Tuesday 24 June 2014

Eeeeeeeeeep!!!

OMG!!! (& I NEVER type that - that's how excited I am!!!)

I made the Ravelry home page eye candy section!  Out of 7,445 'bunting' projects on Ravelry, they picked my Daisy Chains project!

It is available for sale in my Etsy Shop as a finished item (made to order), and I will try to get the pattern published tomorrow.  I am far too excited to get it done tonight!!!

Time to celebrate - where's the bubbly??? :o)

Love & hugs
Claire Clutterbug xx

Saturday 21 June 2014

Happy Saturday!

I didn't mean to blog on a daily basis, but I've had such a lovely day I had to share, so hello again!

Firstly, our hard work in the garden is starting to pay off - we've got some lovely colourful blooms at the moment:

 My 'Nostalgia' rose - creamy white in the centre fading to deep burgundy at the the tips of the petals.  My favourite plant by a long way!
Some lovely colourful Dianthus - don't they just make you smile?

And my gooseberries look like they're ready!  I've got quite a crop this year!  (apologies to any arachnophobes - I wouldn't have got so close if I'd realised the little spider was making a web on them...but it's helping with pest control so I'll leave it be.

After doing the housework this morning, my husband and I pootled off to Abergavenny to have a nose around a house that's up for sale.  It was perfect, so just have to hope ours sells soon. Keep your fingers crossed. I love Abergavenny in case you hadn't guessed!

Whilst there, we popped into The Wool Croft to gaze lovingly at the yarns and have a little squish!  They sell such beautiful yarns....sigh.  I was tempted by some of the Katia Ribbon Yarn to make a little pouffe, but I have far too much to do at the moment so I resisted.

I couldn't, however, resist buying myself some strawberries, and my lovely husband bought me a little gift too!:
 Look what was inside - aren't they gorgeous?  A little set of four woodland lunchboxes from Cuddle and Cwtch - perfect for my packed lunch!  I can have one for crudites, one for houmous, one for strawberries and one for snacking nuts, seeds and fruits!
Whilst in Cuddle and Cwtch, looking at all the beautiful little dresses for little girls, I decided I just have to make something I've seen on Pinterest (but with my own twist of course!) It's a free pattern on Ravelry - Granny Square Crochet/Fabric Dress by Mon Petit Violon. I've been in love with the pattern for a while, but sewing is something of a chore for me. I don't know why - I enjoy embroidery and cross stitch, but for some reason I feel the same way about sewing construction as I do about cleaning the bathroom! But it's so cute I've got to give it a go.  So I bought a few metres of cotton fabric:

I love the first two fabrics, and with the two reds I'm toying with an idea for crocheting strawberries and cherries into the squares....I was all set to start on them tonight when I remembered I have loaned my sewing machine to someone, and they are on holiday so it will have to be put on hold for a couple of weeks.

So tonight I am making a daisy garland/bunting instead. Although I have just discovered Clipper Sleep Easy Tea (orange, cinnamon, chamomile and valerian mmmmmmmm yummy!)....so hopefully I won't doze off, crochet hook in hand!

Love & hugs
Claire Clutterbug xx



Friday 20 June 2014

New Pattern for sale!

Hi there, coo-eee, it's me again!

Bet you didn't think you'd hear from me again so soon - you were thinking I'd vanish for another year weren't you?!

Well here I am, after work on a Friday, keeping in touch with you lovely people.  I've been a busy little bee this week!  I've registered with HMRC as a sole trader (if you're selling your own hand-crafted items, please be aware that if you're selling more than one or two items to friends and family you do need to register with HMRC - it took me a while to find the information, but I did eventually - HMRC Guide). I've also had my business cards printed:



Aren't they cute?  I've had these made ready for handing out at craft fairs. Did I tell you I'll have a stall at Abergavenny Craft Market on 25th August (Bank Holiday Monday)? If you're in the area do pop in and say Hi!

I've also been thinking about making a few items that might be suitable for selling in shops. With this in mind, I designed this adorable little babygrow with a crocheted daisy chain applique:


This one is available to purchase in my Etsy shop, along with a few other new items I've added. Once I've increased my range a bit I plan on going to see people with independent baby clothes shops to see if they would consider stocking them - I'll let you know how I get on!

The reason I'm thinking of going down this route is I think a lot of people look for knit & crochet inspiration and patterns on the internet rather than finished items. I think they would prefer to be able to touch and feel a finished item before buying it, so I think selling finished items in an actual shop might be the way to go.

In the meantime I have finally started putting my pattern designs down onto paper (well...pdf documents!?!) The first one is my 'Ever Increasing Circles' Necklace and it is now up for sale on both Etsy and my Ravelry Store:

I've got the patterns for my trio of British Birds and the Clematis Garland scribbled on pieces of paper and will soon be typing them up into a form others will be able to make sense of!  

In the meantime, I have a busy evening of housework this evening - our house is up for sale and we have two viewings booked for tomorrow so I'd best get it looking it's best! Wish us luck...  

Have a fabulous weekend everyone.

Love & hugs
Claire Clutterbug xx