Happy New Year

Here's to a fabulous 2014!!!

So to start the New Year I've cleared out my studio and it feels great! No piles of paper and things on top of things on top of more things!!!  

Next, plan out the year, well so far I've only managed to think about what might happen in the next few weeks. So 

TO DO LIST

1) Make aprons, tea towels & napkins for the Vesey Rooms exhibition. 

2) Create new designs!!!

Yippee. I can't wait. I want to create some more patterns in my Burford Green range. My Star Jasmine design has gone down very well, so I want to create some complimentary patterns. 

I was given some lovely books for Christmas about Wallpaper design and also a William Morris book so I have plenty of inspiration.

3) Plan colour workshops.

At the beginning of December a fabric shop open in our village, its amazing, full of gorgeous fabrics and wool. So I can now get all my cotton and ribbons from just a stones throw away! Brilliant.

I'm going to be doing some colour workshops there as well. These will start with some colour theory then go on to explore colour, complimentary colours and how colour is affected by what surounds it. Looking forward to exploring colour and helping other people to have confidence in their own choices.

4) Plan craft shows for the rest of the year. 

5) Marketing.

Starting a course run by Handmade Horizons at the end of January. I can't wait. I know I have lots to learn especially about selling on line! Its a whole new world to me!

6) New Photos.
This year I want to re vamp the photo's for my shop, old and new products. 

My latest advert for my Christmas range.

My new range of Christmas cards.

Oooh I do love a bit of gold glitter!

I love Christmas, I always get so excited and now the clocks have changed its really winter so I can start planning with gusto! I love thinking about the entertaining that I want to do and organise the food menus, think about what and when to decorate. I even have a special notebook where I write my menu plans, shopping list and top tips. Its actually good to look back on as well to see what I cooked and for how many people! And this year I'm going to be wearing my new Christmas Apron!

So I've been loving making my Christmas Aprons, Tea Towels and Napkins ready for the Christmas Craft show season! My first one is a my nephew's school with several others in the following few weekends.

My Christmas Aprons and Tea Towels are ready

I've also made up gift sets, complete with gift tag to write your message on and mini peg to attach to your gift!

just the napkins to make now!

As we say good bye to summer today, I've been planning my Craft Fairs for the run up to Christmas.

So starting with:-

21st September  'Made in Oxfordshire Arts and Crafts' Bloxham

16th November Felsted Christmas Fair - now confirmed

23rd & 24th November Sobell Charity Christmas Fair

7th December Witney Art Rooms Christmas Fair

Best get sewing!

I've been getting ready for this craft show in the last few days. I know its a few weeks away but I want to make sure I have plenty of stock. So I've made more cards, tea towels & napkins. I should be getting some more fabric tomorrow so next weekend I'll be making more aprons.

I've also been planing some Christmas craft fairs. I'm hoping to do one at Radley College in aid of the Sobell Hospice Charity on saturday 23rd & sunday 24th November. Also Felsted School Christmas craft fair and another one in Witney on the 7th December.

So I'll be busy sewing as fast as I can and making Christmas cards too. My first 2 Christmas cards...

...and many more to come!

After my last craft stall back in June, I decided to make more cards, as these seemed to sell the best.

I've gone for a patchwork style. I also used some other fabric to make the pink cards. I found a couple of old tops to cut up. I'm pleased with the results.

I've been working out how to display them. My Dad made me a couple of lovely display racks but I need more space, so I've made these ones out of card. I hope they will be strong enough.

I also ordered a Coat Stand to hang my Aprons on. I'm hoping it will be more obvious what they are now!

I've got a wedding coming up and I know my friends are both into cooking so I've done  His & Hers label for my Aprons. I hope they like them!

And just as I was about to wrap them I realised I should have put their names on the labels! So I re-did the labels...

...so much better.

I'm now going to offer personalised tags when I sell my Aprons!

Have spent this morning photographing my aprons so I can put them in my shop.

I've also been experimenting with new colours and scales.

I've just received the colour swatch for this and I'm really pleased. I think its a great kitchen colour!