Poppy

I finished the poppy brooches and I did add leaves to all of them. They look great! I am thinking of making up a 'party bag' which I will add several items. I thought it would make a great gift and it has all the hard work of shopping done for you. Here are a couple of items as an example. The lovely little green sunflower cushion and my lovely magnets for your fridge or note board.


I need more light to take quality pictures so again I will have to wait and see. But here are a couple of the other brooches too. I hope you like them. Please take a peek in my store for other lovely items.

Dull

It is so dull in Wales today. I was taking some photos for my new listings in my shop and they look awful as they look so dull. I moved the spot light onto the area as well! Nooooooo I am obviously going to have to wait until a brighter day! I climbed up a chair and everything. Not a good idea as I am a bit wobbly with this virus! boo his. Well I was going to add a few picks for you to get the idea. But they wouldn't upload! Not a good day is it? But the main issue is...What are they you ask? Party bunting! Gorgeously yummy and delightful. I will add more photos later or tomorrow. xx

Perfect Poppies

Here is a sneaky peaky at my new line of Poppy brooches. They are not only beautiful but bold too. I am debating whether to add leaves to the poppies. I am going to make a few in different textiles including a velvet type of material. I have two main sizes small and large. The above poppies are large.


I went to the supermarket with my mum tonight. I was feeling awful but needed to get some food. As I was paying a lovely young lady mentioned how nice the poppy I was wearing was. I passed on a business card as you do! So that was nice. Anyway keep dropping in and if you have any questions please ask! I am going as I am feeling rough xxx

Found a new home

I have finished the baby sampler and it has been picked up and packed off to a new home! YEY!! I was very happy with the out come and it looked adorable- as you can see!


I have been making some poppy brooches but I will show them you another time! Take care! This ill person is going to watch TV!

Sew What!

Time to get on with the things I promised to make. Babies have been born time has passed so hop to it. I began sewing a little cross stitch piece taken from Helen Philipp's book The New Cross Stitch Sampler Book. Catchy title hey. It is a lovely book and I have stitched the majority of patterns in it. This is a sampler for the birth of my cousin's baby boy.


I have really got stuck in. So I am really getting ahead with it. As usual I kept mislaying my needle, a dangerous habit I may add. I remembered the strawberry pincushions I made a while ago. What handy little things they are. So here is the picture which demonstrates my usage. te he he. I am going to be good and get back to it. xxxxxxxxxxxxx




I am going to be good and get back to it. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry Self

Last week I was feeling a little better after a frightful cold and focusing on going on a course with work. However a day or so before going away I noticed an allergic reaction on my neck. It became itchy and spread a little. I had just changed three products from my usual items. Shampoo, conditioner and soap. I also changed my washing powder. I should have been more careful I thought. So I went away and was rather itchy and embarrassed by the rash. Things could be worse I said to myself. I used anti histamines and a cream too. But by today my neck and face were more uncomfortable and sore. I don't go to the doctors as I don't want to waste their time over things there is no cure for like colds or anything you can buy creams for over the counter!

Big mistake people! At the doctors today I was asked if I had had chicken pox. 'Yes, I think so' tubby Welsh girl replies. Her response after looking down my top and all around my shoulders was You have shingles I think! Oh great! me thinks! Dr announces that if I had come in within 2-3 days of noticing the rash I could have had tablets to help rid me of the virus but oh no not now! BUMMMMMMM!!!!!! So now I have cream and that is about it! I can take pain killers! GREAT! Things could still be worse. I know!

I am taking a sick day tomorrow as advised (feel bad about that) But I am off for nearly two weeks on holiday and that will be spent staying in getting better, and seeing if this thing goes away!

Lesson learnt! Go to the Doctors when you feel ill straight away! agghhhhh

Rememberance 'Poppy' Day

Lets all remember those who have given their lives for their beliefs. xxxxxxxxx

Practice Makes Perfect

I have been using my brother Niall's camera lately. It is fabulous. It is a rebel! No literally thats what it is called in America. I am not a great photographer but this has enbled me to get some fabulous images. So I have been practicing taking shots of anything and everything. As you can see from the pictures of a vintage crochet blanket I bought for £1.00 from a charity shop. I would say the majority of my pictures are average but the number of really good shots are creeping up with practice. Only thanks to Niall.


It is down to Niall that I have any photos at all as he loaned me another little camera a Sony Ciber-Shot but it is totally blown out of the water by the rebel. So little rebel is my best buddy now! Well it isn't little but I can carry it with relative ease as it is not too bulky or heavy and I have small hands.



I am going away tomorrow for a course in sunny Derby, England. Groan. I have my tickets and have yet to properly sort out my uniform. The annoying thing is I have to go to work for a couple of hours before coming back home getting changed into comfortable clothes and collect my case and bag. Then walk to the station. I am lucky this is all within walking distance as I would be peeved completely other wise.


I want to take some craft stuff with me to stave off boredom in the evenings but I don't want to take anything bulky. So I don't think I will take my knitting but I may as I really want to get on with a blanket I am knitting out of navy aran. I am really not choosing as I don't want to admit it is nearly time to go. Psycho! Ah well I must go and get a few things ready or they will be forgotten. I will blog when I get back next weekend probably. So wish me luck and send some positive vibes! xxxx

p.s here are some photo's of my Christmas decoration Yo Yo's.

Why Oh Why?

I finally have printed my business cards but what do you think happened next? Yes, you guessed it I cannot find my paper cutter! aaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhh. I know scissors work well but I wanted them spot on and no gradients! Bottom!!!!!!! Ahhh well I will have another root around after. I have hurt my neck and shoulder cutting up cardboard in work so I can't lift all the boxes in my cupboard. It is disgracefully full up and messy in there. I can't even blame anyone else as apart from our shoes the rest is all mine. ooppsss.

I have also printed some of my cherub photos. They were a test sample but have worked really well. They are only small but cute. I may add them to my shop but I have not decided. It was odd as the images I thought would print well were the worst. Typical isn't it?

I have a name for my dolly now and it is Daisy! So thanks to my friend Paula! Right I must go as I need to get crafty! xxxxx

p.s found the cutter! Here are the business cards all cut out!

It is time...

to get your Christmas items. But only from me of course! 'Why Yes', you all shout!


I made some lovely multi coloured Yo Yo Christmas decorations to hang on the Christmas tree or a garland. Of course that is your choice. Actually they would be fun decoration for all year round or even birthdays. I used 100% cotton as always, so they are lovely and soft. Hey ho! Take a peeky!

whew

Had a few folks around last night until about 3am. It seems like a lifetime since I did this. We all had a bit of booze and a lovely Chinese meal from Ko Sing our local takeaway. YUMMMM. So I am a little tired today. I was well behaved because when I got up I cleaned up straight away. I did some before I went to bed. Miracles do happen!


Jo had had her hair coloured. It looked lovely. It had streaks of turquoise in it. That's her voguing in my front room. Jess came straight from her job at Lush so she smelt gorgeous. Here she is sticking her tongue out at you all.


The men folk inevitably went for a gaming session in the end room and here is the proof. The ladies sat around our kitchen table chatting about mortgages and witchcraft, not how to combine the two or anything.


So this weekend crafting is being put on hold. Of course I will check in from time to time with my shop. I have been asked by Jess to hold parties at Lush, so that will be ace and a great way to advertise and sell my products. I will be adding some new items to my shop this week so please take a look you never know something may take your fancy! Don't forget to vote about what you would like to see here. The vote section is at the left of my blog. Happy weekending!

woohoo-Emily Martin-The Black Apple

Recently I splurged out on some lovely prints from The Black Apple. I say 'splurge' but it was more than reasonably priced so I bough two prints! I have been able to lend my brothers camera so I can now take decent photo's.(as good as a beginner like me can)



Emily at The Black Apple added a lovely post card above along with the prints so I am rather chuffed as I love that one! My partner Stoatie is scared of squirrels. He is convinced they are after him. Ha ha. I have every intention of torturing him with this post card by hanging it in a prominent position when we move! I am waiting to find two extra special frames for the prints however this is proving a little tricky. I have trawled second hand shops and new but alas the moment has not arrived yet. Anyway moving on.




Do you remember some time back, ok quite some time back I posted an entry about a dolly I was making and how I would finish her? Low and behold I have finished her! Yes it is no lie. I stopped shirking the growing craft corner and got to grips with creating her. She has gorgeous crochet hair made from ribbon yarn. She had a very special belly button, oh yes, a button for her button!


Here she is in and out of her glory! I am really pleased as it took me such a long time to work up the courage how to do her features. I put in many hours of work to get her to this stage so I hope you all appreciate it! he he he! xx Well please have a good nose at her and enjoy. Don't forget to check out my shop for the latest additions! Please call in again as I have lots to come! xxx

Yo Ho Ho

Using 100% cotton fabric and thread I have transformed an age old pattern into something extra special. I have captured a special and unique feeling for a new heirloom. Dainty they maybe but luxurious and sturdy too. Each one is designed to jingle when they are hung onto a Christmas tree or onto a garland. When you brush past each Yo Yo they will delightfully jungle cheekily at you.




I have coordinated lovely Bordeaux coloured fabrics each with different patterns to make lovely and varying sized Yo Yo's. They hang by a silky ribbon loop. To see them in their sets take a look in my shop. I will be adding more soon but I have used more colourful fabric. I do hope you like them.





I am thinking of other new items too and will give you a tutorial on how to make your own lovely items. I intend to keep you all very busy!

Groan and moan!

I must let you all know...I am ill! I have an awful cold and have had to take time off work. I have even been too ill to blog. I can't go out which is a pain! I desperately need batteries so I can take some lovely photos for this bloggy. I have lots to show and tell you so bare with me and I will be back soon. xxxx

FOR SALE

The time has finally come. I have put my flat or as you say abroad apartment up for sale. I am in need of my little own private garden. I dream of barbeque's and drinking wine whilst sitting around a lovely wrought iron table. I imagine the cooling air with the scents of lavender and honey suckle tickling my nose. Dancing coloured roses watching over as I am surrounded by mini lantern lights. ooohhhhh the dream. At least I am one step further to that dream now. So here is the lovely beauty a large flat/apartment, come on now take the plunge and invest in your own dream. he he he, Home.

I must add this is the reason for my serious lack of blogging. I have been decorating and de-cluttering the flat. Along with going full time in work. So I am rather wiped out. I wasn't feeling too creative so I opted for watching the series Millennium over several nights. I still have a lot to go! What I did finally do was adding hair to a doll I started at the beginning of the year. I just kept looking at her and not daring to finalise the hair or face. Well now she has lovely hair crocheted using a ribbon yarn. It looks darling! Yet again I need to get some batteries to show you the hair but I might wait until I finish her face.


Here she is before I made her dress and added hair.



I have also been asked to make a couple of cross stitch pieces for a family member and a friend of my mums. I haven't stitched in a while and am a little apprehensive. I don't know why as it is silly really. I think it is due to not really getting going with a large cross stitched piece that was going to be for my dad. I think I made half a dozen stitches. oops. Ah well I will get on with it though. Speaking of which I must get on with a few things now. Take care and thank you for stopping by! xxxx

Winter's Coming!

Oohh isn't it just! It's getting chilly in olde Blightie! Brrrrrr I have just put on the central heating! Oh no!!! I know it is nearly winter as I have a great hankering for STEW!! I had this little yummyness for lunch on my day off!! ooohhhhh



Right back to it, remember those lovely little strawberry pincushions I made earlier???...Yes...I have finally finished them. As it is dark I need to wait to photograph them properly. It just isn't bright enough in this flat! Here is a yummy taste test! I will show them individually as soon as I can! Have a great one!





P.S I have taken photos and listed them on etsy.

TheLittleStitcher.etsy.com

Paintings, Werthers originals and Murder She Wrote

I have been painting a piece I have wanted to do for ages. It is inspired by a recent trip up the road to a local village called Coedpoeth in Wrexham, North Wales. It is really hilly and has many winding roads. The houses are mainly sandstone (I think), sandy colours turning brown and darkest cocoa. They are so pretty and are very picturesque. The village gardens are so well kept and are blooming. It isn't a grand place but a village of workers and families. The main street has a little cake shop and a fish and chip shop. OOhhh an two pubs! So the basics are certainly covered!
When I returned home my creative juices began to flow. Here is the result! A lovely acrylic painting on canvas with collage houses.


















I enjoyed the process and am pleased with the results. So it is now hanging in my bathroom whilst I take a step back and think aboutt additional changes.
On the relaxing angle of life I have been watching Murder She Wrote like a loon! EEEEE its great! I have been eating Werther Originals (toffee sweets) yum, while I watch it. There's nothing like a god murder as my mum says! Off to watch another!

New

I have been busy with new listings on etsy.
At The Little Stitcher you can find a whole host of loveliness. I have been busy sewing some lovely pin cushions too. I have used 100% cotton. I kept saving the fabric for something special and it didn't used. So I used the different patterns for these strawberry's. I am so glad as they turned out extra special. I am going to put them on etsy. I just want to add some ribbon to the top like a stalk so they can be pinned or tied onto things. I made two sizes large and small. I think I will sell them two together as they will look super cute.

I will go to our local market 'the butcher's market' for the ribbon. They have lots of stalls in the market ranging from crafts, jewelery, meat, cheese, fish, brewers supplies, sweets by the quarter or whatever the new wights are in and a little cafe too. I love getting my meats, cheese, fish and cans of pop from there. It is a lovely friendly place. I had some lovely pear droip sweets the other day. I ate the whole bag in about 20 minutes! yummmm

Well keep safe I will post some new picks when the pin cushions are finished!

P.S I am offering a FREE surprise gift with selected purchases at etsy, so take a look!

stop the clocks!!!!

I have done it! Finally. My very first Etsy sale! woo hoo! Now I need to make many more. I am chuffed but there is such a long way to go.

I haven't been on here too much as I have started to learn to drive. I tried before I got ill and failed my test. My examiner on the day brought out another guy and explained he was being examined on examining! He asked if it was ok for the other man to sit in my back seat. I said yes like the twit I was. So inevitably I got too nervous when I made a mistake, therefore I made more and more and failed. duuuhhhh. So then I got ill. And here we are up to date and Mable is on the road again! So my kind mother has been taking me around Wrexham and I have done my best not to kill her via a collision. I don't feel very hopeful of passing though. It would help if I actually got some 'proper' lessons. I will next month as money is tight. Lessons combined with driving around with mum will help a lot.

I am also hoping to move but I am not sure. I am so worried about the stress of it all. How mad is that, worrying about worrying! CRAZY! Ahh well we will see. I keep imaging being in a Victorian terrace at Christmas. It would be so nice as they are quite big in Wrexham. I have seen some modern properties near where I grew up, not too close but familiar enough. What will be will be! Take care xxxx