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

A Weave and Wine evening!

How are you all doing? I'm feeling rather chipper this week following a very fun weekend. On Saturday I 'hosted' a Weave and wine evening. Oh yeah!

I recently mentioned my weaving obsession, which lead me to 'attacking' some wood with a mission in mind. I wanted to make some weaving looms so that others could join me in this creative pursuit. I made 6 and named them (as you do!)..... you can meet the looms  'ladies' below!

All that was needed next was 6 lovely friends, a table just big enough to squish everyone around, a pile of wool of various textures, thickness and colour... and of course the vino (with an extra addition of raspberry gin.Yum! thanks Laura!)

Time to get weaving....

Before the evening began I was curious to find out how much weaving could get done in this short space of time, what with wine and chat being involved as well. I was pretty certain we would need to come back for a Weave and Wine evening Part 2, to finish the piece off.(perfect excuse)

Well, I got that wrong!

It was amazing just how quickly everyone took to the weaving techniques, and how immediate the inventive and creative touches were added. So inspiring to watch and super impressive.

What surprised and made me smile the most was how quiet this group of girls became. It was quite uncanny given our usual get togethers being somewhat 'vocal'!  

However once you see what was created, you'll understand where all the focus and concentration went....

6 GLORIOUS, colourful, texture-filled, tassel-tastic weavings!

Did I say I was inspired?.... I most certainly was....

I wish the photos had been better (I blame the poor lighting, and not the raspberry gin)

But I'm sure you get the gist. And if I didn't have the weaving bug before....I most certainly do now! Been weaving tassels ever since!>>>> 

I'm looking forward to more Weave and wine evenings ahead. 

Thanks so much girls for the fab evening xx