plump pudding

Nothing to show

It has been a funny few days, I just can't seem to get into the sewing groove, although I do need to.  I think I have kick started myself by tidying up the studio - only a small half an hour job, but it does seem to have made a difference.  I have a commission and that has been started and I have a sample to make up for a prospective retailer.

Although Ethan and I succumbed to Jane's  recipe for rock cakes.  They were all eaten by the end of the night and the boys were most dispointed to find that there weren't any left to take in their lunch boxes.



I think we may have to make them again this weekend.  And I really never through of myself as a rock cake person. 

But you know I never thought of myself as a YouTube kind of person either - until I was broswing the internet and came across this

The Sewing Room   How could you get bored of watching this?  Maybe she needs me to go round and tidy up a little!

Designer Labels

I have quite a few small jobs to finish off and really have been putting them off which means that I have started an order for ten of my heart chalkboards.




Yesterday necessitated a trip to buy the MDF and also white emulsion to use a primer.  Ever one to hunt out a  bargain, I stopped by the trolley with reduced paints.




It took a bit of finding but I managed to get this 2.5 litre tub of white emulsion for £1.  The only reason it was reduced was because other emulsion had spilled over the tin.  I was a happy bunny!  I cut them all out  in the evening and they are now all sat in my lounge with their first coast of primer waiting for their second.

I have been wanting to do something with my labels for a while, but inspiration was just not striking.  That and the fact that I can't draw for toffee.  Stephen had taken the boys to the gym for some manly grappling/wrestling stuff, so I forced myself to have a play around with the computer.  And this is what I cam up with for my washing up liquid aprons



I am pretty pleased with the results. So I did a little celebratory sewing and came up with a new fabric design for my aprons




I knew it wouldn't be too long before I cut into my new fabric.  And even better news?  They are for sale Here!

Making up for lost time

Due to the awful weather we have been having lately, there was no car boot sale on Saturday and only a handful of stalls on the Sunday.  I'm not that devoted, but as I was taking the boys to my parents I felt compelled to have a detour.




Which was why after dropping off our other computer at the shop for it to have some" wireless thing" done to it, I thought I would check out the charity shops.  And I was not disappointed.  Vintage hankies and a charming little strawberry picnic basket tin.




This glass light shade bought for the glass beads only.  It is extremely dusty and I am sure they will sparkle once they have been cleaned.





A vintage tablecloth which apart from needing running through the washing machine is perfect.




Yet more fabric.  I just can't seem to help myself.  Some other items arrived in the post as well.  Firstly, always last to catch on to a trend, I ordered myself some Moo cards.




And fabric shipped from the States.  It always sound so much more impressive than saying I nipped into my local fabric store and bought this.  Don't you think?




Christmas fabric already.  It reminds me of the wrapping paper and gift tags that my grandparents used to use when we were small.




And I just couldn't resist this and ended up buying about 3 yards of it.  My next job is to justify some of my purchases and get sewing!

Branching Out

No school for the boys today as it was one of those teacher training (Inset) days.  A bit of a pain as I had organised a meeting with an advisor from Business in Focus to talk about next busines steps.

Thankfully the boys made themselves scarce which meant I picked up some hint and tips.  But before she arrived and I was trying to get the boys dressed and washed etc, I couldn't find Keanan




He had collected all his art paraphanalia and settled himself into our bed. 

Afterwards we went to Penarth with my parents for lunch and a mooch around the charity shops.  No bargains to be had though.  A quick request to Ethan and here is his tree outfit



I kept it simple with the shapes as I want people to be able to see the leaves from the stage.  There are leaves sewn all round the cuff which will look better when he had his hands against his side.  Also the ones on the sleeves will also hang better then.

He's pleased and it's a job off my To Do list.  I think Ethan's pleased!



Have a good weekend!

Blowing my Own Trumpet

My first advert appeared today - and it doesn't look half bad




The scary part was putting the advert together myself.After reading through the magazine to have a look at the other adverts, I put it together and mailed it off before I could have some kind of crisis about what I should have included/taken out etc etc.

It is in this month's issue of Zero 29




Which is a glossy magazine style freebie.  I know that adverts sometimes don't get responses, but I managed to persuade them to write a little piece about me too




So that's my showing off for today and back down to earth with a bump.  Or rather chalkboards for an order.  It is so windy today and rain is threatening, that I have had to bring these inside to paint




They need one more coat and then they are ready to be packed up and shipped out.

Tonight I am attending my second meeting of the Vale Business Women's Network.  Plus I have an order to drop off whilst I am there: six padded coat hangers.




And just to tease you all, I am going to leave you with a sneak peek of Ethan's tree costume for The Wizard of Oz end of year play.

Return Post

The weekend started with Ethan and the rest of the year sixes being collected after school and taken to the Millenium Centre, in Cardiff Bay for an evening and day with his new schoolmates and teacher.  This led to a very disgruntled and  bored Keanan who was moaning about the fact that there was mothing to do.  Of course I couldn't resist pointing out that he doesn't actually appreciate his brother when he is here, and maybe he ought to!




Bickering and squabbling was back to normal Saturday afternoon.  In the UK it was Father's Day on Sunday and we all went back down to the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay where there were graffiti artists and a dance off with breakdancers.  The boys loved it and we spent the afternoon wandering around watching it all.  I think Keanan came away with some moves in his head for later!




Do you remember my lavender sachet give away last week?  Sarah from Pink Petal Designs  won and promised a gift in return.  She was so quick off the mark and a parcel arrived Saturday.  In it were the little booties in the top photo and card and fabrics hearts with the handmade card.  As well as this delightful rolling pin



It now has pride of place in the kitchen.  Thanks Sarah!



I mentioned on Friday that Iam sorting through stock and having a clearance sale on some items.  There are still a few sets of dolls bedding left - although they are selling quickly.  Don't forget to pop over to the shop  and have a look as once they're gone, I shan't be making any more.



Still on a sorting mission, I am putting pencil rolls in the shop



They come in three colourways: fish print, chocolate brown cowboy print and Indian print which is in a lilac colourway and more suitable for a girl.



Like the dolls bedding these are limited in numbers and at a bargain price.  So please help me clear out some space and take a peek .

Making Room

Apart from skiving off for a few days this week, I have had a bit of a sort out, looking through my stock etc.  The end result is that I am putting up my dolls bedding set for sale at a super duper price.





There are two sets available.  A charming vintage Laura Ashley print.  The reverse is a lavender blue vintage Laura Ashley print.




The other pattern for sale is also vintage and is a beautiful floral print






Each bedding set comprises a quilt and matching pillowcase. 




So if you know a dolly who gets cold at night, pop over to the shop  and make your dolly's day.  Or should I say night?

Following the Crowd

After the caving in under peer pressure and allowing Ethan a mobile phone, I have caved in once again and bought both boys a pair of Crocs.  I was quite surprised that they asked for these, but it is probably due to the fact that some of their school friends have them.



Not one to disapoint, I bought them when the boys were in school.  Which meant that when they came out of school pestering me to go to buy them, I could casually mention that there "might" be a surprise at home.  Of course they guessed straight away.




Stephen is adamant that I only bought them for the boys because I like them.  I don't.  And neither does he.  So that's the family divided: two who don't like them and two boys who love them. 



There is one consolation though - they won't be hard to spot around the village!

Gift

Look what I received in the post.  A beautiful brooch from Lisa at Primrose Hill Interiors . 




She was so helpful and generous with her hints on attending a CL Fair. Amd as these things happen, we have struck up a friendship. Such a lovely lady.



So what a lovely treat to receive this.  Thank you so much Lisa.  I shall be adding it to my outfit.

Another little treasure that dropped through my letter box is this pattern for sock monkeys.  I have wanted to make one for a while and won this on e-Bay at the weekend.  Maybe it'll spur me to to actually making one rather than just thinking about it.



Last night we all went up to Ethan's new secondary school to get him kitted out with his new uniform.  The school is very strict with the uniform which I totally agree with, but they have the monopoly on selling the uniform, as it isn't available at any of the uniform shops.  And the school will not allow any shops to stock it.




So there you have it.  £150 worth of school uniform.  And what exactly is in that pile?  Three polo shirts, a fleece, a sweat shirt, a games rugby shirt, a games t-shirt, games shorts and two pairs of sports socks.  No school shoes, games trainers or trousers.  Absolute extortion.  At this price, he had better not lose any of this and I wil be spending an evening sewing labels into every item of clothing.

Anyway, time for me to get down off my soap box and announce the prize draw winner.  The prize is one of my crazy patchwork lavender sachets



And the winner is



Sarah from Pink Petal Designs   Hope you like it!

Playing Hookey

After being so busy with my Open House and wholesale orders, I made en executive decision and had a day off yesterday.  Bliss.  First on my list was to take my sewing machine for a service as the poor thing has been working overtime lately and I wanted to pre-empt any problems. A quick visit to the bank and then I hit the charity shops.




And yes, it was all fabric.  So here is all it.  The above photograph is some vintage Laura Ashley fabric that is destined for shower caps.  Do people still wear shower caps?  Or am I barking up the wrong tree with this one?

The next lot is just for me.  A skirt I think:




And how could I resist this pile of vintage sheeting.  More clothing I think and after reading some of your comments, I am going to try my hand at making some smock tops for ladies




Here is is blowing on the washing line.  It came straight from the shop and straight onto the washing line.  I love clothes that have been dried on the line, they have that smell of fresh air about them




With some of the proceeds from my Open House I decided to invest in some storage boxes for all my products.




They are usually stored in boxes - just two large boxes rather than sorted into smaller ones.  The idea behind this thinking is that it should be easier to find items rather than looking through a big box, I can see straight away what is in each box. 




And of course, being slightly obssessive about these things mean that I have stored similar products in with each other.

And whilst I was in one of the charity shops I found these silver Ikea boxes which will be perfect for my ribbons and trims




And just in case you get the wrong impression of me sweeping about the charity shops all day. scooping up large amounts of fabric, I did have two specific items in mind




Ethan's year are putting on The Wizard of Oz for their end of year play.  And he is one of the tree that grabs Dorothy et al as they walk through the woods.  I am going to keep this as simple as possible and make leaves to sew on the polo neck.

Do you know I am sure that they keep the more challenging costumes for my boys as the teachers know I can sew!