Tea Cosies, Decisions and Movember

Good morning everyone and a very warm welcome to a couple of new followers. Before I start I'd like to know who is switching the lights off in the mornings, isn't it grim?!!

I was busy beavering away making tea cosies yesterday and I thought you might like to see.....


Had lots of fun thinking.......

.......snipping and placing .......

and sewing ........

.......a pink one...

and a red gingham one........

............and a little house one.

All now listed in Folksy. My needlecases have been popular and so todays' chores are to make a fresh batch but there again, I also received a nice big box in the post a few days ago

inside were these.......

...........and so I need to put them to good use as well. Decisions, decisions.


Before I bid you farewell, spare a thought for me won't you as I'm having to put up with this at the moment....

....well I'm not, my hubby is (tee hee). Whilst I'm all for supporting a good cause, why did he have to go for the 'trucker special'!! Seriously though I am very proud of him and after galavanising his work colleagues they've managed to raise a few hundred so far. Well done OHx

Speaking of good things why not pop over to Pickle Lily's blog, she's got a giveaway on at the moment and it's one not to be missed.

That's all for now, but do come back tomorrow when I can share with you what I gave to my friend for her birthday. I'm going out tonight to help her to celebrate and I know she sometimes dips into this blog so I can't show you just yet.

Have a lovely weekend and massive thank you to you all for visiting this week, I've loved reading your comments and your blogs and really appreciate my bloggy mates!

Handmade Monday - Tea Cosy

Good morning everyone and hello and a warm welcome to one or two new followers. This week for Wendy's Handmade Monday I'm afraid I've gone in for a bit of shameless self promotion. My offering is a custom made item I did for a lovely lady this week who loved a particular design but wanted to choose her own wording - no problem.



"Oh what a lovely cup of tea"

 This got me thinking, maybe I should be pushing this as a service to all my customers, says she like a seasoned business professional....not! I'm dipping my toe into Etsy and Folksy where suddenly I seem to be getting noticed, and this is great but from comments left last week, I realise that not all of you were aware I even had an online shop!

This brings me to ASSUME....... (bear with me)

Many moons ago as a green graduate trying to find my way in life, I found myself on yet another sales course, with my eyes glazing over, then the trainer said "Never assume anything because it makes an ASS out of U and ME" tittering at his own joke,  I just yawned at another sales mnenomic but now I get what he meant. You have to tell people about things otherwise how are they going to know! So everyone please feel free to visit my shops on Folksy or Etsy by clicking on my sidebar buttons. I'll be happy to help you.

There I feel better now I've got that out of my system.

I'll miss Handmade Monday for the next couple of weeks as I'll be away but will try to dip in and say hello if I manage to spy anywhere with internet access.

Finally, thankyou to Arbee Cards for featuring one of my needlecases in their Folksy Friday feature. They make the most wonderful vintage inspired cards for all occasions.
Oh yes nearly forgot, if you haven't done so already do pop over to my giveaway and see what goodies are on offer.

Handmade Monday - Practical but Pretty

I can't believe it's Monday again, and that means 'Handmade Monday'. It was my first time last week and I was amazed at the lovely contributions and talented bunch of individuals that are out there. Why not visit their blogs? Thanks to wonderful Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts for hosting such a good idea. Make sure you pop over to say hello or better still why not join in with your own hand made make.

This week is all about practicality.  I love my mid morning coffee but nothing gets me started first thing like a good old 'cuppa tea'.  My problem is that the first cup usually doesn't touch the sides, but by the time I get around to my second, the pot's gone cold!  So this called for drastic action, (well it didn't really I'm just trying to make the most of a weak build up) and so I made a tea cosy.

I really enjoyed making this as it gave me a chance to use a new toy.......drum roll....... my 'Big Shot' (who thought of that name!***!!!) It's basically a die cutting machine and I love it because not only does it cut through paper, plastic, and thin metal, to name but a few, but also......FABRIC! I had great fun cutting out the flowers with my new flower die which I purchased from Vicky at Crafting Clare's paper moments and I just know I'll be paying her another visit sometime soon to add another die to my collection of one.

It certainly saved alot of time.  More time to embroider........

 and make loops....

 and make linings......

In fact it saved me enough time to sit down and have a ..... cup of tea.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I received the floral fabric. I had won it on an Ebay auction and the colours didn't really look much like their on line photograph. However, I love a challenge and pretty soon I'd found just the perfect complementary fabric from my stash.  Now of course, I love it.

Spent a lovely Sunday morning with friends, browsing at a local vintage market, lovely stalls, lovely bits, some of which may make an appearance on a later post - watch this space!