The Festivals of Love

Life has been so busy these past few months I've fallen way behind with the blog but seem to be keeping on track with everything else!

I've been busy in life. Weddings galore this year.

Only a few weeks ago I went to my friends beautiful coastal, sunflower themed wedding.

I was fortunate enough to supply my third wedding with handmade flowers. This time I made boutonnieres for all the guests in cherry & wine red. How lovely does everyone look?

A few weeks ago Octo: The Moody Octopus, said bye bye to his temporary home at Liverpool Central Library.

Deflating his 42 inch head took an age but I didn't mind looking like an idiot lying on the library floor trying to deflate him. Love how many members of the public came to see if I was ok, thinking i’d had a fall!

Octo had a fabulous time at The Library, apparently he was very much loved by the cruise ship tours. He’ll be back again next month at a new home!

I've taken a big step back on the number of craft fairs I've been doing this year so a number of reasons but I could not resist the chance to work with the folks at Capstans Bazaar again especially for such a big festival in my home town. The Liverpool Loves; The People's Festival!

It was the HOTTEST day on the water front; we had the Liver Building as a backdrop one one side & the River Mersey on the other. Live music, local independent food vendors, pop up bars, Morning Gloryville; it was spectacular!



I'm super thrilled to announce that my next fair is going to be The Winter Arts Market in the beautiful Anglican Cathedral.

Me & the boy had a little jaunt to London for a much needed mini-break. 3 whole days work free...it was heaven but I did look forward to coming home with a head full of new ideas!



I've been on a fabulous photography course with the super talented Katy Munch, don't know if you can tell by my recent product shoots but I feel I learnt a valuable lesson or two!

My full Halloween range will be up by the end of this week; weather permitting! An I'm full steam ahead into the “festive” season - this & the joy of working full time too! I'm actually early for the first time in three years!

If anyone would like a commission on the run up to the end of the year may I suggest sooner rather than later! Last year I closed my books in November...handmade with love takes time!

A Catch Up coz I am Rubbish!

First of all let me apologise for being so quiet of late, I work a day job 3 days a week, work in The Duke Street Bazaar 1 day a week & then weekends are always events! I've also been away on a gorgeous family holiday (first one in 9 years!) which was much needed. Sadly whilst we where away a friend of mine & my boys died so once back we had the funeral.

Family selfie! Horrible but hilarious!

This was the view from the cocktail bar, yeah I nearly cried leaving!

It's also been an insanely busy two months! I have JUST caught up with my emails & as soon as we got home had to hit the crafty ground running!

My inbox was full of commissions, places in want of workshops & I had 2 major events to partake in (more on them in a later post), events to decorate & lots & lots of family occasions!

Small amount of baby shower decorations!

Friends Birthday Treats!

Little Sisters Graduation!

I've been run down for about 2 weeks now & in lots of pain with my kidneys so Im writing this at 3.50pm on a rainy Sunday afternoon, still in my pyjamas under the duvet as starting tomorrow life returns to what has become "normal". I, however am not complaining as its brilliant at the moment (although the cat is driving me mad!)

So this week be warned! There will be multiple blog posts! I have a lot to tell you all & a favour to ask so keep your eyes peeled!

I also need a new title for this blog as its a bit poo & I'm having some issues with Eastern European search engines....another reason for me being so quiet! All suggestions welcome!

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!

Just wanted to give you a quick heads up that I will be having an Etsy sale starting on the 28th in case you fancy treating yourself once Christmas is over ;)

Gift box for REX competition!

Those local to me Im also having a sale at Rex starting the 27th! Some items have up to 30% off coz Im feeling festive!

Christmas Party at REX!

I've been a bit quiet of late whilst I've been making millions of candy canes & Christmas pudding decorations & I've been up to my eyes in commissions! I've put a few pictures below but A LOT are Christmas presents so cant show too much! Some are AMAZING & I'm feeling really pleased with myself so I'll post them on Facebook & Twitter on the 26th ;)

Ben's 1st Birthday bunting commission!

Vintage style ruffle purse!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all your support since April, everyone who has attended a stitch n bitch, a workshop, bought from me from a stall, placed a commission or liked/retweeted a social media post! I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas whatever you get up too! ;)

Big thanks to Lisa Takes Pictures for this! Pudding on a tree!

I'm at the in-laws this Christmas, first one away from home!

Crochet Christmas lights!

My stocking on a Christmas Tree! 

Custom stocking colours!

Long mittens & baby hat!

Mix of REX shop, Christmas goods & commissions!

The Winter Arts Market :)

London!

On Monday me & the boy set off to London for a jaunt for his birthday (he's now 32! Makes me feel old as I organised his 25th birthday drinks!) and had a wonderful time!

The weather was great, the hotel was hilariously basic with its white walls, white bedding, white bathroom, white mirror and kettle (themed as a mental asylum we felt). To use the loo you had to tuck your knees under the sink, there was no bedside table (here is my Four In A Bed addiction coming out!) and the table was just a piece of (painted white) wood screwed onto the wall.

Birthday boy eating cake in the white room

Poppies at The Tower of London

We managed to cram a lot into our full 3 days including The Imperial War Museum (AMAZING!), Buckingham Palace, Camden Lock (spent most of the boys birthday in Mega City Comics but...), The Natural History Museum, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and The Tower of London for the poppies! They are incredible and change the tone of the area completely.

Quick cheeky phone camera shot!

I even found wool wrapped around the railings of Southwalk Cathedral! Sadly this Campaign for Wool event is taking place this weekend and we where slaves to the day job/scheduled return train tickets/income/no hotel so could not stay for it but I would have loved to have seen it! Managed to get a quick sneeky look at them installing the main hall display

Wool weaved around the railings

You would have thought we would have had a nice break and after resting my injuries I'd be raring to go business wise but no...we are sick!

Big Boy/Little Boy

Mountain goat look at your coat!

Sun's out, guns out!

Sick at the Poppies....

Spent yesterday curled up on the couch feel frustrated as I couldn't accomplish anything!!

So this week you are to expect:

* Shop update!
* Halloween goodies!
* Charity event announcement!
* Winter workshop dates!

If I fail on any of these you are allowed to give me a kick up the bum reminder :)

Boy at The Tower of London

Dino photobomb!

Have you ever been on a craft based holiday??

Prevent Craft Based Injuries!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the benefits of knitting article I posted on the social media sites (Facebook & Twitter) but I want to discuss the flip side to it, the injuries it can cause. An I'm not reffering to the pointy end of a knitting needle.....

The holiday season is upon us crafter's!

This means late night knitting and crocheting and panic making things whilst trying to multi-task everything else!

Now I suffer from pains in my neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, pins-and-needles and numbness. All craft related. I'm only 25, my crafty career is not going to last the year if I don't start looking after my tools properly!

Working a lot can put terrible strain on our joints, (I learnt how to knit as a result of my Nan no longer being able to due to her arthritis) and after having such a busy commission week I am in agony, so taking care of yourself during the biggest crafting season is very important!

Beware of RSI

Below are some links that should help prevent injury because you have to ask yourself this; if you couldn't craft, what else would you do?

Knitting Yoga & Exercises 

Knitting for charity pain free

Hand exercises help

Shoulder & neck pain are common

Knitters Advice 

Knitting Based RSI Prevention

How to prevent injury whilst crocheting

My personal favourite for crochet advise is this Pinterest board I follow - CROCHET.without.injury 

Take care of yourself! I'm off on my holidays till Saturday and I have banned myself from crafting to allow my aches and pains to heal....I'll have twitching fingers by Wednesday.

Do you have any advice that you swear by?