Wintery felty friends

Most things have fallen by the wayside here as things really hot up in my shop and I'm busy making kits and sending them off. 
Every so often I do find myself in the midst of packaging a kit off to Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland (to name a few of the many countries I have sent to)...and have to stop and marvel at how incredible the internet is and how priviledged and grateful I am to be in this position. Absolutely amazing!
Anyhow I digress.
The botanical sketches in stitch have been well and truly put on hold for now (that's ok, they'll be back!) But I do still crave something that I can pick up easily when the opportunity presents, and this lately has taken the form of handstitched felt friends... 

The deer are based on the deer kits I sell (here), and the fox softie sculptures are based on a pattern I will be offering in my shop shortly (fingers crossed!)

I've been sharing them on a new Instagram page I created so that my embroidery page wasn't inundated with deer spam! :) You can find more pics of my felty friends at overhillsandheather, and if you are interested in buying one you can find them in my other etsy shop here.

It would normally feel a bit premature posting such a festive pic..but the temperature here over the last few days has been well below zero (the words 'brass monkeys' come to mind!), and a thick white frost covers every available surface.....so it feels rather in keeping :) Hope you are keeping cosy xx

A mended hand...

My hand has returned! woohoo! 
Well of course, it never left, but rather the use of it. And jeezy peeps....that old adage about not knowing what you have til it's gone.....Yep, I felt that full force.
I've vowed to make more of an effort and not over do the sewing. Easier said than done! Sewing and embroidery may be my 'job' but it's also my go-to place for pleasure. 
However 5 weeks of not sewing did lend itself to finding out other pursuits that I enjoy... I went for a world record breaking amount of walks, re-found pinterest, and re-aquainted myself with a paintbrush again. Oh and my bathroom got new wallpaper! :)
This time also provided the space for a few ideas to marinate...

I've been navigating the waters for safety testing and getting my woodland toy designs CE approved... it'll take some time. However mini soft sculptures are not toys, and as soon as my hand would allow , the marinated ideas began to take form...... 

Part of my 2016 plans/hopes are to add some soft sculpture sewing kits to the mix..... this may just be one of them. I'm a big bit smitten. Is this something you would enjoy stitching together? 

Poor deer though, she did have to go through some major abdominal surgery before making a full recovery..... it was touch and go for a while. eek!

I made a unicorn too....

No matter what I do, I always seem to make unicorn hair look like it belongs to the 90's and those mullet days..... I'm going with it! Bon Jovi rocked it, so can this little dudette!

A few other lovely things have also happened while my hand was laid up.

I did an interview over on My Giant Strawberry. Anne asks the most thoughtful and insightful questions and it was a real pleasure to do....you may want to grab a cuppa before heading over.

My stitchbook also got a feature in the latest edition of Uppercase magazine. This is a really highly regarded , independent publication with the mission to 'spark the imagination and inspire creativity'. It's a total honour to have something of mine included! You can view the full issue over here...it's a low res version but may be enough of a nudge to buy the real thing! My little half page is on Page 63! Yipee :)

xx

Where handmade toys meet the law.... is common sense enough?

I'm a bit later in writing a blog post, and it turns out i'm going to be writing about something I had never even considered until yesterday...

So you remember I shared my little dream about offering workshops to pregnant girls, and making some special soft toys? I wrote about it here.
Since then I've been looking for somewhere suitable to host the workshops but finding it tricky in this rural neck of the woods. 
Any how..never to be deterred, my calling to make the little woodland wonders continued and I have kept on stitching and refining, trying out different cotton fabrics and wool felt...and basically having a rare old time.

This is Luka... still very in tune with nature shown by the leafy details and mossy trousers, though he likes a little 'urban chic' too!

 As I stitched common sense told me that these toys would be too intricate for a baby/toddler, with potential choking hazards if any bits came loose....but I could see an older child (and my 7 year old demonstrated it well) incorporating the dolls into their wonderful world of imagination and play.

And so having already made 3 little dolls for my youngest, and gathering a growing collection on my shelf I felt the next step was to put these out into the world and offer them in my etsy shop. 

 Which is where it started to get interesting.......

As I chose the category toy/doll the words appeared:

Items in this category may be subject to legal and safety requirements.Learn more here.

There was a link which I clicked on, found the one relevant to the UK and started reading...

Basically it states what we all want..that toys for kids should be safe.

Yep to that.

It goes on to say that in the UK there are laws and standards which have been made to keep toys safe. Any children's toy being sold must have been assessed for safety and marked accordingly.(be it a machine produced teddy sold in large retail outlets, a handknitted animal by a Granny and sold at a craft fair or a handmade cloth doll being sold on etsy). I'm not sure about other countries but from the little I have read it seems the rules are just as stringent for everywhere else.

Eek! Gads.....

Ok. After a deep breath I read more to discover that this is actually do-able. Being a small business I can self certify my items and without much cost though it does requires a fair bit of time and effort (and experiments to test the toy you are selling..which might be quite fun for my 7 year old who is currently obsessed with 'experimenting'!). I am going to have to do this for any kids toys I sell and offer to make in the workshops.

This has also sent a spiral of questions running in my head...and effectively opened a can of worms....

Eva is a quiet and gentle soul, but don't be deceived by her sweet demeanour...she never suffers fools gladly.

The first thing is ...of all the toys I have bought over the last 16 years for my 2 girls I can't recall ever having questioned the safety of the items I have bought. Which has got me thinking as to the reason behind this intrinsic trust.... is it because the laws have been so robust and prevented me from ever getting my hands on a potentially threatening toy for my girls. Because of this I can rest on my 'every-toy-is-safe' laurels.

Or is it that knowing my own child's individual abilities and predilections, I've followed my own inner safety guide (along with that under-rated ability called common sense. hello?!) to steer me and my kids clear of danger?

Which leads me to the second question....what about all of the doll makers/soft toy makers which I have been drooling over on Instagram and etsy, who are making extremely beautiful items and also selling them very successfully.There are a LOT and they all sell toys designed specifically for children. Have they had their toys assessed for safety? There is nothing on the items description that suggests they are. 

Would I have ever considered what they sell unsafe before now? No.Definitely not.

Does this make it ok for me to join them, that I'm simply selling a handmade item not too dissimilar to what an aunt or gran would stitch and gift?

I'll be the devils advocate and say how dangerous can a cloth doll be?!

Grace loves to get spruced up and believes everyday is a good day to wear flowers. (she will happily get her hands dirty and dig up some soil but only once the fancy cowl is removed!)

When you are a self employed artist sitting stitching from your home studio or kitchen table fitting it in amongst the family and trying to eke out a living I can see how it is easy to feel that you're not running a 'proper business' , more of a hobby really...and I can also see how thoughts of legalities don't seem relevant....or are even considered.

Does it also make it wrong to be selling these dolls and toys, when it is assumed the buyer has to play some role of responsibiltiy ie. knowing what is age appropriate for their child. I have seen the disclaimer 'not suitable for under 3 years old' often on etsy shops. 

In the UK the law would say all of the above IS wrong. And so, I'm presuming from the fact that it is flagged up when you list a toy, would Etsy. I have disovered that in Scotland you could go to jail for 2 years for not assessing and marking your toy appropriately! And in the UK if a toy is considered appropriate for a 3 year old it is also deemed safe for use of a baby...which knocks that disclaimer out of the park. Though I'm no lawyer!

 

Much as I would like to bury my head in the sand and avoid any extra hassle, I know I have to follow through on this if I'm going to offer kids toys/patterns as part of my business.  I definitely do have mixed feelings about the over defensiveness that comes with any law (really loathed that part of Midwifery too.) And I do hate how it can turn the most innocent of things into something WRONG! 

I am also really curious as to how others who sell kids toys have grappled with the idea and what thought process lead to carrying on selling without doing any kind of test. Or maybe there was no thought at all...I mean up till yesterday I certainly hadn't.

I have listed the above deer dolls on etsy (shown in the photos) as decorative art dolls and unsuitable for children, because their safety has not been tested and assessed (though my 7 year old plays with them merrily and I am gifting something similar to my friend's daughter age 3).

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are....... how you buy items for children? Do you think handmade toys need safety tests?

Do you make toys and sell them? Have you had them safety tested?

Anyone better read up on this and can put me straight if I am wrong?

Is common sense not enough?!

xx

UPDATE: found a great discussion on this topic by Abby Glassenberg. Although it is based on USA law, she talks with a Product Safety and Compliance officer and make things sound a little less overwhelming!

A fun collaboration with Cloud Craft and a stitchy love video!

I'm very happy to announce that I have joined teams with the lovely Nicole at Cloudraft  to create a pack with everything you need to make your own Mr and Mrs Deer ...just in time for Valentines Day. 

And to celebrate I even created a little short stop motion 'film' lasting all of 37 seconds long.....I promise if you watch it will make you smile ....all be it in a cheesy cringe worthy way ;) You know you want to!

Cloudcraft is a beautifully curated online shop selling handpicked needlecraft items, as well as a scrumptious range of 100% wool felt (which I personally have found quite hard to come by). 

Nicole has created a special pack where you can buy the 5 different coloured wool felts with 6 matching coloured DMC embroidery threads OR you can simply buy the felt or thread separately.

I wholeheartedly recommend the felt..it is such great quality, super thick, soft and vibrant in colour. 

To celebrate this collaboration Nicole has generously offered a 15% discount on the Mr and Mrs Deer pack Simply use the coupon DEERLOVE15 at the Cloudcraft checkout.

And to join in the love I am also offering the same discount off the Pdf pattern over here. Again type in the code  DEERLOVE15 at the checkout to get 15% off!

**The discount will run until and including Feb 14th 2016**

So go on then... what's stopping you to get some stitchy love into your life? ;)x

Mr and Mrs Deer - a new sewing and embroidery pattern

I hope you are all keeping cosy (or at least those in the cold climes).. Scotland seems to be missing winter this year which is sightly unnerving. It's been rain , rain and some more rain. 
Still, it's been the perfect weather to be working on a fun wee project. I actually made the first prototypes 2 summers ago (when there was more rain!), which just shows how long it can be before some ideas come to fruition.
Anyhow, let me introduce you to Mr and Mrs Deer.... a right pair of love birds deer! The pdf pattern is now available as an instant download, so you can make your very own here.

The 'naked version'

They've been designed so that you can get a little creative with them, and change up the details you want to add. 
Instructions are given on making both deer heads (different templates are used for Mrs Doe and Mr Deer as there are slight differences....Mr Deer has a wider brow because he's so manly. Grrr!) 
There are templates and instructions for adding doe spots, stitched fur, embroidered flowers, dahlia and rose corsages plus a bow/tie.You can also opt for leaving the mini heads as they are ----------> 

Or opt for adding a decorative backplate.

I think they'd look great in any kids bedroom or nursery. I also think they'd make the perfect little gift for a wedding , or for valentines... don't you agree? Great thing is you and mix and match to suit the special loved up couple, be it Mr and Mrs, Mrs and Mrs or Mr and Mr.

I'm working on a kit version for these...always take much longer to create and I was too impatient to wait and share!

Here's to love :)x

New hand embroidered work - A stag and the seasons in satin stitch

I set out the intention last new year to make more time to stitch some originals, which got way laid for a couple of reasons. One excuse I could use would be that I didn't have the time, however truth be told the main reason was that I didn't know what I wanted to stitch.

To me embroidery has always been an art form, and just as the painter expresses his/herself through subject matter, brush strokes and palette, I wanted to stitch something which I could express myself through and which reflected my own style.

This is surprisingly hard to do with a needle and thread, as there is only so much you can do ! However the 2 elements which captivates me the most in all art of any medium are colour and contrast........I think you'll be able to see where this has lead to ;)

I stretched each piece on to board so they could be popped into a box frame of a certain swedish company, but also be easily removed and displayed in an embroidery hoop if preferred. I like the framed finish myself ..but hey that's just me. You can find them all in my etsy shop here.

Looking forward to sharing more soon :)x

Winter woodland decorations and new website

I have just discovered how life can be gently and comfortably lilting along then suddenly wham bam...the christmas chaos begins! Perhaps I should have been a little more prepared...but in business you can only really go on previous experience and a large pinch of guess-timation.

Safe to say my guess-timates have been way out and I have been soooo busy assembling kits & wrapping orders that everything else has fallen by the wayside ....well apart from feeding the kids but that's only because they have the ability to moan loudly :)

 So I never actually shared the launching of my new shiny website which happened very quietly a few weeks ago. There are still a couple of glitches which I need to fix (when things slow down on the order front) but  I am DELIGHTED with the way it has turned out. It has been a very slow work in progress with lots of challenges overcome so I am VERY proud of my e-baby! ( Yes, I do believe it actually took 9 months to make) 
My fave part is the Beginners page, to gently assist and encourage those scaredy newbies :)
I have lost count of the amount of people I meet that say they have always wanted to try embroidery but already decided they'd be no good at it...or were too scared to try. This is for you lovely lot xx

I'll also be moving this blog over there as soon a time permits, keep everything under the same roof. I'll  not just disappear without letting let you know though!

I have also just released a new pdf pattern for these sweeeet little winter woodland wonders. I think they would look perfect on a christmas tree, or any other suitable dangling place. You could create multiples and string them on ribbon to make some bunting, or change up the colours for more earthy tones and have them as decorations for all year around.

                                               

Winter woodland decorations pdf pattern available here

I made a batch myself which I am going to take along to our little community late night shopping tomorrow. It may be all I will have to fill my table as my kits are almost sold out...crazy!

We've had our first decent flurry of snow here, and now that it's officially December I feel permission is granted to prance around singing 'Deck the Halls'.

Falalalala to you! xxx   

I have a little idea......

I have this little idea that I'd like to put out into the world...and I would love to hear what you think.

While I worked as a midwife, (a few years ago now!), I had this little daydream where I opened a Birthing Centre amongst beautiful rolling hills, and offered holistic care to pregnant women and their families. (Did I mention I would win the lottery first?!)

Part of this care was to offer some kind of creative/stitchery class. A chance for women to slow down and nurture themselves, connect with their baby and create something for them, and also meet other women at the same pivotal point in their life. An opportunity to get together  and do what women do best...connect, share experiences & worries,laugh,support..and in this case do some sewing too!

I like to imagine this is what we used to do.....way, waaaay back when we lived in small communities. Knowledge and wisdom was shared through stories and song as the women of different generations gathered to weave & sew, amongst other things. A deep feeling of support really comes to mind...something that our modern, busy, separate lives could do with more of.(I reckon anyhoos)

So I've been playing with this little idea and rather than having it all worked out before I even start (like do I hire premises or do it online ? do I make kits or offer pdf patterns? etc.) I've decided to just take the first step and see where it takes me. 

The first step is to create a design that can be stitched by mums-to-be over a few 'sessions', while also chatting about waters breaking, active labour, and mother in laws (kidding...well not really). Something that is easy enough for the beginner, and sweet enough to be gifted to their precious newborn.

These 2 friendly fellows are what I have come up with so far..

Meet  Fern ......

And Acorn..........

They were named by Skye, and if 7 year olds are a good indicator of how much these fellows are to be loved by little people then oh my word.....they will be LOVED!

Truth be told I think I might be a little smitten too.

They are prototypes and still need a couple of tweaks.

The next step is to see if they actually work by being hand sewn.... I'm imagining calm slow stitching rather than machine engines revving!

So that is my little idea, and where it's got to so far....... I am so curious to see where it goes from here. 

I would also LOVE to hear your thoughts. :)

Would you want to stitch something like this for your little one? or grand child?

Do you know anyone expecting a baby, and would this be something they might enjoy making while blooming? 

Or would you rather create something else?

I shall keep you posted ........ 

xx