted on brown recycled cards, I hope to take some photo's at the weekend.

I feel a bit late with everything this year, I have loads of things I want to photograph and put in my Folksy shop, but feel I have probably missed the boat for this Christmas. Oh well its just been one of those years, must try harder next year!

Kedleston Hall Christmas Craft Fair

17 & 28 November - 11am - 3pm

I am sharing a stall with Pinnikity this weekend, we're in the stable block so I'll be wrapping up warm, but I am really looking forward to it. Come and say hello if your in the area.

Enjoy an opportunity to buy Christmas presents with a difference with a selection of Craft stalls from around Derbyshire located in our stable yard and Caesars Hall. Listen to traditional barrel organ playing Christmas tunes and see crafts being made. Free bus service from Derby bus station every hour leaving at 10:30,11:30,12:30 & 13:30. Return bus service from Kedleston Hall leaving at 12:00,13:00,14:00,15:00 & 16:00.

Doomed

2010-11-23T05:44:00.000-08:00

I seem to be doomed with craft fairs this year. Was meant to be doing one at the weekend, but unfortunately I had to pull out at the last minute. I was absolutely gutted as its normally a really good one and a good laugh too, but sometimes real life has to take priority and this was one of those times.

I am doing another fair this weekend and am keeping my fingers crossed that I not only make it, that I also sell some things too!

With a bit of luck you will find me at The Craft Fair at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November, if open between 11am - 3pm. You can find out more about it here. I am sharing a stall with Pinnikity, who makes gorgeous aprons, amongst other things, we'll be in the stable block.

Sherwood Contemporary Craft Makers Market

2010-11-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

At the moment I am busy preparing for for The Sherwood Contemporary Craft Makers Market. I feel a little under prepared due to one thing and another, but I am hoping things will come together.

Its being held on Saturday 20th November at The Place in Sherwood, Nottingham, which is just off Mansfield Road and is open 10am - 4pm. Its a really good fair with a great selection of local makers and is always good fun and nice to catch up with some other makers who I haven't seen for a while. So if you are in the area pop by, its a great place for some Christmas Shopping.

One Style

2010-11-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

I know now is not the time to think about the direction of my work too much. But it has been playing on my mind slightly, that I may have quite a random selection of work when I display everything together at my first craft fair of the season in a couple of weeks.

I think I can currently slot my work into 3 'collections' Pebbles, Felt Flowers and then my appliqué pieces. I suppose I am just not sure they all work fit together and look like they are made by the same person. Is this even that important? I am also not sure if I should display collections together or mix everything up?

To be honest I think I probably just need to have a play and see what looks best and not worry about it, but sometimes I think it would be nice to have just one style, but then I would probably get bored!

At last something to see

2010-11-01T02:52:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to say that this weekend I actually made some things. I probably didn't get as much done as I had hoped, but I am still fairly pleased and it felt good to be creating again.

I started off on Saturday with a felt making session. The felt will eventually turn into hotwater bottle covers. I love feltmaking but it always takes longer than you think, so I need to have another good session or two.

I then finished up a batch of tea cosies, followed by starting some door stops, which are similar to my draft excluder's (thanks for Ellie at From the Wilde for the idea), they are not quite finished yet, but are very cute.

My first fair is on the 20 November, at The Place in Sherwood, Nottingham, it has a wonderful selection of local makers and is always really enjoyable. I just need some more making sessions first!

Organised

2010-10-28T06:44:00.001-07:00

I actually managed to spend an hour on my sewing machine last night. It may not sound like much, but at the moment this is a major achievement! I enjoyed it too.

I am trying to be more organised and to have more of a system to the way I work, I am hoping this will save a bit of time. So the other day I spend some time cutting out work, I cut out about 10 tea cosies and 10 door stops. I started to add machine embroidery yesterday and after that they will be sewn together. I can see why it makes sense to work like this, as it does defiantly save time, but its perhaps not the most satisfying way to work as it takes much longer to see finished pieces.

Somehow I have managed to re-claim this weekend, so I no longer have any plans. So I am hoping to have a really good sewing session. I know with the fast approaching Christmas craft fair season I need to get moving and I am sure a couple of good session will make me feel better about everything and help find my missing productivity.

I also promise to take some new photo's at the weekend.

GNCCF

2010-10-25T01:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend I met up with some friends in Manchester and went to Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. I really enjoyed it and it was lovely to be able to have a good look around. The fair was huge and we were all exhausted at the end, too much eye candy for one session!

These were some of my favourite things:

Lynsey Walters -I love her bright wool jewellery, I was very tempted to buy something, but just couldn't decide what I liked best as its all so gorgeous.

Sarah Thirlwell - I loved these vases, they looked so beautiful with the light behind them.

Maxine Sutton - I really liked the combination of print and embroidery with bold colours.

Ruth Green - Lovely illustrations and print. Have put a link to her NOTHS shop as I couldn't seem to get onto her website. She has so many lovely prints.

There were loads of other beautiful things by some wonderful makers, (too many to list, so maybe I will do a part 2).

So it was a lovely weekend and great to catch up with some friends who I sadly don't see as often as I would like, but another weekend has gone by without me making a thing. I really need to pull myself together and get making and I am seriously running out of time now! Eeek!

Struggling

2010-10-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

I am really struggling at the moment, I have been feeling a bit under the weather and very tired, so where I would normally be coming home from work and spend a few hours making things I just don't seem to have the energy at the moment. I am very conscious that its not long until my first craft fair of the Christmas season, so I had hoped to get lots done this weekend, as I think it was my last free weekend until the middle of December. But a combination of no energy, lots of house stuff to do and visitors, meant I just didn't get round to it.

So I am starting to worry slightly now. Normally this is good, as I seem to produce more under pressure and I will do simple things, like do an hour before work and take some sewing to do during my lunch, but I just don't seem to have the energy. I am thinking I may see if I have any holiday left and take a couple of days off. I am sure when I get started things will start to flow and I will probably feel much better, but right now my perfect day off would be to curl up in bed and sleep all day!

Just Wrong

2010-10-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am currently on day of 9 of working 12 days without a day off, not that I am counting and today I am feeling very tired. I have been working long hours staying in a horrible hotel for a few days, I like my own bed!! But I am so looking forward to to weekend and hope to get lots of sewing done. It feel likes ages since I have made some andI can't wait to get started.

A few weeks ago I decided to have a go at making some stitch and burn Christmas decorations. I really enjoying making my brooches and hoped that would transfer well to decorations. Sadly I was wrong! I am not sure if its just the colours or something more, they also took ages as well. So I think this idea is going to be put away for this year, but I may try again next year as I think it could work.

No idea

2010-09-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

I was asked today by someone when my Christmas cards will be finished as her sister in Australia wants some! That is of course great, but also makes me go eeek!

I have been really struggling with ideas for Christmas Cards this year. I am working on some felt tree's similar to the decoratutions I have made, I have a pile made up and they just need attaching to cards and deciding if they need some kind of back ground.

But I also like to make Christmas cards that are quicker to produce, as I think people don't tent to spend as much on Christmas cards as they do on normal cards, so I like to do some more costs effective options as my felt christmas tree's do take a while to make.

The last few years this has involved lino printed cards and printed cards based on some of my illustrations. I try and do something different each year, but this year I am struggling I am sure something will come to me and normally a little pressure helps.

Standard Lamp

2010-09-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

For a while I have been looking for a traditional style wooden standard lamp. I live in a 1930's house and have a wood panelled hall way featuring some gorgeous flying ducks, so I thought it would look good.

I finally found one in a charity shop the other week and swiftly set about re-vamping the shade. I choose some gorgeous Anna Marie Horner fabric (Baby Bouquet Meadow) from her Little Folks Collections. Its a lovely soft fabric and think I will be getting some more as it feels so nice and is probably slightly wasted on a lampshade.

As the fabric is quite thin I decided to keep the fabric of the original white shade and cover over it. I created a template of one of the shade panels, then cut out the 8 fabric panels with a 1cm or so seam allowance and then sewed them all together.

I then got my trusty glue gun and glue the top and bottom of the cover to the shade. I then attached turquoise ribbon to the top, turquoise pom pom fringe to the bottom and added a flower.

I must say it was surprisingly easy and it all fitted together really well. I don't get chance to make things for myself very often, so its a nice feeling when I do,

Production Line

2010-09-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its almost October already, its so scary as I am running out of weekends before Christmas fair season, so this weekend, I started a bit of a draught excluder can't believe its almost October already, its so scary as I am running out of weekends before Christmas fair season, so this weekend, I started a bit of a draught excluder production line. I wasn't sure if I should make any of these, as they don't really go with my new work, but they were my biggest seller last years and they are fun to make, so I thought why not. I now have this pile waiting to be stuffed and to have eyes added. I can't wait to see them all together.

From The Wilde

2010-09-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

I have some very exciting news. I am now selling some of my work through From The Wilde. If you have not seen this site you should certainly check it out as its full of some wonderful things and I feel really proud to be part of something so lovely.

I only have a few items listed at the moment as I am still working on my photo's, but I hope this will be added to over the next week or so. Here is the link to my work.

My Dream Dress

2010-09-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of Orla Kiely, I love her prints and I am lucky enough to own a few of bits. I should really stop looking at her website as its too much temptation, but the other day I saw this dress and have fallen completely in love with it. Its absolutely gorgeous. I could never afford it, but if I win the lottery this weekend, I'm getting one!!

http://www.orlakiely.com/uk.cfm/Clothing/AW10%20Dresses/10AWFLV744/14609/Grey/14

Gotta speed it up and then slow it down

2010-09-21T03:08:00.000-07:00

After a really productive few weeks, things have slowed up again. This is mostly due to life getting in the way and being busy with other things. But this week I am determined to get productive again and start getting some stock together ready for Christmas Fairs etc..

I have also signed up to sell with two online shops, but I will tell you more about this soon as nothing has been listed yet. First I need to take some better photographs of some of my work.

I know I have mentioned before that this is something I struggle with, but at the moment I have hit a bit of a brick wall and can't seem to get the type of shots I want. Part of this is whenever I seem to have some time available, its always too dark and the photo's are rubbish. Then its the setting. I ideally want some lifestyle type shots, so want to take photo's of my cushions in situation. I am finding this a bit tricky as all my chairs seem to be too light or dark or patterned, or not against a plain way and I can't seem to find the right place in my house. I am also struggling with making the cushion the main focus, but still having it in a setting. So I need to have yet another try, so I am hoping for early evening sunshine this week!

And on a rather exciting note, I have been featured on this lovely blog. http://charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com

A collection

2010-09-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

I have been working really hard over the past month or so to produce a range of items for my Pebble Range. I feel like I have finally got enough things together, although I think it will be added to over the next few weeks.

Its been an interesting experience, as I wanted to create pieces that I could re-produce and make several of. Up until now most of my work has been one off pieces, which although is good, does steer you down a certain route. It has meant I have had to look at material slightly differently, normally I just have a rummage through what I have and make something using the fabric or colours that take my eye. But its been a good!

Hand embroidery

2010-09-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

I love hand embroidery, there is something really relaxing and satisfying about it. I love that you can curl up on the sofa and watch telly whilst doing it. So its great to have some hand sewing on the go, especially when most of my work at the moment is machine embroidery based, it nice to escape from that. Plus I am not very good a sitting sill unless I am doing something, so hand embroidery is perfect.

So in my bid to be more organised and to get ready for the Christmas Fairs I am doing, I have started making some felt Christmas tree decorations. I have really enjoyed making these as I get to choose lots of bright colours and add buttons and patterns. I am now starting to make cards in a similar style.

September

2010-09-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its September already. Not sure where this year has gone. I had hoped that by September, I would have my work in more places, I would have more new work finished and would have a plan of what I need to make for the next few months. But sadly I am a little behind and I feel like September has well and truly crept up on me.

I do have several exciting things in the pipeline, which I hope to share soon, and I do have some Christmas fairs booked, so I suppose I haven't done too badly.

I think I need to write a big to do list and I perhaps need to set myself some goals. Although that never normally works as things always take much longer than you think. I also like going with my moods, rather than forcing myself to sew, when I want to make felt! But basically I think its time to get into production line mode!

Two colours

2010-09-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy week this week, but sadly not very creative, work has been really busy, which is good as time goes quicker and would much rather be busy, but has meant I haven't had chance to do some of things I some times do at quiet moments.

Evenings have been taken up with stuff too, so haven't made anything this week.

Went to see the Low Anthem on Wednesday, they were great, I love going to gigs, but it been ages. Going to see Black Mountain in a couple of weeks as well. Very exciting.

But I have made some progress this, like stocking up on fabric, cushions pads, wadding and felting fibres and sketching out some new ideas for more cushions and hot water bottle covers. Although I am fairly pleased with the cushions I have made, I think some of them lack something. Maybe I am just not used to only using two colours, I often use as many as possible, but perhaps its a less is more thing. Maybe some of them look a bit flat. Not sure what it is, but its fine as I have loads of new ideas. I just need some time to make them, hopefully I will get more time next week.

Cosy Pebbles

2010-08-31T02:47:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic weekend, as I got to spend two days making things and still managed to spend a day with my fella. Perfect, I love bank holidays, if only I could have 3 days off every week.

I have been busy making more things for my Pebble collection, I have loads of ideas, so its been really easy to get stuck in and make.

My main problem at the weekend was running out of materials, I am now completely out of white felting fibres, wadding and organic cotton and could do with stocking up, again!

I am really pleased with what I have been making and have loads more ideas to develop. I think my main problem is my photo's, it always seems to be dull when I am ready to take photo's, so I think I need to re-take some of these.

In fact I have a big box of work that needs to be photographed and then listed on Folksy.

Favourite thing to make

2010-08-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

I completed this new felt flower picture at the weekend. Its been a while since I made one of these in this size, (its a little bigger than normal) but as always I had a very nice time making it. I think they are my favourite things to make. I completed it on Saturday and took it straight down to Get Made (along with lots of other things).

Get made is Nottingham Craft Mafia's shop which is on St James Street. Its been closed for a few weeks while its been decorated and has opened again this week and it looks amazing and has loads new and exiting things in there. The opening hours have change and its now open 6 days a week. I believe its Monday - Saturday 11:30 - 4:30pm.

Sew weekender

2010-08-23T04:32:00.001-07:00

I had another fairly productive weekend, but they are just not long enough. I find I am just getting into a flow and its Sunday night again, would love to be able to spend more time making things, but that just not possible. (Sorry trying not to make this another rant about time.) For various reasons I am not really enjoying my proper job at the moment, so I don't think that helps, as I seem to spend the whole week day dreaming about doing other things. I am sure it will get better soon and I have been through similar moments before and I know I am lucky to have a job, so not really moaning, honest!

Anyway I did some more work on my Pebble Range. Didn't produce quite as much as I had hoped, but I completed another cushion. This is made from gorgeous hand woven organic fabric, I felt that kind of suited the organic nature of this range and I love the colour/ Really pleased with it, but the embroidery on the front took ages, but I think its worth it. Going to make some more incorporating handmade felt as I really like the pebble embroidery on the felt.

I also made pebble tea cosy mark two and I am really happy with it and think now I have worked out the best way of doing this will be able to make a few quite quickly. Again I want to make some using handmade felt.

I started to embroidery this piece, again using handmade felt, but this time with some colour added, but ran out of grey thread, doh! I really like it and I'm going to make some more like this, I am thinking I could also adapt slightly for cards.

I think this week I need to have a felting session after work, so I have lots of felt ready sewing at the weekend. I have recently been felting and then putting the felt into the washing machine to finish off. I really like the effect as it makes it more textured, it also makes the felt more sturdy, which when producing items like cushions and tea cosies is definitely a good thing. The negative side, is that its really hard to make large pieces using this method and I am getting through my felting fibres like there is no tomorrow. So roll on the weekend and another sewing session.

Sorry for the strange placing of the photo's, blogger seems to crash every time I move something, so I gave up.

Time for Tea

2010-08-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

I made these tea cosies a couple of weeks ago now. I wanted to do something with the felt tree's I had made.

I kind of really like them, but to be honest they were a right pain to make and really time consuming, neither of these of good enough quality to sell either.

So I don't think I will be making any more, as the time spent making them, versus the how much I can charge for them just doesn't add up. But thought I would show them anyway as they are nice and bright and its a very grey day!

More pebbles

2010-08-17T06:24:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find time to develop my Pebble range a bit more, I have loads of ideas and have been busy sketching and developing ideas on paper, but what I really need is a few days sat at my sewing machine.

I made this tea cosy sample at the weekend, fairly happy with it, but there is quite a bit I will be changing.

I have also been trying out my pebble design on various fabrics, including handmade felt which has then been put into the washing machine for extra textures and bobbly effect. Really please with this, but as this shrinks the felt it could be a very time consuming and expensive way of going about things.

I have also been trying out linen as I think it might be better to embroider pebbles directly onto a fabric rather than onto handmade felt and then attaching the felt to something. Today I have treated myself to some beautiful organic linen fabric in some very gorgeous mutted tones.

In my real job I was sent a sample of padding PCV, or 'Pleather' as we call if (Plastic leather), I really like the way this has turned out and really like the contrast of textures. But not sure if wipe clean fabrics (especially cushions) is the market I am going for!!

So the plan is to continue making some product samples over the next week or so and hopefully I will then have a small range, which I can continue to develop.

Craft Fair

2010-08-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

I did my first craft fair of the year on Saturday, luckily I went with very low expectations. I knew due the location and time of year its wasn't going to be great, but as I haven't done one for so long I wanted something to ease me back into it. I had a nice day and met lots of lovely people and it was really useful setting up my stall again. But didn't even cover my stall fee!! oops!

My stall was next to Dave from The No Such Disco, check out his lovely Folksy shop. http://www.folksy.com/shops/thenosuchdisco , I did buy one of his books for my god daughter Molly, I am sure she will love it. I also got to meet some other lovely Folksy people.

There were some good stalls, but without meaning to sound nasty, some not what you would call contemporary crafts and were a bit more hobby craft. I also wouldn't describe some of them as handmade, but then some of these stalls seems to be doing much better than I was, so there you go. I perhaps just need to choose what I do more carefully next time.

My stall looked ok, but I need to do some work on it over the next few months as its looked a bit crowded & cluttered. I need a better was of displaying my cards, I also need more signs and prices. I am going to try and stick to 3 ranges or products, I think this might help make my stall look less random, and help display by products better.

So although not the best day as far as sales, lots of useful lessons learnt!

Felt Flowers

2010-08-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

I have been making my Felt Flowers range for a while now. I love making these, I love that I get to combine lots of techniques, I especially like that I get to sit down in the evening and do hand embroidery (its very relaxing). I also like these pieces as I think they are fairly unique, I haven't seen too many things which are similar, they are also fairly organic and I never quite know how its going to turn out.

I have been thinking recently about how I can develop this style. At the moment I just make cards and pictures in this range. But for a while I have been thinking about what else I can make. The problem I am having is that they are fairly delicate, so am I am not sure how well they would transfer to usable items such tea cosies and cushions.

I think I need to do some experimenting and try and produce some sturdy versions, but I am worried that this could mean I loose some of the elements I like. I think I need to spend some time making samples. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Clear out

2010-08-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

As part of my 'what am I doing' ness, I have been looking at old work, its funny how some pieces that I was really pleased with a year I ago, I now no longer like. Its good to look back, I can certainly see how I have developed and think my work has got loads better. That's kind of encouraging.

With this in mind I have been having a bit of a clear out. I am doing a a local craft fair on Saturday and think I may bring a bit of a sale box with me, it would be good to find homes for my older work and things that have been sitting around a while.

I am hoping that by having a clear out this will make way for lots of new and exciting pieces and also mean I have less of a random look at my Christmas Stalls.

The images are of some initial ideas for Christmas cards, what do you think?

Thinking

2010-08-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

I have been doing lots of thinking recently. I have loads of ideas a I want to develop further, but just don't have the time to do this. I would love to spend a week doing nothing but designing and making.

Recently I have been feeling that I have been producing work here and there but without any direction or focus. So I have decided to narrow down what I produce over the next few months, into 3 ranges; Felt Flowers, Pebbles and Stitch Burn. I hoping that by narrowing down what I make, it will give me a little more direction.

I am also not doing very well on sales. I know I need to spend some time, applying for some more craft fairs and getting my work in some more shops and galleries and may try some different online shops to. But I don't really want to approach anywhere until I have spent some more time developing my new work and ideas. Again this all falls down to time.

I have also been thinking about the time it takes to makes things and how much I charge. I was talking to a friend at the weekend, who is actually doing really and is starting to make a living from this. This was great news, as she is lovely and has worked really hard. But she also has a very good business brain. She has developed quite a commercial range, but she seems really good at producing lovely work, but also cuts out some of the details to save time, so she can charge her work at a competitive rate, but still allow for her time spent.

This is not something I am very good at, most of my pieces are one off's, but I probably don't charge one off prices, so I think I need to look as doing some pieces that I can make several of the same thing and maybe need to look at how to make things quicker.

So, basically I have lots going round in my head and still not much direction.... perhaps need to do more thinking..

Hucknall Craft Fair

2010-08-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

Come and see me at Hucknall Craft Fair on Saturday 14th August.

Open 10:30 - 3:30pm, John Godber Community Centre, ogle Street, Hucknall, NG15 7FQ

Suppliers

2010-08-05T03:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been trying to buy less, partly to save money and partly because I have a lot of stuff already and do I really need more.

This certainly applies to my stash of craft supplies, I have several boxes and baskets full of fabric, wool, wool tops and fibres and general bits and bobs and I had been trying to have a bit of a use up before buying more. But I have genuinely ran out of some things and I have not been able to explore some ideas as I don't have the right stuff. So this week I am going to purchase some more commercial felt, some white wool tops, some plain fabric and small buttons. But I am going to try stick to this list. Hmmm we will see how this goes.

Lollipop Tree's

2010-08-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

I was struggling with a project at the weekend, so decided to move onto something completely different. I also wanted to move away from my sewing machine for a bit. I love hand embroidery and find it very relaxing, its also good way to get my head together. So I made these felt embroidery lollipop tree's.

They are an idea I have had for a while now, so its nice to finally bring them to life. I haven't decided what I am going to do with them yet, I have several ideas floating round my head, but it nice to sit and sew for a few hours.

Here are the original designs from my sketch book.

Together

2010-08-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

I plan to do a few craft fairs leading up to Christmas, so in a bid to be organised I have started to put together a list of what I need to make. This has made me think about what I should and shouldn't be making and what new things I want to produce.

So this week I have been going through photographs of things I have made over the last year or so and I have created contact sheets, I have roughly put them into ranges eg: Felt, appliqué etc... I thought it might be helpful to see what I have made at a glance and compare how they sit with my other products. I am hoping this will help me decide what I should and should be making as well as helping me come up with some new ideas. We'll see how it goes, but its nice to see things together.

Difficult

2010-08-02T01:36:00.000-07:00

Its funny how you can work on an idea one day and everything falls into place, ideas spark other ideas and you are pleased with everything you do. You then pick up the same project a few days later and nothing goes right and its a real struggle and something that was really exciting two days ago has become difficult. Well that was me and my new pebble project on Friday.

For once I was very sensible, and decided to put it down and work on something else and then come back to it another day, in the end have produced another cushion cover, which although I am pleased, its nothing like the original design and was very hard work to get it to this stage.

I wanted to try and combine some patterned fabric with the pebble embroidery panel, but I could find anything to go with it, I think I am normally quite good a combining colours and patterns, but it just wasn't happening. Maybe it was just a rubbish idea, maybe its just wasn't right in this particular piece, maybe I should just stick to plain fabric?.....

Pebbles

2010-07-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some new ideas, based on my afternoon sketching whilst sitting on a pebble beach in Suffolk. At the weekend I did some samples using handmade felt and machine embroidery.

I was really please with the initial ideas, so made a cushion cover. This is now available in my Folksy shop. I am in the process of making another pebble cushion cover which is slightly different, I will let you have a peak when I have finished.

I have lots more ideas based on this theme so need to do some more samples. Its nice to do something a bit different, I love doing my bright flower pieces, but for a while have been wanted to do something more muted and adult. I can't wait to get back on my machine and do some more.

Productive

2010-07-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

I am feeling so much better after a surprisingly productive weekend. Things started well when I was released from work two hours early on Friday as things were really quiet. This meant I had a couple of hours of unexpected sewing time. Fantastic! I made good use of the time and made two peg bags (see images), followed by an evening of doodling in my sketch book and drinking wine.

Saturday I decided to make some samples based on the sketch book doodling I did the night before. It was great just to have a play about and do some experimenting. Really pleased with some of the ideas I worked on, so then made a cushion cover based on the samples and sketch book work. I am really pleased with it and will be listing it in my shop soon.

After this I decided to take my creative flow into a slightly different direction and made goats cheese ravioli from scratch using a recipe from our new cook book - Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi (its a lovely book) and it was gorgeous. It took a while as its quite fiddly, but totally worth it. Sadly I didn't take any pictures, although it did resemble the picture in the book - result!

Sunday wasn't quite so productive as I had lots of house work to do, but I did manage to re-photograph some of my work, so this week I need to change some of the images in my Folksy shop as well as add some new items. I have so much photography to do that I think I will have to do it in small batches, but I certainly made a start.

I then started another cushion cover. Roll on next weekend....

Photo's

2010-07-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Due to one thing and another its been a while since I have made anything and I'm having difficulties getting back into it. I think I am just feeling a little lazy at the moment.

I think part of the problem is that I have a big long list of admin type things which really need doing and I don't feel there is much point in making new things until I have done something with the stock I do have. I know that re-photographing my products, listing new items and generally re-vamping my Folksy Shop should be my main priority. It really does need a sort out and until I do this there is no point in promoting Petal Textiles or my Folksy Shop. But to do all of this I need some decent photo's and that is easier said that done. I am hoping for some sunny days over the weekend so I can make a start and then spend the next week or so having a sort out.

After that the next job is to book some stalls at craft fairs leading up to Christmas. This will at least give me something to aim for, I seem to be much better when I am working towards a deadline.

Owls

2010-07-23T02:39:00.000-07:00

I have always been a fan of owls and recently they seem to be everywhere, here are some of my favourites from Folksy this week.

Snowdon - Owl Bag - http://www.folksy.com/items/585125

Ali Bali Jewellery - Silver Leaf Owl earrings -http://www.folksy.com/items/564325-Silver-Leafy-Owl-Earrings?shop=yes

Sew Realicoul - Owl Badges -http://www.folksy.com/items/657469

Dotty Daises - Mari Owl - http://www.folksy.com/items/507353

Nikki Made - Tunnock Teacake Owl Print- http://www.folksy.com/items/488537-Tunnock-s-Teacake-Owl-Original-Digital-Print?shop=yes

Started...

2010-07-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am back at work this week, after having two lovely weeks off. Before my holiday I was feeling pretty burnt out, so I have actually spent lots of time relaxing and doing things like reading, making jam and being lazy. I feel much better for it, but part of me is thinking I probably should have made some things and made better use of the time.

So right now I am feeling very creative (when I'm at work) and in the mood to make, but can't because I am now back at work. Boo. But then I can't be bothered when I get home. I am sure it will be fine when I start, I just need to get started......

So due to the lack of new things to show, the photo's are of the beautiful poppies in my garden.

Frames and names.

2010-07-19T02:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you the latest name picture I have made for my gorgeous new niece. I wanted to frame it in a deep frame, as often my pictures seem really pushed up against the glass, but unfortunately Ikea didn't seem to have any. So I had to change the plan slightly, but it actually looks fine.

40

2010-07-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

This last month lots of people around me seem to be turning 40. Here are a couple of the cards I have made for them.

Olivia

2010-07-14T02:15:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you this fantastic picture our 5 year old neice Olivia drew for us. Its fab isn't it!

Holiday

2010-07-13T02:01:00.000-07:00

Last week, we went to Suffolk for a much needed holiday. We had a fantastic time, with lots of cream tea, long walks, fun and relaxing. We were even really lucky with the weather.

I did take with me a little bit of holiday sewing, something I could take with me to the beach (although it was a bit too windy and things kept flying away) and something I could pick up for a few minutes here and there.

They will either be used to make more cards, or be used in some new work I am planning.

And the winner is.....

2010-07-12T01:31:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed reading all the comments.

I was on holiday in Albeburgh (Suffolk) last week, and had a fantastic time with lot of perfect afternoons. Mine would probably be a long walk along the coast with my fella, followed by a cream tea!

Anyway the winner is........ The sewing Directory. Lots of goodies

will be coming your way soon.

Its giveaway time

2010-07-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

To celebrate summer, sunshine and life, its time for another giveaway. To win the goodies pictured please leave a comment describing your perfect sunny afternoon.

You have until midday on the 11th July to enter, a random name will be picked out of the hat. As always followers will be entered twice, so if your a follower you have more chance of winning.

The selection of goodies includes: A stitch and burn heart brooch, stitch and burn hair clips, a hand felted techno cosy (fits my blackberry perfectly), Hand felted flower card and hand printed flower card.

Many of these are new items that haven't even made it to my shop yet. I am planning a bit of a re-jig in my folksy shop over the next few weeks, so please watch this space as lots of new items will be listed soon.

Naughtyness

2010-07-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit naughty this week and treated myself. It was half price, I have wanted it for ages, I deserved a treat and I had quite a bit of overtime this month (not that I feel I need to justify it). My new Orla Kiely handbag. Its so extravagant! (even though it was half price).

Isn't it gorgeous! I am completly in love!

The Garden

2010-07-02T02:41:00.000-07:00

I am rubbish at gardening and can't say I enjoy it too much either, but I do love a pretty garden and I love spending time sitting outside. We moved into our house about 4 years ago and inherited an established, but very green, dark and shady garden. So its taken a lot of work to make it brighter and more colourful. We still have some way to go, but we are getting there.

I was making a cup of tea this morning and looked out and though, wow its actually looking really nice, so I thought I would share it with you.

All or nothing.

2010-07-01T02:49:00.000-07:00

I've gone from being so manically busy at work to having very little to do, which is always quite difficult to get your head round. I do wish my work load was a bit more constant, or in quiet times my hours were more flexible, so I could catch up on things I have neglected.

So I am sitting at my desk thinking and planning all the things I need to do and the list is getting longer and longer.

As well as making and designing lots of new things, I also need to:

Update my logo and look of my blog and shops.
Take new photo of many of the items in my shop, as some are rubbish.
Improve the descriptions of items in my shop.
List new items in my shops.
Get some new business card printed.
Do my accounts.
Find some new places to sell my work.
Promote my work.

Hmm, I think all of this may take some time....

That's life

2010-06-30T08:13:00.001-07:00

This week I am having a bit of a re-group, after being busy for so long, its really nice to take things a bit easy and not constantly feel like you are rushing. It feels so nice to have some more time on my hands, even though I have a long list of things to catch up on. It amazing after working very long days for a few months how working 9 - 5:30pm can feel like taking it easy.

I always knew that my proper job could be very full on and I was quite lucky that last year was fairly quite, so I got to spend most of my spare time working on Petal textiles. This year has not really gone to plan with one thing and another and I have had to put everything on hold for the last 3 months or so. I suppose I am a little disappointed that I wasn't able to juggle things better and its a shame Petal Textiles had to take such a back seat, when really this is what I would like to be doing, but that's life!

This has got be thinking about where am I heading and what is it I am trying to do? Don't worry I haven't made any big decisions, and will probably just continue to potter along. But it would be nice one day to be able to commit more time to this, as the only way I will ever get anyway is hard work, lots of hours and lots of luck. And at the moment I can't do this.

So right now I feel like I need to start again, which in a way is quite exciting, I think my plan is to get myself together so I have lots of stock for Christmas and do lots of fair and things around then. But right now its time to have a rest and some fun in the sunshine.

I'm back

2010-06-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

My blog has been rather neglected over the past couple of months. I have been really busy in my proper job and have been working very long hours, so haven't had much free time, so unfortuntley this has meant Petal Textiles has been very much on hold.

But the project at work has now finished, so I am hoping things will go back to normal. I have really missed being creative and can't wait to go get started again, but I have lots of domestic things I should probably do first, including spending some time with my fella, who has also been very neglected.

This week was Sherwood Artweek. I had work in an exhibition at St Johns Church and in Apollo blinds. Sadly I was away working for most of the week, so wasn't as involved as I would have liked and didnt manage to see any of the other exhibitions.

At St Johns I exhibited 9 small textiles pictures and a wall hanging. I kind of ran out of time with the wall hanging, so have some ideas I want to develop further.

Sherwood Art Week

2010-06-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

Just a very quick post to say, Sherwood Artweek starts on Saturday (19th June). Its going to be a fantastic week, with lots of exciting things planned. Find out more at www.sherwoodartweek.co.uk

Sorry for the lack of blogging recently, my real job has been manic and has meant I have had to put Petal textiles on hold for a bit. But the end is insight, so hopefully I will be back blogging and crafting very soon.

3 down 6 to go...

2010-05-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneaky peak at some of the pieces I have produced for an exhibition in June. Sorry about the quality of the photo's, I probably should have removed the glass from the frames.

I am planning to produce six more, which will be mounted in the same way, but will be in a different medium. Its always nice to have some finished pieces and I hope to have the next three finished by the end of the week.

I love bank holidays

2010-05-03T05:03:00.001-07:00

This morning, I have had a bit of a screen printing session and its been very enjoyable. If only every weekend was a bank holiday, I would get much more done.

I plan to work into most of the prints. So I haven't produced any finished pieces, but I have lots to work with.

I have also printed a couple of bags, I messed up a few of them, so I'm trying to work out a way of saving them. But its all a learning curve.

Busy, busy, busy

2010-04-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Things are so busy at the moment, both at home and especially at work and things won't calm down until the end of June. So I've basically had to except that I won't get much time to make things over the next few months.

I was meant to be doing at craft fair in Beeston on the 8th May, but that's been cancelled, which is actually quite good. I am also involved in a community exhibition in June, called Sherwood Art week. So I need to make some things for that.

Yesterday I came up with a plan of what I'm making, so I'm feeling a little better about it. I'm also involved in organising one of the exhibitions, unfortunately I said yes before I knew about this big project at work and sadly they both clash so I won't actually be around for it and I would have said no had I known. But I am where I am, I think in future I just need to think more carefully about what I take on.

So I'm going to spend the next few weeks producing stuff for the exhibition and then I'll be working most evenings and weekends. So I think everything else will be on hold until to July, but I can't wait to get started again.

Swaps, baking & fabric

2010-04-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

You can probably tell from the title that this is going to be a random post!

I've just done a swap with my Jenny for a custom made tissue holder and some strawberry plants and in return I have a very exciting selection of her homemade delights. I can't wait to try them, her Christmas Chutney was fantastic. As as someone who is in a spotty mood at the moment, I'm also very excited by her labels and lids.

For the second Sunday running I have done some baking. I'm not a natural baker, I'm much better at savoury things, but these ginger biscuits actually taste good. Its also a good opportunity to show off my gorgeous cake stand that I got for Christmas.

I arrived home of Friday to a rather exciting package, my lovely friend Emma had seen this fabric and knew I would love it, so brought me some. How nice is that. I'm very lucky to have such lovely friends.

Screen printing

2010-04-17T10:27:00.001-07:00

Screen print on paper.

I've been wanting to do some screen printing for a while now. I brought a kit ages ago but have never quite got round to it. I decided as I don't have much spare time at the moment I would cheat slightly and get some screens made.

I used a company called Thermofax. I'm really please with them and they arrived really quickly. I have has 3 screens made and they are based on some black and white flower doodles I did a few weeks ago.

Screenprint on red fabric

I've only had a quick play , so the prints I am showing you are just tests really. But I have loads of ideas and things I want to try, so hopefully I should be able to show how I have developed these ideas over the next few weeks.

Screen print on fabric

Screen printed cards

Screen print on red fabric with machine embroidery

Quilts 1700-2010

2010-04-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bishops Court quilt, Unknown, 1690-1700

On Saturday, we had a very quick trip to London to see my brother and his wife. While the boys went to the FA Cup semi final at Wembley, my lovely sister in law took me to The Quits 1700 - 2010 exhibition at The V&A. She certinaly knows what floats my boat.

Set of Chintz bed hangings (detail), 1730-50

It was fab! It was so interesting and insprining. I was amazed at some of the early pieces as they just didn't look that old and lots of the patterned fabric used, were not that disimilar to ones I use now. I really like the way applique had been used and found this really inspiring. It was also nice to see modern quits sitting next ones from the 1700's. I would certainly recomend this show. I did manage to resisit buying fat quarters from the gorgoeus selection in the shop, but I kind of wished I had.

Right to Life, Grayson Perry, 1998

I don't think I have been to the V&A since I did my degree, but I hope to go back soon and have look round the rest of it, as we spent so long looking at quilts we didn't manage to see anything else.

More Lollipop Flowers

2010-04-09T03:11:00.000-07:00

This week I managed to complete a custom order for two personalised name pictures. Its been a while since I had made one of these and I had forgotten how much I enjoy making them. They are really relaxing, as once you have made the felt, its all sofa based tasks such as needle felting and hand embroidery. I have made lots of these now, so they don't require too much thought, which is nice sometimes as I can just concentrate on choosing colours and adding different textures.

A couple of months ago also made these, but haven't had chance to do anything with them yet, but I'll get round to mounting them soon.

Handmade Revolution

2010-04-09T00:54:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say I'm busy preparing for my stall at Handmade Revolution on the 8th May, but haven't really had chance to start yet. I have written a list of things I want to make for it, but not actually making everything yet. I'm sure it will be fine, but I really must start soon.

Finished

2010-04-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

Here are the finished Blue and Turquoise Stitch and burn brooches.

I actually like them a lot more now they have been cut out and finished.

Thanks for everyone who gave me positive feedback when I gave a sneeky peak earlier in the week. Its always nice to get some encouragement.

Hopefully I'll add some of these to my Folksy shop at the weekend.

Burnt blue

2010-04-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not finding much time to craft recently, so have been sticking to small relaxing projects. For the past week of so I have been working on some blue and turquoise stitch and burn brooches. It been a good project as you can just do five minutes here and there. They are not finished yet, but are starting to get there. I wanted to move away from red or pink for a change, I'm not sure I'm that convinced by blue and turquoise but you have to try these things.

I'll be putting some in my shop soon, hopefully.

My beautiful new pinny

2010-04-05T03:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I was very exciting to get this beautiful pinny through the post as a belated birthday pressie from my friend Nikki, who runs Pinnikity. I love it, I think I need a drinks trolley and a dinner party to show if off.

Nikki is doing a blog giveaway at the moment, not sure when the deadline is, so get in there quick. http://pinnikity.blogspot.com

Colouring book

2010-04-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Now I've always been a big fan of colouring. As a child I loved doing those big colour in posters, I remember we had one with hot fair balloons which I loved.

Even when I was at college me and my lovely house mate George had a colouring book and used to get through the odd hangover by colouring. Its a really relaxing thing to do.

Its a bit of a long story that I won't go into, but my friend at work brought me a colouring book this week. Its the most fantastic colouring book at have ever seen. It not only encourages you to colour, it also had plenty of free-style doodling moments.

Its so fab and has actually given me lots of ideas for my own work. I think I know what my friends children will be getting for their birthdays this year!

First Birthday Card

2010-04-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'm still not finding much time for crafting, but I'm trying not to think about it too much and just do bits and bobs for relaxing when I can.

Last week I did manage to make Molly a first birthday card. (I'm sort of a non religious version of her god mother, there four of us and we are known as the 'Special Ones') Anyway really enjoyed making the card and was very pleased with the result. I think I may even make some more.

I have also framed a couple of pictures.

Sooziebee Giveaway

2010-03-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

The lovely Sooziebee is having a giveaway and its a good one! If you win you can choose one of her gorgeous prints, which is easier said than done as they are all fab. (examples above)

Check out her blog for details. http://sooziebee-design.blogspot.com/

Take a break

2010-03-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I was meant to be having a stall at Handmade Nation Nottingham, but unfortunately I had to pull out at the last minute, due to some personal stuff. It had been a very bad week. I was really gutted to miss the event as I had helped to organise it and it would have been so nice to be there and it sounded like it was going to be a great day.

But it was the right thing to do and hopefully there will be more. It did mean I found some time to do some sketch book work. It was so relaxing and having a creative moment just made me feel so much better and I do have lots of ideas I want to progress. But I think until things get better I need to put Petal Textiles on the back burner and just do craft as a way of relaxing. I am hoping this break won't be for too long as I was really starting to move things forward. But I think sometimes you need to know when you need to step back and put your energy into more important things and at the moment I'm finding it so hard to do both.

Venice

2010-03-18T08:50:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we had a long weekend in Venice to celebrate my birthday and our 10th anniversary. We arrived to heavy snow! So much for spring time in Venice. We did manage an afternoon of looking about, but just ended up with very cold and wet feet and I can't say it was very pleasant.

So we were both very relieved to see sunshine and melting the snow the next day, and managed to have 4 days of sunshine and each day it got a little warmer. We did loads of walking, everything was so expensive at least walking was cheap! I got very inspired by gold mosaics and its been added to my list of crafts I would like to try, which is already very long. We had a lovely mooch round Peggy Guggenheim house and her fantastic collection and then did lots more walking.

And as I joint birthday and anniversary pressie my lovely fella brought me a gorgeous antique diamond ring that I have had my eyes on a while. Its so sparkly and pretty, I'm a very lucky lady.

Too much

2010-03-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

Its been a very hectic couple of weeks, hence the lack of blogging. Last weekend we went to Venice for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday and our 10th anniversary of being together. I've got loads of wonderful things to share with you about Venice, but I just need to find some time to download and sort out my photo's. I've been working away some of this week, which is really bad timing and has not helped.

Also got some personal things going on which is meaning I'm not having any spare time and I am generally feeling very exhausted and emotional. So have not made anything for a few weeks now. I haven't even had time to do some relaxing knitting, which sounds so lovely right now.

And on top of all that its Handmade Nation Nottingham on Saturday. I have been helping to organise this, I'm really hoping its going to be a great event as several of us have put so much work into it. I'm also having a stall, but with so much going on I haven't had time to make anything new, which is a shame as I had loads of new ideas and things I wanted to try out. I'll be so glad when Saturday is out of the way. I'm hoping that things will then calm down and I can take a few deep breathes and re-group and maybe start doing some creative things again.

Anyway you can still buy tickets for the Handmade Nation screening - from the Nottingham Craft Mafia website or if you find yourself in Nottingham on Saturday pop along to the craft fair which is open from 11am - 9pm. It should be a great day.

Sniffles

2010-03-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

I was hoping for a productive weekend, but on Friday I got the sniffles again, so it all went wrong from there. I am preparing for a craft fair on the 20th March and I had wanted to make lots of new things, especially as I have lots of ideas I want to try out.

I got a fair bit done whilst working in the Nottingham Craft Mafia shop on Saturday, it was a really quiet day, so was a good opportunity, but when a friend popped by and stayed for an hour or so, I must admit it was a nice distraction as I wasn't feeling too creative.

On Sunday the sniffles had turned into a streaming cold so I wasn't really feeling like doing to much. So rather than get all stressed (as this was my last day at home before the craft fair and therefore last full day to make any thing new), I decided to mark out the space I have on a floor and then see how much stuff I actually have and therefore if I need to panic.

I was actually really surprised by how much stock I had and how small the space I have is, both of which were good news. I still have a things things I need to finish and a couple of small bit I would like to make, but a couple of late nights should do it. So I'm feeling a bit more relaxed now. I just hope I get rid of this cold quickly as its another busy week.

Handmade Nation film night

2010-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last night some of the stall holders from the Handmade Nation event I'm helping to organise got together to watch the film Handmade Nation as I don't think we will get time to watch it on the day.

It was great to watch it with a selection of crafty types, as everyone seemed really inspired at the end and we all seems to like different parts. I would certainly recommend watching it if your into craft and if your near Nottingham on the 20th March come along to our event at The Broadway.

Although it was inspiring and really exciting to hear about the very vibrant craft scene in America. I did come away feeling a bit... erm not really sure how to describe it, apart from 'ness' (sort of means low). I think it just made me think about how much I still need to develop, learn and improve in my own work and how that the craft scene in England has some exciting development ahead of it.

I think my mood really represents how I'm feeling at the moment rather than anything bigger. As actually if I think about how things have developed over the last couple of years, both in my own work and craft in general things have improved so much and its actually really exciting times. So I don't think I really have any reason to feel negative and I just need to find some energy to be excited and some time to be creative.

Shopping spree

2010-02-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a lovely weekend visiting friends in Hebden Bridge. And I actually had a bit of a spending spree! In recently years I have started to hate shopping, I just don't have the time or enthusiasm and really don't like it when its busy, so do most of it on line. Its not a bad thing as I haven't had any spare cash recently so not shopping has been good.

But yesterday I managed a successful and enjoyable shopping trip. Hebden Bridge has lots of lovely independent shops full of goodies. My first purchase was in the wonderful Heart Gallery. I saw it a cross the room and knew I had to have it. Its a beautiful green Trim Phone. I love it and we did actually need a new phone too.

I also brought this beautiful spotty lunch box, which is also making me smile.

And I got this 5 bits of fabric for £1, bargain.

I saw lots of other things I wanted, including a gorgeous antique diamond ring (I didn't even go in the shoe shop), but thought I better draw the line at the phone, fabric and lunch box.

I am now going to try and squeeze in a couple of hours sewing, while my fella is a Wembley, I really hope villa win!!

blogging

2010-02-26T01:24:00.000-08:00

Up until the last few weeks I had really surprised myself with how easy it was to find things to blog about and I was actually enjoying the process too. Often the difficult thing was what to write about first. But this week I have been seriously lacking ideas, inspriationg and time.

I think this just refelcts my life at the moment. things are starting to get really busy . Work is start get a bit manic and looks like it will be like this until at least the end of June. Things at home are busy, so there seems to be less spare time. I'm also involved in orgnising an event for Nottingham Craft Mafia, as well as organing one of the exhibitions at Sherwood Art week. This is of course on top of trying to find time to make things.

So all in all I'm feeling a bit full, so I suppose its no wonder that I'm struggling with blogging as my brain isn't having much free time to reflect and come up with ideas. Oh well, its juts one of those things and I think I just need to adapt to this change of pace and in future try not to take so much on.

Only a month to go...

2010-02-22T01:29:00.000-08:00

It struck me this weekend, that its only a month to go until my first craft fair of the year. Eeek! This is even more scary as its a Nottingham Craft Mafia event and I'm helping to organise it. Double Eeek!

I was feeling calm and on top of things, but I wrote down the list of things I want to make for it and I do have a fair bit to do. The organising is going ok, but there is still quite a bit to do and lots of little loose ends.

I think I really need to pull my finger out and get into production line mode and get myself organised. I have started quite a few things, but need to make sure I finish them. The photo's above are of stitch and burn in progress and unfinished felt techno cosies.

Cards, soup, blenders and burns

2010-02-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

I'm off out this afternoon, and I had a list of things to do this morning, but as usual things have taken longer than I thought.

I wanted to do a blog posting before I went out and show you these new felt cards, (I think I showed you these in progress a few weeks ago).

So I end up loading photo's, doing my hair and blending soup all at once. In my haste I put to much soup in the blender, its gone everywhere and I have burnt my hand (only slightly, but it hurts). The silly thing is I knew I had put too much in, but thought I would get away with.

So now after clearing up soup, rinsing my hand and writing this I am running really late. Better go!

Its nice when you are featured.

2010-02-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

Was greeted this morning with a nice email saying I had been featured in Welly dogs beautiful blog. Its always such a nice feeling when someone likes something of yours enough to mention it in their own blog. ' Big Smile'!

Its been a really hectic week again.... so much to do.....

This textile piece is available in my Folksy Shop.

R&D

2010-02-16T04:16:00.000-08:00

I've been talking for a while now about my desire to do some sketching and development work. I really feel like I want to try out some new things and move away from bright florals for a while.

So this last week I have been working on some sketches of buildings and yesterday I started to develop this futher by using different techniques and textures.

I had a really good time. I didn't produce any finished peices, but really enjoyed experimenting and have loads more ideas of new things to try.

I do have some concerns about this new work. Firstly its very similar to a project I did at college, but I do have lots of new ideas to move it forward and it was one of the best things I produced, so I think I should be able to develop this idea rather than re-producing old work.

The second is that there is currently not much use of colour. I know this is becuase I wanted to move away from what I have been doing lately and everything has been bright and bold. So the easiest way to achieve this is by changing colours and tones. But I do like using bright colours and I think one of my strenghts is how I combine and use colour, so I think maybe I need to find I way to incorporate this into this project.

I can't wait to do more on this. I think I do need to do some more sketches. I hate doing sketches in public, I don't like people looking when I am still working on something, so maybe I need to take some photo's to work from.

I am hoping to use some of what I produce to display at Sherwood Artweek in June. So I'm please to say I have a bit of time to develop this further.

Saturday

2010-02-15T03:53:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I did my monthly shift in the Nottingham Craft Mafia Shop. I actually quite enjoy it, its really useful to see what people are buying and talk to customers. But it is really hard to find the time, so I like to make the most of it.
Its a good opportunity to do some craft work. Unfortunately due to lack of space and equipment you have to plan quite carefully what you are going to do. I normally do some sewing or work on some felt pieces. Unfortunately I wasn't too organised this week so didn't manage to make any felt to work on or have any sewing. So I bunged I some cheating felt (shop brought stuff) and some embroidery threads into my bag on my way out and wasn't really sure what I was going to make.

I ended up making some felt circle cards and I have to say I really like them and I enjoyed making them.

I will be listing them in my shops soon.

Photo's

2010-02-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

I am so looking forward to the mornings and nights (and in fact days) getting lighter. I have really struggled recently to take decent photo's of my work, it just always seems to be dark. As I do most of my work at evenings or weekends, by the time I have finished things and they are ready to be photographed its dark. Even if I have managed to get things ready and I'm about in daylight its still a bit dark or has really odd shadows.

When eventually it does become lighter I think I probably need a whole day re-photographing everything and then updating images on Folksy and Etsy as I really do have some rubbish photo's on there at the moment. It doesn't really help sell or show off my work in the best way.

Roll on spring time!

Handmade Nation

2010-02-13T02:29:00.000-08:00

I have some exciting news. Nottingham craft mafia is organising an event on the 20th March at The Broadway Cinema in Nottingham. We are showing two screening of Handmade Nation, (its a documentary about craft in America) and we are also having a craft fair with demo's. It should be a great day so come along, spread the word..... you can find out more on the Nottingham Craft Mafia website http://www.nottinghamcraftmafia.com

Stop using pink

2010-02-12T01:56:00.000-08:00

Just logged onto my blog to do a new post and every image was pink. I must stop using pink! Think February and March need to be pink free months, I challenge myself not to use pink!

Its been a really busy week again. My proper job is starting to get really manic again which is a very odd feeling after several months of being quiet. We have loads of projects coming up over the next few months, so I am a little concerned about how I'm going to fit everything in. I don't think I'll being doing much blogging, promoting and listing new items when I'm at work, so will need to fit this in some other time.

This week has not been helped by having a cold and feeling rubbish and my car has been playing up yet again. So all in all I'm glad its Friday!

Nervousness

2010-02-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sure its not just me, but I get really nervous when I sell something online and even more so when I do a custom order. I think its just because I really want them to like it, and as as they haven't seen it in the flesh it can be a little scary.

On Monday I dropped off the lampshade I had made for someone. I was very please and relieved to hear that she loved it and its a great feeling. I had also made a couple of hotwater bottle covers for someone at work, again it was great to hear that she really liked them too.

I am sure with time I'll get less worried about these situations, although to be honest its probably not a bad thing as it means I care about what I produce and also try to do the best I can.

I've got a bit of a cold this week and not feeling too great. I've got a couple of big projects happening at work, so its not a good week to have time off. Although I do feel a bit better today after the best sleep I have had in ages!!