On my Sewing Table.... Spring Makes

There are definite signs of Spring popping up everywhere, and its amazing how these glimpses of life give you renewed energy. Its like coming out of hibernation and where as in the house its making me want to spring clean and have a clear out, in my studio area I've been busy working, hoarding away new items, like a squirrel hoards its nuts, waiting for some light to come into the house so I can photograph these items. And yesterday finally the sunshine arrived, though it wasn't easy. I chased the sunshine from room to room, desperately trying to photograph my new stuff. My shop is looking rather bare at the moment and I can't wait to renew it. To organise it, to freshen it up. Unfortunately the sunshine disappeared rather too quickly so I didn't manage to get everything done. And quite a few of the photos I've taken I have had to rather heavily edit so I am hoping that the weather man has the forecast right and that we are in for a sunny dry spell.

I wrote the above on the 6th of March, and in fact the weather man did predict the weather correctly and we did have a lovely couple of weeks with real Spring like weather. We had sunshine and even felt some warmth! But unfortunately minutes after writing the above my laptop shut itself down and died on me!! And so that was that. 

What it did mean was without the distractions that the online community has to offer (!) I did get quite a bit of sewing done, and the sunshine did mean that I got to take quite a few photos. Though without being able to upload the photos I couldn't check the quality and I am disappointed with quite a few of them as I've unfortunately taken them on too high an exposure setting. Anyway working with the ones I've got and now that I have a new laptop, I am hoping to get my new items listed by the start of next week and hopefully then my shop will be filled with some lovely rays of Spring sunshine!

Favourite Finds

Image credits: clockwise from top left lmkremer, TheBlueberryElephant, RGideas, MarinskiHandmades, BagDoRi,

Some of my favourite finds on Etsy.

• Wonderland T-shirt from Imkremer retro inspired clothing for kids. This shop is colourful. I really wish I'd found it when my children were still babies!
• Wool baby booties by The Blueberry Elephant another shop I wish I had discovered when my children were young. The colours of the woollen goodies in this shop are beautiful, Anja obviously has a real eye for colour. The layout is stunning such a gorgeous feast for the eyes.
• Knee high knitted socks by RGideas these look amazing. I've liked so many of the items in this shop. And if it doesn't warm up soon I think I will have to treat myself to these socks or maybe the leg warmers!
• Ceramic Bowl from Marinski Handmades this is a gorgeous shop filled with sweet hand painted bowls and ceramic jewellery.
• Yellow Backpack by BagDoRi now I really don't need another backpack, or do I! This shop is full of practical, modern bags to tempt!

I keep telling myself that I should be thinking of spring but I'm finding it difficult, what with the horrendous weather we have been having of late. I've started working with some lovely yellow fabrics but keep getting drawn back to my pile of greys! Well the colour does match the sky outside! I've even found myself back window shopping for warm cosy woollens, thinking that a pair of knitted knee high socks like the ones above wouldn't be a bad idea for this weather! Oh come on Spring hurry up and come!

On my Sewing Table

This week I've been busy working on custom orders. I've had a lot of interest from people asking me to make baby burp cloths to sell separately from the bibs, which I'm very happy to do and are hoping to place some for sale in my shop next week. Though I can't quite decide whether to sell them in pairs, in bundles of threes or as single burp cloths! Decisions decisions! I've also been busy sewing some patchwork bibs for an order. I love making this style of bib as I get to delve into my fabric stash and have great fun playing around with prints and colours. These three lucky bibs are heading of to Hong Kong but more will be popping up in my shop soon!

I Covet!

I'm a great admirer of Orla Kiely's work, there is little that she does that I don't covet! From her bags and purses to her HeatTech collection with Uniqlo, to her reusable shopping bags with Tesco's I am an avid fan. So when I read last year that Orla Kiely was bringing out her first ever shoe collection with Clarks I was very excited! And the capsule collection containing six key styles doesn't disappoint. The use of Orla's patterns and retro colours have produce timeless vintage style shoes with a modern twist, and the attention to detail as ever looks amazing. As Clarks say, she is 'The Queen of Prints'! I adore the green 'Maltida' sandals but unfortunately I just don't 'do' heels! So her mustard Mary Janes are much more my thing. If only I could think of an occasion that I need them for or reason to justify buying them other than, I just really want them!

Colour to Inspire...........

I've found myself pinning a lot of images this last week that are grey and brown. 

Influenced highly one thinks by the grey skies of January, but all the images have a hint of a muted yellow or gold, 

which helps remind me that the sunshine is on its way, I just need to be a bit patient!

Image credit Millie Marotta

Image credit Bonnie Christine - Sweet as Honey - Fly by in Night

Image credit textile designer Bec Duff

Image credit print by Eloise Renouf

Image credit Eleanor Pritchard woven blankets

Plotting!

The New Year is good for plotting.

I think the start of a new year has that affect on you. I'm not talking making resolutions that you struggle to keep, but the making of plans, ideas and dreams. 

I'm feeling the need to organise and de-clutter. I'm feeling the urge to get on top of those little jobs that never get done and finish the ones that are half started. 

And I'm really feeling the need to get making and sewing all the ideas that have been occupying my thoughts for the last few months.

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A Happy New Year

Christmas 2013 has been and gone and New Year is upon us. We've had a lovely time celebrating, quietly with close family and friends and quietly is exactly how we will be seeing in the New Year. It's been quite a few years since we celebrated lavishly in fact I will probably be tucked up in bed long before the chimes at midnight begin to ring! Tonight I will be curling up on the sofa admiring our Christmas tree with all its decorations that hold many happy memories, being warmed by our wood fire and enjoying a glass or two of wine!

2013 has been a good year for 'a crafty hen' and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings. 

Thank you all so much for your support, A Crafty Hen' wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you! 

Now where is that glass of wine!  

Whatever you are up to tonight enjoy and stay safe and I wish you all a 'Happy and Healthy New Year.' 

See you in 2014!