Saturday 28 May 2011

creating a..... mess!!!

This week i didn't have my usual crafting day, so have had to make up for it, with some time grabbed here or there.
On Wednesday i went to good old Dunelm mill. They have a fabric sale and I managed to grab myself some reduced canvas type fabric. I had recently sold quite a few of my glasses cases, so needed some fairly sturdy fabric to make up some more.




         

                                             





I've actually already sold three of these. yeah!

I've also been sticking.....one of my daughters friend had a birthday and my little girl needed a quick (little) present. So that got me sticking quite a few of these.





The problem with all this making, is it makes a golly big mess. So today when my hubby was out I started my surprise for him. I know my man well. I know what he likes.....and that.. is a tidy house. Unfortunately...I'm so not tidy. I hoard little pieces of fabric in carrier bags and this is gathered in, what most people call their downstairs toilet!! So I set out to clear up and sort out my fabric stash. However, sorting really does create a huge mess.......







With a little time and a some ruthless de-cluttering I achieved my aim. I tidied and cleared and put the newly filled boxes back into the little room. I felt great relief and was pleased with myself........Then this happened....



The boxes toppled over and i had to, once again, sort out the mess!!

Hubby was pleased on his return though x

Tuesday 24 May 2011

No sew Wednesday

I can't sew tomorrow. There's not going to be time tomorrow with one thing or another. So I've come home tonight and finished off a couple of sets of cushions just to make up for it.
These are a one off as I've no more of this Laura Ashley fabric and it's discontinued.....



So tomorrow I'm taking another step into the "starting a new business" world and its all very exciting.

More fabric arrived today...I love fabric parcels, beautifully wrapped and pressed. This fabric is just some of the fabric that will go towards the commission that I have for a nursery set. Some lovely greens and blues...pretty

The children break up from school on Friday and this is going to mean not a lot of time to get any crafting done. I'm hoping the rest of my commission fabric will arrive by the weekend, so I can make some progress before the madness of next week.

Sunday 22 May 2011

not much making

I've not made anything since Wednesday...not cut out or measured up.

My daughter who's birthday it was last weekend was having her birthday shopping, "it's not a party", pizza thing yesturday. So there was definately no time for making. I might be getting withdrawal symptoms! Perhaps I'll get the machine out this afternoon.

I have had a good few days of selling. Two glasses cases have been sold from my folksy shop http://www.folksy.com/shops/KayBees . I've also got my first proper commission!! An old friend, who has been following my "makes" on facebook, asked if I'd like to make a nursery package for her son. She wants a space theme, so I sourced the fabric, added up some sums and gave her my quote. And she has said yes.

I was thinking about doing a local craft fair in July. I'm going to be too busy making this commission to make the stock I would need. Yay

It's great to be wanted and I'm amazed that people would pay me to make something for them or their home. It's brilliant to be doing something I love as well.

I 'll leave you with the photo of the glasses case I made my, cat crazy, friend. Bye for now Kaybee

Wednesday 18 May 2011

sewing and housework in that order!!

Well today is Wednesday and I had several tasks today...to do some sewing (no surprise there then!) and some housework.
I did manage to get some sewing done. I finished a set of cupcake happy birthday bunting.. which i just love. I'd really like to keep it for my own birthday but as we have birthday bunting already, I'll post it in my folksy shop sometime this week.






I have done ok for sales this week. One set of cushions sold and posted to there new home and the daisy glasses case, will find it's way to my friends grandmother. Someone at work this week also asked me to make her a glasses case, with a cat on, as she's a super feline fan. I won't post a picture of this until I give it to her...i don't want to spoil the surprise.
I have been making a pretty cushion for a lovely little girl who has a birthday coming up so spent a little time in this today.( i can post this as she's a bit young for the world of blogging). This one is still work in progress.


Whilst in the mood for children's cushions, I also whipped up this cute sail boat one today. i love the nautical theme, especially as we live near the sea, and it's lovely to use that inspiration.


As for the housework today... I did clean the toilet and pick up the thread I'd walked through the house. never mind life is too short. Someone ( I'm not sure who) once said...

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walkway before it stops snowing.  "

Sunday 15 May 2011

out with the birthday bunting

So yesterday we went to the craft fair at our local national trust property. The weather was lovely and apart from the constant "please don't touch anything", a super time was had by us all. We bought a couple of things but the main purpose of going was to work out whether craft fairs was something i wanted to take part in. There were lots of fabulous stalls and some beautiful crafts. I just don't know whether the stall crafter's had enough interest and sales to make it worth their time. if anyone knows of anyone who does craft fairs, who could let me know how profitable it all really is, then please put them in touch with me...I could do with some experienced "I've been there" advice.

Today is my eldest daughters birthday, 11 today. I really don't know where the last 11 years have gone...just know I'm now looking and feeling older! Anyway, in celebration of her birthday we put up the "happy birthday bunting". As the children get older this is the only birthday decoration that they have. Gone are the Bob the builder, princess and Dora birthday parties with their foil backed banners. The bunting is our tradition and hopefully will be, for many, more years.








Just a quick plug that i can make these for £12....which for year after year use is a pretty good deal.

Friday 13 May 2011

two thing with buttons

Just a quick blog tonight to show you just two things you can create using these.....







My eldest daughter is turning 11 on Sunday and this is one of her presents. They have probably only cost me something like, 30p. My "big girl" hasn't nagged me quite enough yet to have her ears pierced, so these clip on earings will do nicely.



Sorry for the rubbish photo.
And here is another buttony make.....



So it's the weekend and i'll definately be looking for some crafty inspiration.....tomorrow i'm off to my local national trust property for a craft fair. I don't have a stall this time but maybe next time. I'll be looking out for some ideas and hopefully soem networking.....golly that sounded professional!!
Have a super Saturday...........please check out my shop which has a few items in store now http://www.folksy.com/shops/KayBees






Wednesday 11 May 2011

Busy Bee

I've had a lovely day. I've been very busy bee. A busy Kay Bee to be precise. That's the name of my new Folksy store. You can have a look here http://www.folksy.com/shops/KayBees I haven't got much on here yet but will start adding things over the next couple of days.

Well I did get plenty of sewing done today. I managed to finish 6 cushions and did some cutting out for some cupcake birthday bunting. I ran out of the white linen Laura Ashley fabric, I bought at the weekend and the same fabric is now not at the reduced price. Boo.I will have to wait until the next time there is a sale to finish three more cushions that i've started.

I'll leave with todays makes.





Thanks for visiting x KayBee

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Starting new things...or picking up old ones?

How often do you think to yourself ,I'd love to give that a go or I have always wanted to try that?
A sport, an instrument or hobby.
I was very fortunate recently to be given an opportunity to do just that. The church that i attend wanted to display some art work that would inspire and cause people to think about the Easter story and the role of Jesus in it. I was asked along side others to create a piece of art work. I agreed, with some hesitance, and set about thinking about what medium to use. I decided upon a Mosaic. I've have never done mosaic before but ordered what I needed and with an idea firmly fixed in my head started.
Starting something new can transform you, teach you skills and capture your heart...........







I work four days a week and am blessed to have a day to myself on a Wednesday. It really is important to me to have this time for myself. I run a busy home with my husband who often works long hours. I have three wonderful children. I leave the house at the same time as the children and arrive home with them at 4 o'clock. I start tea, sort out homework, reading and start the bedtime routine.
I love this. It is my life and it is good.

However "my" Wednesday's are special. This is the time to catch up on the things that need doing. I meet up with friends. Last week spent a lovely day with my mum, who doesn't live locally. Wednesdays are special!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to turn this.....







......into something like this.







"A time to rend and a time to sew" Ecclesiastes 3:7 (king James version)
Tomorrow is my time to sew.

Monday 9 May 2011

Personal Makes

I love gifts. Most of us do. Thoughtful personal gifts that someone has matched to you.

Since taking up sewing, I've given some thought to this when giving. I've made plenty of this personalised bunting, lovely for my little girl's friends for birthday's, it certainly beats all the plastic manufactured stuff.















I was blessed last month in becoming an Aunty for the first time. Milly is just wonderful. I wanted to give a special gift to her and set about making my first quilt. Actually it isn't a quilt in the traditinal sense but by following tutorals I made this personal framed quilt. I love it. I hope she'll grow up loving it, playing on it and nesting on it to watch TV. I couldn't resist making bunting as well.



Hello...is there anybody out there?

Well here I am writing my first post. It feels very strange to be writing when I don't know if anyone will read it.
This is my first experience of blogging and so my be a little clumsy in my writing...please bear with me...


THE BEGINNING
I've been crafty since being a child, loving messy sticking and gluing activities. I grew into a teenager who loved art and now, as an adult, I've rediscovered the joy of simply making. I've been a little uncommitted when it comes to taking up hobbies...the failed musical instrument list is fairly long! My crafting now is a true passion and not one I'll be walking away from.


Last summer, I borrowed a friend's sewing machine and that is the beginning of my love affair.....










So this is my sewing machine and table, which I hope will make me a little money or at least hopefully enough to fund my making. I needed to return "lovely friend"'s sewing machine. My parents bought me this one from good old Lidl. The most expensive present I've had since being at home, I think, but money well spent as I've used and used it. (Thankyou M and D)
The first round of making included lots of christmas bunting which  Foster Mummy sold for me, on her Christmas fair stall. I'll leave you with some photos.....