and the winners are...

courtesy of an online random number generator, are...

number 13, which is Kitty, 

and number 21, which is French Knots.

So, ladies, if you would kindly email me your addresses, I will take a trip down to the post office later this week.  As neither of you has expressed a preference as to which one you'd like, I'll wrap them up, and then write the addresses on, so it will be a surprise to all!

(I must, must, must, also sort out my 'PIF' gifts too, I haven't forgotten!)

Oh, and by the way...

'FARM'

has arrived in the Etsy shop

(and no, this is not an April fool joke, I promise!)

Tidying up...

I've been having a bit of a tidy round in my sewing room, and it occurred to me that there are too many things collecting dust...

I designed these two stumpwork greetings card kits a few years ago now, each one includes all the thread, fabric and instructions to complete and mount the embroidered portrait, and I'm going to give them away.  Leave a comment and let me know which you would like, the prince or the princess, and I'll draw two winners on sunday.

And again, just for fun, can you also let me know what sewing machine you use or recommend?.  My machine is going bang, bang, bang, instead of sew, sew, sew, I think I may be in the market for a new one!

PS, You may (or may not!) have noticed over the last few weeks there have been a few changes to my blog layout and colours.  I've started learning a bit about how web sites are put together and how 'html' code works, it's very confusing at first but is gradually all starting to make sense.  For anyone with a Blogger blog, try this site for ideas and ways you can personalise a basic minima blog template.

I think I need some chocolate...

After reading this post on 'Pretty Little Things' blog yesterday, I guess it's only a matter of time until we all face similar issues.  Within the design industry, copying and copyright is an issue all designers are wary of.

(don't panic, they now have wings!)

Creative inspiration and ideas come from what we see around us every day, internet, books, magazines, cards, etc, but the key to making it your own, is to apply a design process to those initial ideas. I myself, take inspiration from my fellow craft bloggers, but always credit and link to, where that initial idea came from.  I feel sad when others don't.

This post has been edited, the matter is moved on from, but the subject, does still remain relevant.  Right, that finished, enough said, I am off for that chocolate, happy easter!

On my desk on wednesday...

...there are some new bits & bobs which will be soon available on Etsy.  Anyone else who makes things to sell will know what a learning curve it can all be, even with over 11 years experience as an in-house designer, there has still been a lot of trial and error, not to mention fitting crafting in around children wanting feeding, drinks, clean clothes and broken toy cars mending!

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the felt bag, my mum hasn't seen it yet, it was her birthday yesterday but I have kept hold of it for now as she is coming for a visit with us over easter weekend.

Have a good easter, I will be back next week, no doubt, a little spottier/heavier, from eating far too much chocolate, yum!

Mum, don't peak!

It's my Mum's birthday soon, and after the cushion I made for christmas went down so well, it has been difficult to know how to top that, until I spotted this tutorial on Betz White's blog.  So, after felting a wool cardigan, I set about making one of those lovely bags.

(front)

I've adapted it slightly by completely changing the colours, adding a lining, blanket stitch decoration to the edges, and a press stud flap for security.

(back)

Am very pleased with the result, and will simply have to make another!

(close up detail)

Thank you Betz for such an inspiring project idea!

Well now, down to the real business, this morning, there were 85 comments (sorry to those who were too late), after knocking it down to 84, as one person had commented twice, the winner, courtesy of an online random number generator, is...

49

which is Louise of LuluLollylegs!

Congratulations Louise, if you email me with your address, I'll get Rosie and a few added extras in the post.  Thank you to everyone who joined in and played along, some weird flavours of crisps there, salt & vinegar is most definitely quite a popular choice, gave me the munchies reading all the comments!

Giveaway time!

Well, also on the subject of sharing, I do think it is about time for another blog giveaway, don't you?

Anyone remember Rosie?

I've been looking through my blog archives and decided that I'm going to give Rosie away (plus some extra surprise bits & bobs), as a blogging birthday gift.  Lucykate Crafts is one year old on Sunday 9th March, so leave a comment between now and then, and I'll announce a winner on Monday, and just for fun, when you leave a comment, tell me what your favorite flavour of crisps (or 'chips' if you're from the USA) are... mine is salt & vinegar, and I eat far to many!

Remember, you've got to be in it, to win it!

Sharing...

As a parent, sharing is a quality I try to bestow within both my children.  Being able to share, is a valuable quality for a child to have, and thankfully, reduces the amount of squabbling as a result.  I love watching my two play together, even when it does come as a result of bellowing at them, 'No, they are not all yours, share please!'.

(charity shop buys from the weekend)

How much you are willing to share is a topic I'm sure all bloggers will have thought about.  I am in awe of how generous some can be with how much of their home, work, family and life they are willing to expose online, and sometimes wish that I was more comfortable with being more open myself.  I am, however, more guarded when it comes to my nearest and dearest, mainly down to the fact that it is here for anyone to see, the world wide web is exactly that, world wide.  It would be lovely to assume everyone who visits, reads, comments or links to this blog is a crafter, but I know that is not always the case and it would be naive to think so. 

 

For those bloggers who don't already have one, I would suggest adding some sort of a sitemeter, it can be quite an eye opener to see where your blog traffic is actually coming from, and who, where and what it is linking back to.

(two kittens in their finished cushions)

So, while you may not see many corners of my home (it's a mess), pictures of my children (they are lovely, but they pick their noses), and what we're having for dinner (pot noodle doesn't photograph well anyway!), but what you will see is a glimpse of someone who, after spending over 11 years working full time within the restraints of the UK textile industry, is currently lucky enough to be spending some time at home with little ones, and having lots of fun.  Making things with fabric and felt, aiming to build some kind of a small business out of it, whilst enjoying sharing this new found freedom with all of you!.

(more charity shop buys from the weekend)