Little Black dresses - not

Its the time of year which l think most women of a certain age and weight dread the most. Why may some of you ask well its time for the Christmas party!

Enough said for most women but l'll explain what it means to me and my friend which was typified by our girls night out last night.

even right up to the last minute l had prayed for it to be called of but no it went ahead and the wardrobe rampage started and ended with the contents of my wardrobe piled high into the middle of the bed. Why hadn't l been to weightwatchers for the last few weeks l could have lost at least another...........1llb(should have been a Stone) and l would have been able to fit into a little black dress and not leggings and a jumper. But out l went to be confronted at my friends door with a wild women holding up 3 different cardigans and shouting 'which one which one.'

We got to our destination to be confronted by drunken middle age men who had been let out for one night only LOL. one very sad man had a peg stuck to his collar to help chat up women - where do these men come from? and vey old women in very short skirts and young thin girls with not much on but not many who didn't even take there coats off(my friend with the cardy problem)

Hope you have something to wear

Julie x

Dear ......

Christmas Fairs

Why do we do it? what makes some of us put our hands up and others don't?

I'm in the put your hand up brigade.

Today was the local school Christmas fair and there l have been for 3 1/2hrs painting the little angels faces. If l see another reindeer today l will explode and my back is killing me. l wouldn't mind but l only do it for fun l'm not professional but children and parents still think we can magic the incredibles out of thin air. This year we had 3 of us doing, it as in the summer 2 wasn't enough, and people were complaining about the queues.

l'm off for some mulled wine now and a mince pie- l'm starting early with the festive spirit.

Ho Ho Ho

Christmas with Cath

Look what arrived in the post - Cath Kidstons Christmas gift guide. It is full of ideas that friends and relatives can buy you for Christmas if only they could see a copy. My plan is to leave it out from now until Christmas for them to buy those last minute presents!!! l'll need to drops lots of hints as well and some of them still won't know what to get me. In with the gift guide are some Christmas stickers which are too nice to use but if l don't they will disappear into the land that is Julies craft room. Julie x

Wordless Wednesday

Holidays are coming ......

The rumour in my house is that the coke cola add has been seen, so as far as Em is concerned Christmas is on its way. This is one of the reasons l have changed my blog background to a Christmas theme and l hope this will spur me get on with my orders!!!!!

l have just been round our local charity shops and have found only 2 wool jumpers which can now be felted and made into? Well that's the problem my inspiration is fading. l have made the following brooches the one on the left is made for my DH Christmas jumper last year which l managed to part felt on the 3rd wash, so l do have some ideas but it depends on how big the felt becomes. It now going round at 90 while the family is out, what they don't know about won't kill them except when the electricity bill comes in.

Wordless Wednesday

Yummy Cakes

As most of you may have read l'm supposed to be on weight watchers - more like food watching and not weighing is how its going at the moment. So l thought l would share these yummy cupcakes before they go off to there new homes.These are the type of cakes l should be handling.

Couldn't you just eat them all up. Some will be having sequin sprinkles on and ribbon to hang up with.

l just love muted colours and these are my cup of tea - l want to keep them all!!

Back with a Vengance

Schools back today and its the run down to the C word here at ShabbyChic.

These are todays work Door Stops in Orla Kiely fabric- which is like hens teeth to find and when you do its top price but ha ho(Christmas reference).If anyone know where to buy it at a reasonable price then pleeeeeese let me know.

Then in the back ground l have some pin cushion jars on the go.

l think my crafting mojo is back - the fabrics help as they inspire me to sew.

In between all this sewing l'm tiling the kitchen floor so my back is killing me from bending over and knees hurt too.

Next stop the kitchen for a coffee and then into the craft room music on courtesy of Russ Winstanley - Northern Soul and l'm in heaven.

Keep the Faith (Northern Soul Ref)

Fabric explanation

As l have been having slight blog block the last week or so the idea of wordless Wednesday really appealed. Just post a picture that says it all for you and so the picture l posted shows the fabric l have been working with over the last few days. It is Robert Kaufman and called Metro Chicken. l have made this fabric in a Brood of Chicken Door stops - l even went as far as giving them names - l do need to get out more. l'll let you know what the feedback is on this if they sell in their new home.
Speak to all soon promise.
Julie x

wordless Wednesday

Back to Normality

Yes its over my first craft fair in 20 odd years and wait for it l ............made a profit!!!!! This was very unexpected as although busy it wasn't packed out. The venue was the Salford Art Gallery in Manchester and the crafters were on the second floor of the gallery. My only critisim is the quietness l could have done with some piped music as l felt l had to speak to everyone to break the silence.

My DD came to help as DH is in Barcelona on a Conference(jolly) she was a great help until she lost the plot and put a sticky label on my back which said loser- enough said.

Not sure if l will do another yet but watch this space

l thought l would share this cartoon with you as over the last week or two this has been me.

Julie

Its on its way.

l've had that email waited for by many. My Cath Kidston book 'Sew' is on its way- l hope its here before weekend l cannot wait.

This picture shows some of the little dogs l've made for the craft fair next week- a real pack. l'm not sure how much to take so it will be a little trial and error. The worst thing is my WW buddy wants to come - she thinks there is food on.

And the other is a display from one of my new customers showing my items - l love the way they are all in the basket just my type of thing.

l have also made some bunting using this blog as inspiration- l thought l could decorate my stands with it. knowing my look this will be the only thing to sell and its not even for sale.
http://stitchriprepeat.blogspot.com/2007/06/festive-bunting-tutorial.html

Its Jean for Genes day at school tomorrow so l'm off to try and get into mine.
Julie x

Its Official

Yes Christmas is coming - l decided that as the Craft fair l'm doing has advertised as "buy your Christmas presents" then l'd better do some Christmasy things so l've started with some tags for either 'posh presents' or 'tree decorations' they needed ribbons yet but at least its a start.

I've also made these corsages which l have shown a few friends and they think they will sell ok but who knows - everyone will be getting one for Christmas if they don't sell but what will my Dad do with one?

l'll try and show you some of the things l'm doing over the next few days but at the moment its chaos. l hate mass production whenl craft as l get fed up of making the same thing.

Julie x

Saturday Night

Its been a funny day fitting in painting hearts and running round with the hover.The confirmation dropped on my mat for the craft fair in Oct and as it dropped on the mat the penny dropped that l don't have any and l mean any stock.
It is 3 weeks tomorrow so l will need to burn the midnight oil the next few weeks.
The craft fair is in Salford Museum in Manchester which is about 15mins from me.
Anyway in preparation of this l have been look at ways to personalise some items and have found this article which l wanted to share.

“TYPEWRITTEN FABRIC LABEL”


Published by Karyn


I’ve been toying with the idea of having labels made for years, but haven’t gotten around to doing it. Adding a personal label to some of my holiday gifts was something that I thought of in the last days before Christmas. There was no time to order printable fabric sheets (that I now plan on ordering for the shop) or even iron-on transfer paper.
I pulled out my beloved Underwood Portable typewriter and some large scraps of cotton muslin and typed right onto the fabric! If I had planned more carefully, I could have done sweet individual messages to each gift recipient. Alas, this year it will be the same heartfelt message to all.
In order to feed the muslin fabric into the typewriter, I folded it around a piece of copy paper. Ironing freezer paper onto the back of the fabric would have been another way to accomplish making the fabric stiffer, but I didn’t have any at home that night. Once the fabric is fed into the roller, then you just type away! I really love the feeling of typing on a typewriter and especially the ‘clacking’ sound.
To heat set the ink on labels, I ironed them for a few minutes. The labels went on items that are never going to be washed, but I still wanted to do my best to make them as permanent as possible. I had some leftover labels that I threw in the wash out of curiosity. The ink faded slightly from the washing, but is still visible. The idea that the label may fade over time, is actually appealing to me.
Sewing the labels was simple, I used a small zigzag stitch around the outside edge of the label to secure it in place. I really adore them! I’ve decided to add a label or message to as many of my makings as possible from now on. Tiny details can add so much delight to a handmade item.

l just thought this was a effective and simple way to add a nice personnel touch what do you think?

It was a Late Night

Last night was a late night for all the wrong reasons, no l wasn't doing orders or watching a film, or having a meal l was helping my 15y DD do her Food Tech course work!!!! Why she thinks that a little work will help her pass l don't know and at the moment this lack of work is causing the most stress to me and DH she is oblivious to it. This combined with my DH starting on the kitchen redesign in the middle of trying to do orders, clean up and work is tooooooooo much.

And another thing l missed yesterday was the 1st Birthday to celebrate Cath Kidston at the Trafford Centre and they were having cakes - yes cakes and a bag give away. Who had to work ?yep me

So l have decided that l'm going to treat myself -hah- to a new Cath Kidston bag so watch out DH because he will be paying.

Feel much better now for a quick rant and may even tidy up in the craft room which by the way will be moving to our summer house so l can leave out my orders and bits and bobs without causing any more mess indoors. Well thats the idea but Winter is coming and l don't do cold!!! Speak to all soon.

Love Julie x

Its been a quick week

l cannot believe that it has been over a week since my last post, l'm so sorry but l have been busy. l have been approached by another shop to stock my items but as with every thing the orders have been coming quicker than l can make the items. My days have been filled with hearts, corsages,key rings and scottie dogs. Anyway l've finished them all and they will be duly packaged up in the morning after a little quality check for those loose threads.

We did manage to get away at weekend to VANFEST which is a must for any VW enthusiasts.
The weather was fantastic all day but the evenings were a little cold - winter is on its way.

Still no camera so pictures we have none Sorry.

Love Julie

Inspired

Still no camera so its back to old faithful hence the rather poor picture.
l have been inspired by both my holiday in Cornwall and the new books l have already raved about and come up with the Beach Hut pictured below. The first of these will be on their way to a new shop opening in Devon along with a few other goodies.
Over the last few months l have been very lucky to have been approached by a number of shops with a view to supplying them and it has given me quite a boost.
These outlets for my crafts also mean l can create things that normally l wouldn't try and l gain feedback positive and negative.
l would love to open a shop myself but then l wouldn't have time to craft which is what l love so at the moment l feel l have the best of both worlds - a few sales and crafting.

Well back to work as orders don't get done whilst blogging.
Hope you all are having a good day and the kids are back at school tomorrow so more me time.

Julie x

tres cafés con leche por favor

Yes l'm back to a very wet Manchester just when l'm trying to wash the holiday clothes !

The title of my post is about the only Spanish l have managed to use this holiday but it has been well used.(3 cafe lattes please) It was during these coffees that we were able to escape the children for 1/2 hr.

It was actually too warm for me 38-40C and when sat on the beach l felt like as was being cooked like a well greased turkey. Can anyone tell me how the Spanish manage to sit on the beach and not have a grain of sand on their bodies? and be perfectly turned out at all times?

This is a short post but l'm raring to craft so watch this space for some new item - bad news is Em and her friends somehow manged to break the new camera so although l have downloaded the hol pics l don't have a camera at the moment : ( , l'm off to search for the old one now .

What day is it?

What day is it and where am l seem to sum up the last few days, l don't know about you but these holidays are just flying by before l know it my first craft fair will be here and gone.

Another book landed at my feet over the weekend . It again is full off stunning goodies to make- but would l want to sell?

Heres a quick glance at my blanket so far - maybe the colours are not to ever ones taste but l'm pleased with it so far. My only grip is the price of wool, gone are the days of cheap wool l think all this crafting and make your own is pushing craft supplies prices up. Thats my gripe today done now

Volia

Well l was inspired - l did adapt the pattern to make it mine but l think its turned out pretty well - off to make some more to sell

Books to Inspire

Yes they have arrived, actually posty had left one of them next to the shed last week when we were away but didn't leave a note so it could have stayed there for month, my new books are fab and full of things to reignite the crafter in me. l'm hoping that these books will more my crafts up a level if that makes sense. One of the books has even got me thinking about Christmas crafts.......

l will be attempting so of the things in the books so watch my blog for success or not.

Also this felt has arrived along with the pastel coloured button in all shapes and sizes. The colours of the felt are so yummy and are destined for hair slides- something else l thought l'd try!

Divine Dotees

I thought l would share these Dotees with you.

All these have been sent to me as swaps from my SWAP BOT partners.

from right - left they are Pretty in Pink Dotee, Baby Dotee, Flapper Dotee and Dance Hall Dotee.

People are so talented and l just love the work and love that has gone into them.

My crafting has been quiet today as much of my time was spent wrapping items to send out which is the part l hate most-l like selling but not wrapping.

Cup Cake fever

l should be painting hearts - they are drying - but couldn't resist showing you another one of my new items.

This is a prototype for some brooches l'm going to make. What do you think?

Before l went away l got some embroidery cotton for the sewing machine(yummy colours) so thought l could use these and some cupcake fabric that wasn't doing anything and this is the result.

l have just finished these 3 so am listing them on Esty to see how they go/or not

l'm back !!!!

Oh yes l'm back from Cornwall - even though the weather wasn't cracking the flags a good time was had by all. We managed a visit to the Cath Kidston shop in St Ives, it was that small l nearly missed it - l refrained from buying as l couldn't decide what l wanted which isn't like me but to be fair the selection was tiny.

l've decided that next year l am going to enrol in surf school, l heard on the radio that a man of 72 had been on a board but as OH said it didn't say he was in the sea just on a board.

My only purchase is this picture which reminds me of us in our van - l purchased another last year- another collection is forming.

Well l'm off to paint some hearts now and l'll be seeing them in my sleep at this rate.
Will photo my blanket later, its coming on albeit a little slow.

Happy Hols

l've just finished the last of my orders before l go away and its now off to do a bit of packing.
We're of to Cornwall for a week.
The wool l ordered arrived yesterday so l'm taking it with me to start on my blanket - Pete just pulled a face as another hobby arrived, just wait till winter when l'm all wrapped up who will be jealous then ?
l'm not planning to blog or create while l'm away but l'm sure l will buy some stuff for when l return. Fingers crossed for a bit of sun and lots of rest.
Julie x

l'm Hooked

l've been toying with the idea of crocheting a blanket - inspired by some of the fabulous creations over on http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ and some others so l have sent off for some wool. Hopefully it will arrive before weekend then l can take it on holiday something to do when the weather is bad.

This is one that Lucy has done and it looks so cuddly l can see myself on the cold winter nights wrapped up watch TV - lets see what happens.

Mondays Treasures

These buttons have just arrived to brighten up a very dull Monday in Manchester.

Will let you know when l have decided what to do with them.

And just to make you smile a picture of my daughters new shoes - oh to be young again

Going Out

No one tells you when you start work with people that they have 'Nights Out' and for many years l have avoided functions like this, but last night l decided to venture into the Friday end of term night out.

The nightmare starts with what to wear- it rained all day so choice one linen pants and summer top were out and on went the jeans that are still a little tight. This same pants have been worn by me pre weight loss so l must have looked a real sight then.

Next is how to get there - l drove so no drinking so l was a real bore

Then the drinks kitty - these annoy me not drinking as l like to get my moneys worth at all times and me on coke was not in my eyes my moneys worth!

And then the food being a diet bore as well as a drink bore l only chose so called healthy options.

finally what to talk about l have nothing in common with these people bar working with them.

All in all a pleasant night was had !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL not to be repeated in the near future.

Cupcakes

Thought l would share these buttons with you - they are too cute for words and the perfect match to some fabric l already had. l have used them to put the finishing touch to my brooches- see what you think with any luck l will make a few this evening.

Cath Kidston Store Found

l must go round with my eyes closed when l shop but not today l have found my ultimate shop/franshise right on my door step.

Yes l shout for all you crafters with a love of Cath Kidston - a Cath Kidston section in Selfridiges at the Trafford Centre(open since Sept) :( . l could just pass through and um and ah at the goodies on offer oh no l had to strike up a conversation with the manager. Firstly about this new book, l have preordered from Amazon(l am that person)and then we talked about crafting in general and how John Lewis run craft sessions sewing and crocheting. She seemed very interested and l did resist putting myself forward for running them. My suggestion is when the book is launched in Oct they should run a sewing group so that people can make the bag as shown in the book - she will probably get a pay rise for this idea now but it was mine.

Anyway l now have a new best friend- the Cath Kidston Manager.

Pin cushion overload

These are tonights offerings.

the finished item

Pin cushion hot of the press - worked out well.

Its Here

l have had to take a break for lunch so thought l would eat and post. so heres some pictures of the fabric that has just arrived- l was led to this fabric via another blogger but she managed to control her spending and only buy a little whilst l went mad a brought too much and got stung by customs for another £11.00. l cannot tell Pete as he thinks the fabric was a bargain !!!!

l am going to use some of them on the mason jar pincushions l think they will look the part along with some East of India tape measure ribbon.

The pictures do not do the fabric justice they are stunning.

Vans,Vans and more Vans

Yes we're back in one piece from Camper Jam and ready for a rest. This camping lark is very tiring and if l see another sausage or burger for the next few weeks l will scream. The girls had a great time especially on the Fri night with the band dedicating Killers songs to them!!!!!

So now its nose to the sewing machine as we will be off to Cornwall in a couple of weeks and l need finish of some new projects plus some curtains for the Eriba awning.

l also got Em's report from school and it seems that she is an expert at windsurfing - this is what she has told her teacher- she has never even been on a windsurfer. It will look good on her CV so she says LOL.

Thursday 50's/60'sDay

It is our local schools 50th Anniversary this year and today was labelled a 'Play Ground Party' based on a 50's - 60's dress code.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This saw me having a bigger wardrobe malfunction than normal and l had to pour myself into pedal pushers that had been put out for the charity shop along with a pair of red shoes l cannot walk in. l was fine today as long as l didn't walk or eat. l had to take the shoes of on the way home and undo my pants-l'm too old for all this messing about.

Wished l'd looked like this piccy

Today also saw my first crafts supplied to Becky at http://www.purplesparkle.co.uk/ she has sent me some pictures and l'm so pleased they look like someone else has made the items.

l'm off now to pack for CAMPER JAM this weekend we are taking Em and 4 teenagers with us. We must be mad but it seemed a good idea at the time LOL.

Fingers crossed for good weather. Have a good weekend. Julie x