Etsy and beyond...

well my feet have been floating about 6" (metric...mm about 15cm!) off the ground this week...just blown away by the lovely responses here and on Facebook to my Giveaway...so thanks to everyone who took part...sorry you couldn't all be winners, thanks for all the lovely comments and compliments xx

...and I'm celebrating my first sale on Etsy!! 

...and at Tullie House Gallery and Museum in Carlisle,  a certain C-art Pop up shop has been selling work for me and want me now to sell my goodies there more permanently!!

...and the email came saying I have been allocated a stall at Woolfest in June...book it in your diary now 28th and 29th June...it's a fab event!

sigh!

it's all so wonderful! Thank you Universe! Big hug xx

so to get my feet back on the ground...I've ordered 1000 brooch pins...how many?!!

...and been a making a pretty bag...which is of course the best bit, sitting in my lovely warm studio, sewing and getting creative again, with a stunning view of the fells, chickens scrattling about outside, husband of patience out planting willow in the field, daughter mine zooming something amazing on her sewing machine...half term happiness!

I seem to have been asleep for the last couple of months but now like out in the garden I'm waking up...and just loving that all I need to do is get some fabric and thread and start to play...and this is what may happen....colours just come together and then a brooch appears...and...

mind you there is a certain lack of house loving been going on...so I think maybe that's the next assignment...but there is just a half finished bag may need my attention...what do you think??

hope you've had half as good a week as I have, and have a lovely weekend... Emmax

My Etsy shop...Valentine's Day Giveaway..

 My oh my...what a week or so it has been...you may have thought we were a housewife down again...(see full story here)...I have photographed and uploaded and written and fiddled and arranged and hummed and hah'ed and re-photographed and re-uploaded and been to the post office 6 times...and all just so I could at last get my Etsy shop up and running...so a big pat on the back and thanks to my fantastic staff of...well, me! 

...obviously with back up and much patience and rolling of eyes like Mum's STILL on the computer...from Team W!

I have been on a steep learning curve as with all these internetty things which come so easily to the teenaged and young childers...but I have got there...so do pay a visit and let me know what you think...if you spot anything I haven't please let me know!

and be-cause it's only just open and be-cause it's nearly Valentine's Day...and I'm fu-fu-feeling full of LOVE...I would love you to help me to celebrate and to say thanks to all my lovely followers and likers...with a Giveaway ...2 little handmade bird brooches will fly away to ...maybe YOU...so leave me a comment here, or on my Facebook Page here...and say if you'd like a pink, blue, grey or green one...offer closes midnight Monday...so I can get the birdie to you as soon as possible...with a following wind...

and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you all xx

how to make a bird brooch....

...or ten...

it is soo feeling a bit more springlike out in the world of nature...lighter nights...birds twittering more...little signs of bulbs and green shoots and buds..and of course snowdrops...aren't they incredible, coming up whatever the weather is doing...little signs of hope!

it's all made me feel more creative and much more like getting to my mahcine and getting sewing and embroidering...and using some gorgeous new fabrics such as this delicious daisy design and dotty spotty (can't beat a good spot!)in fab colours...feeling springlike and ready for fresh new shades...

so if you're feeling like joining me in some making...

first draw or trace your birdshape on paper..keep it simple...cut out a pattern and use to draw onto, or just pin onto, a piece of craft felt and cut out...(do try and use a wool type felt as they are just so much nicer to handle and sew with) Please note:I make a lot so I cut a lot! 

then for some tiny hearts..iron Bondaweb or similar to the back of your chosen fabric...and draw on your heart shape...note the nice sharp pencil...a miracle in this house to a) find a pencil, b) find a sharp pencil or c) find any pencil and a pencil sharpener within a mile of each other...

I then spend a relaxing time with Radio 4 or some nice music playing and cut out all my little hearts...bless them! Don't forget to take the PAPER backing off before you try to iron them on...



aren't they cute?

so with care iron on the heart to the bird shape...take care not to iron the felt as it won't like it!

next cut out a little beak in a different coulour of craft felt...and then pin the bird shapes and beaks to a bigger piece of felt...this make it soo much easier to sew (here I've used a piece of felted wool jumper) WARNING!! do not try to sew a small bird on it's own as it'll drive you nuts!

sew carefully round the bird shape close to the edge... make sure you include the beak...(not shown here cos I forgot!)

I then free machine round the heart but you can do it with a normal foot if you prefer...

and ta da..a row of little birds appears ...

it is a lovely moment when you cut them out and they become proper little birds...

just something missing...look away if you don't like operations as the next bit looks painful... but I'm sure they don't mind!

mm and they must look real as Basil is showing a great deal of interest...



or maybe it's just that it's cold out there and warm and snug in here...

To finish... sew a nice brooch pin onto the back and wear with pride at your craftyness...celebrate the handmade and welcome in the spring!

and talking of handmade...check out UK Handmade's magazine...bright new spring issue here

Have a great week...and I hope, fingers crossed, to be in opening Etsy mode soonest...I will keep you posted (I'm still doing photos and writing the blurb trying to make sure it's all perfect and looking lovely for you!)xx

PS and I'me feeling a Giveaway for spring coming on...