plump pudding

Sewing for your Country

Today is pretty exciting for me as I am delivering an order to St Fagans , the Museum of Welsh Life.  It really isn't that far from me.  The boys and I often go there and was thrilled when they placed an order. 

Plump pudding is in stockists throughout the country, but it is lovely to be able to tell people that a Welsh company is being sold in the Museum of Welsh Life.  Nothing like a bit of patriotism is there?  And the great thing about it, is the fact that it is local and I can deliver the order and get to meet the gift shop manager.

I have a few more labels to attach and then I'm off to deliver them.

Usually it is pretty quiet out in the studio with Maudie for company.  And the odd gatecrasher in the form of the boys.  Arthur is of course my new companion.  I was lucky enough to find a pet bed and baby quilt in the car boot sale.  Both were given a good wash and Arthur is lucky enough to have his super swish Cath Kidston bed in the house, and his snuggly duvet in the studio.

When it gets cold out there, I wrap it around him just like a baby.  Here he is waiting to have his tummy tickled.

But he'll have to be lonesome this afternoon whilst I'm out doing my delivery.

Arthur the Destroyer

I thought there would be a plethora of posts about Arthur and his naughtiness and sure enough I discovered some this weekend.

The little bugger has been "killing" Keanan's eiderdown.  Rather than trying to match the fabric which would have been impossible, I have patched the damaged parts with completely different fabric.  And told the boys not to leave the eiderdowns on the bedroom floors.  No doubt this is the first of many incidents with Mr Peacock.

Apart from patching the eiderdown, we celebrated Keanan's 10th birthday this weekend.  A trip to Pizza Hut with the family on Friday night and his friends over for a DVD and party food on Saturday night.

So not huge amounts of sewing going on.  But I have managed to make up some pincushions from a Cath Kidston (talk about hypocrisy!) strawberry print.

There was just enough fabric to make four pincushions.

Each pincushion measures approximately 15am by 9cm and has been stuffed full with polyfill.

I have added a vintage button detail with two felt leaves: one had embroidery embellishment.

And if you fancy one for yourself or as a Mother's Day gift, they are up for sale here.

Please look after this bag

I have been busy this weekend and wasted no time in using the vintage Paddington Bear fabric that I bought last week.  I bought it with the the idea of book bags/tote bags in mind.

The fabric just seemed perfect for bags. 

I have added a red ribbon tie at the top for extra security.

And to provide extra stability I have lined the bag with hot pink gingham.  Oh and a plump pudding label too!

There are only so many tote bags a girl needs which means that there are some bags up for sale in my Etsy shop.

There are only a limited number of the bags - so pop over quickly and have a look around.

Post

Things have been hectic in the studio for the past few days.  Orders for shops and customers being made up and posted out.

The biggie was the Liberty order

A box filled with knitting needle rolls, pincushions and needle cases.  All off to London.

Next in line was a repeat order to Made in Hastings .  A few more knitting needle rolls

and pocket mirrors

There are also one or two customer orders to be wrapped and posted out tomorrow.

But no rest for the wicked.  There's still another wholesale order for Chandlers to be finished and posted out.

But before that, I am off to Keanan's Christmas carol service tonight - where much to his disgust he has to wear his school uniform.

Oh the injustice of it all!

Working through the addiction

It has been a manic few days sorting out work, a new stockist and a shopping event at Ethan's school.  Today is the first time I have had time to get out tha camera and take a few photographs.  Of what?  The resulte of more time spent on the badge machine.

In my defence, you readers are to blame for asking for more story book badges.  So here goes:

Santa's Little Helper

Santa Suit and Green Elf:

Wind Up Soldier and Reindeer: Reindeer: SOLD  Thanks!

Holding Hands and Houses:

Row Boat and LightHouse:

Topsy and Tim Cat and Dog: Cat SOLD  Thanks!

Topsy and Tim and Shoes:

Row Boat and Lighthouse:

As before the badges are £1.25 each and 50p postage per parcel within the UK.  If you are outside the UK, please mail me and I can work out the postage.

And just to prove that I can tear myself away from making badges: the latest from the plump pudding sweat shop - compact mirrors

I have been so excited about these and finally got all the bits and pieces I need to make them.  And shameless woman that I am, I am going to tempt you with some photos.

The mirrors are made from a selection of vintage storybooks and vintage and repro fabrics.  They are £3.50 per mirror and come packaged ready to wrap.  As with the mirrors, postage is 50p per parcel within the UK and if you are outside of the UK, please mail me. 

One more photo to leave you with.  If you have any particular prefernce or dislike of a colour - please let me know.

New Stock

I did say that I have succumbed to the lure of the badge making machine and here is the evidence - well what is left after my customers at the Ladies Night bought badges.

I have put together single badges.  Each carded badge is £1.25 and if you would like a particular one, please mail me and I'll mark it as sold and send you out a Paypal invoice.  Postage is 50p per order regardless of how many badges you buy.

The badges are a mixture of vintage hand embroidered linen and illustrations from vintage children's books.

Here goes:
(please excuse the bad photos - I think my camera was having an off day)!

Badge 1: Skating Mouse

Badge 2 Bunny on Sledge: SOLD  Thanks!

Badge 3 Cowboy: SOLD Thanks!

Badge 4 Bathing Belle:

Badge 5:

Badge 6 Mr & Mrs Mouse: SOLD  Thanks!

Vintage Embroidered Linen  Badges:

I have photographed a few of these together to show you what they will look like as each one will be different, but they are still £1.25 per carded badge.

And just think if you indulge in some retail therapy/ Christmas shopping. you will be giving me the perfect excuse to make some more badges!

Don't forget the handmade Cornish Candles are selling out fast.  I now longer have any of the 85g candles left. 

I have four 185g candles priced at £6.50 per candle

and three remaining of a trio box set of 85g candles priced at £9.50 per box.

Postage is £2.50 per order.  So grab yourself a bargain before they sell out!

P.S. The candles come in a gift box tied with a ribbon - perfect for a gift.

Addicted to the badge machine

I have just come back from a Ladies Night at the village school, organised (for the first year) by a friend of mine.

As well as sales, it was a good opportunity for more villagers to see what I do and to tell the ones that missed my Christmas night what a fab night it was and to get them to remember it for next year.  In hindsight it would have been better for me to have put a photograph of me on the flyer with a big arrow pointing to it!  It was a  good night, which was just as well seeing as I missed Gordon Ramsey's kitchen nightmare - the only programme I actually sit and watch.

Before I packed for the evening, I finished off a badge order for Sarah to take to the school fair that she is doing this weekend.  A combination of boys and girls badges in paper and fabric.  Only a sneak peek - hope you're pleased Sarah.

Two market stall aprons which were commissioned by the ladies that were at my Christmas night.  After seeing me wear mine with such panache and style, they wanted one too.  No Pete Beale style aprons for me!  So if you are interested in having one made, please drop me a line. 

I also got a bit carried away with the badge machine (again) and ended making up more badges.  This time with vintage books.  I sold some tonight at the Ladies Night and have a few left.

I am thinking of putting a few up for sale tomorrow.  Would anyone be interested?

Post Mortem

I am relieved to say that my Christmas shopping night was a success - breathe out!  we had neighbours popping in, as well as friends and old customers. 

Nobody was rushed and either had a glass of mulled wine or a cup of tea - most opted for the mulled wine which meant the house smelt delicious!  But I forgot to take photos - sorry.

I am having a pre-Christmas sale and intend to start the new year with a clean slate. 

First off in my sale are Cornish Candles.

Not a great photo as it is pouring with rain and there is NO natural light whatsoever.

But the candles are gorgeous, they smell divine and burn for ages.  They are in glass jars and come in the presentation boxes pictured above. 

Here are the special prices:

85g           £4     were £7
195g         £8    were £12
Trio 85g    £10   were £17

Postage is £2 per order within the UK, regardless of whether you buy one candle or oodles of candles.  If you are outside the UK,  please mail me and I can calculate the postage.

The candles are on my website and I will be updating the prices later on today - but you can mail me for the candles you wish to purchase.  Stocks are limited, so send me an e-mail with your request.

Front of House

Tonight is the night of my Christmas Shopping Event.

The lounge is cleared out as is the dining room ready.  We are going to have two sellers per room.  I have placed the wooden table in the hall with business cards and a welcome sign on the door.

I think I am all ready.

The mulled wine and mince pies are waiting.  Just a quick hoover round and I am all set.

Don't forget if you are local, please pop in and say hello.  And if you don't want to come on your own, bring a friend.  The more the merrier!

Wish me luck!

Badges

After several months thinking, I took the plunge and my new toy arrived Friday.  And guess what I made with it?

Badges.  Each badge has been made using fabrics from my stash.

They are a combination of vintage fabrics and 1930s reproduction fabrics.

The badges are in a set of three and come mounted on a presentation card. 

Small enough to pop into a Christmas card and post.  Perfect for a stocking filler or even as a present to yourself.  Because you deserve it, don't you?

Best of all, they're here .