Friday thoughts - On the move

My family (and my husband's family) all live some distance from us. Christmas/New Year's is often the time when we jump in the car and make the journey to visit them. As we don't often see our family members, time with them is very special and we make the most of the opportunities.

I also like making the most of the opportunity of sitting still without the need to 'do' anything when travelling in the car (when not driving, of course). If I know that I have to travel, I usually pack my crochet. I find that crochet doesn't need any patterns or a lot of materials and isn't too tricky to do whilst bumping along the road.

As we have recently spent time travelling, I managed to whip up quite a few crochet flowers.

I now have quite an array of colours and textures to use. I like to use these flowers as part of headbands. That can only mean one thing...lots of headbands to make!

I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some crafting!

Wonderful Wednesday - 'Emma'

Monday in the making (although it is Tuesday)

I know that it is not really Monday...yes, I am a day late, however, yesterday was a day spent with family and there was not any time to blog.

There wasn't a chance to blog but there was time to craft. We had to travel a bit over an hour to reach our destination so it was a perfect opportunity to whip up some crocheted flowers for headbands. I have a lovely little stash to make into headbands...I can't wait to get started.

Just before Christmas I was busy stitching up some new toys. I gave a little sneak peak of one that was given as a present. Since I have presented my gift I can now reveal my new design...

...meet 'Whiskers' the cat. I made a purple and green one for my little niece and it looked so cute that I had to stitch another to place in my shop. You can check out his details there.

I have been enjoying spending some extra time crafting. I hope that you have had some time to relax with family and friends over Christmas and have had the opportunity to do a little crafting. I hope to reveal more of my crafting soon!

Friday Thoughts - It's that time of year

It is that time of year...Mr T and I ventured out to do some last minute grocery shopping and there were cars and people everywhere. At least we didn't need to do too much shopping as I have tried to get a bit more organised and looked for some handmade items for gifts earlier on.

It is also that time of year to wrap up all the gifts and place them under the tree. We have had to put our presents in a box (not very festive I know!) as our little dog, Tupsqueak, enjoys ripping up cardboard and paper on the odd occasion. We didn't want to take any chances with the presents.

But... who is this amongst the presents??

Ahh... just a new creation of mine. This little beauty has been saved as a present, however, I am working on another to add to the shop. I can't wait to show you!

Something that I can show you is something that I have recently added to my shop is - 'Esther' headband.

I have some ideas for a range of headbands and this lady is No.3 so far - Jane, Cutie bug and now Esther. They will be available in different sizes and colours. I can't wait to get crocheting some more flowers. A full description of 'Esther' and more photos of her are available in my shop.

I am looking forward to crafting and relaxing over this Christmas break, reflecting upon the true meaning of Christmas. I hope that you and your family have a safe and happy time together during this Christmas season!

Wonderful Wednesday - A new stash!

Monday - in the making

After an exciting start to the day yesterday, I thought I would spend some time after a busy week finishing off the Cutie Bug headband that I started.

I showed pieces of one Cutie Bug headband in a post a week or so ago. I finished that band and tried it on my friend's little girl and the result...super cute! I had to make another one and place it in my shop. Here is the final product...

Tasks for the week: finish off a cute present I am making (can't show photos yet...it will spoil the surprise) and finish off a baby toy that I started awhile ago. We'll see how I go with that list!

Happy crafting everyone!

Weekend Wonders - Today is the day!

I am quite excited as today is the day that Madeit has chosen to publish my guest blogspot...YAY! I gave a bit of a sneak peak in my blog about a week ago. Check out the Madeit blog and the starry items that I have chosen for the Gift Guide.

A big thanks to Madeit team for the opportunity to add to their blog!

Have fun browsing and shopping everyone!

Friday thoughts - Bring it on!

Ahh... freedom.

I am on holidays now for a little while. I am looking forward to a good break and a chance to get out of the normal routines of life. It also means that I will have more time to spend on my craft. One of my aims these holidays is to sink my teeth into some of the bigger projects that I have designed and to replenish some stock.

An item that I have finished is a set of Cutie Bug hair clips that were on order. As I had freedom to choose the colour, I thought I would choose 'Watermelon colours' with pink and green. I hope to get a few more sets made over the holidays.

I am still looking forward to my post on the Madeit blog (I won't reveal my theme quite yet)... however, keep checking out the items on Madeit if you are stuck for a gift idea. It is not too late to purchase something and have it posted out straight away or by Express Post. The latest Madeit newsletter features items that are ready to post.http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ready-to-Post-Handmade-Christmas-Gifts.html?soid=1102437359584&aid=0xNx8zhzGGg is the link.

If you are on holidays, I hope you enjoy your time off and make plenty of time for crafting!

Monday - in the making

I am paying the price of a craft filled weekend...

After I have finished blogging, I will be busy wrapping gifts of all sorts in readiness for work tomorrow. Yes... yes I could have made time over the weekend, however, I was lured by craft. Let me explain...

Firstly, I spent time gazing at all the wonderful creations on MadeIt to prepare for my blogspot on the MadeIt blog (which I hope will be featured very soon). Lots of creations to inspire my own creativity.

Secondly, I wanted to test a Cutie bug headband for size and look on my friend's daughter. We were meeting for coffee and I wanted to complete it beforehand (and for the record, the trial went well and I will be adding these headbands to the store soon).

Thirdly, I wanted to make some ladies headbands - one for a gift, and a few others to place in my store. As these are all handstitched, it does take a little while. I have added two headbands to my store...

 Lastly, I attended a market on Sunday. It gives me the inspiration to maybe one day make enough items to hold my own stall at a market.

Anyway, my crafting tonight will be gift wrapping. I better find the tape and wrapping paper.

Have fun crafting!

Friday thoughts - What's my theme?

I have been browsing through the MadeIt stores, not only looking for super gift ideas but I have been given the opportunity to add a blog entry to the MadeIt blog. So to prepare, I have jotted down a few ideas and picked out items to support a Christmas theme. Here are a few of the wonderful items that I have picked:

Onesie set by Little Poppet by Ali

Jumbo crayons by Stitch Ville

Bunting by Run Wild Horses

Can you work out the theme that I have chosen? You will need to wait until Monday to find out for sure. In the meantime, view other blog entries and gift guides at the MadeIt blog.

Wonderful Wednesday - Custom order finished

Monday - in the making

So...I am on a bit of a design roll at the moment. I gathered up supplies and have designed a Cutie bug headband for little girls/babies.

I know it all looks a little funny at the moment, I thought I would start to piece the main elements together to make the design more clear. The idea is to have an elastic lace base. I will make up tulle base on which I will stitch the crocheted flower. On top of the flower will be a Cutie bug, like the ones that are stitched to my clips. I am thinking I may need to add a 'leaf' or two.

I am yet to make up my mind whether to have a green winged Cutie bug or a pink winged one. I am unsure whether the pink winged Cutie bug adds too much pink. Feel free to add your thoughts on this, I would love to know.

Speaking of Cutie bugs, I will need to get going on some to replenish my stock. I also have a custom order of Cutie bugs which will need to filled.

Have fun in your crafting!

Weekend Wonders - Re-energised

I couldn't sleep last night...I had designs floating around in my head.

I must admit... I am one to analyse. I analyse my work, I analyse my netball match, I analyse my craft. I spent a great day yesterday in Hamilton, not only catching up with my sister-in-law, Ali, her husband, bubby and my mother-in-law (yes...I lot of lovely family), but I had the opportunity to peddle my wares at a market (a big thanks to Ali for letting me encroach her stall and her enthusiasm for my products - my No.1 fan!)

The good part is that I sold a few items (always handy) and it was great to see how people react to the products I make. As my 'shop front' is online, it is difficult to personally gauge the responses of others. Markets are also great to support fellow crafters. It was great to wander around the market, see what was on offer, not to 'pinch' ideas or view the competition, but to buy something - the ultimate encouragement for a stall holder.

So, I then went away and analysed the day. I was thinking of the importance of adding some more 'boy' products as I do like to focus on the girlie crafts (funny thing is I am beginning a new girlie craft which I will show tomorrow!). Hence, that was what was interupting my sleep last night...trucks, tractors, trains...hmmm.

Friday thoughts - To market, to market

It has been a very busy week...more work related rather than craft related...

...however, an exciting part about this week is looking forward to this weekend. I am sharing a stall with my sister-in-law, Ali, at a market in Hamilton. As I haven't got a lot of stock, sharing a stall will be perfect. I must admit I am a little nervous, however, I am looking forward to some feedback... to see what people are interested in, what people buy (if anything) and what suggestions people may have. I am going to chalk this down as a learning experience, rather than a hard sell (although selling a few items would be nice) and a chance to promote my designs.

If you are in Hamilton tomorrow, come over and say 'Hi'.

Seek out a market this weekend and have fun browsing!