The Shop Is Now Open!

Well its been and gone, and Im pleased to say Launch Day at The Sewing Boutique went better than I ever hoped for!  Orders kept me busy all day, email enquiries about products and fabrics came in and most of all, lots of people emailed me, tweeted me and facebooked me wishing me luck.

So if you havent already, take a look and see what you think.  We hope there's something there you will like and be tempted by.

I had a lovely surprise in the post yesterday.  This arrived from my lovely friend Twinkle Star to wish me luck...

 

Thank you so much Twinkle Star!!  There it is taking pride of place on my first craft stall of the season, which was today.  Had a lovely day chatting to some other crafty people, talking fabrics and buttons, made quite a few sales and ate a few cupcakes!

The Launch Day Giveaway is now in full swing over at The Sewing Boutique Blog so if you like a freebie (and it is a good one even if I do say so myself!) go over and check it out!

Now that things might be not so manic Im hoping to get back to my sewing machine this week!  My sister really wants a bag made up for her knitting and I've found a lovely pattern in the Tilda Sew Pretty Homestyle book that Im dying to try out.  My poor sewing machine is sobbing at the minute, its had so little attention.

So, until next time.... x x

Grab a cuppa, lets have a catch up!

Oh my lovely bloggy friends, Im so sorry, I feel like I've abandoned this blog and for no other reason than I've been so so busy lately.  Sad but true.  Setting up shop is keeping me busy, half term kept me very busy and my birthday celebrations carried on for a whole week!  (I was a very lucky girl!)

However, I have been thinking about you all and wanted to stop by and say hi, have a catch up and share a make I've made (read, attempted) recently.  Oh, and I've been awarded a few awards too!!!  So grab a cuppa (and four a biscuit) and lets have a catch up!

Of course this is what my coffee looks like every day

As I previously mentioned, I managed to make my birthday celebrations last a whole week!  Pretty good going, even for me.  This included my weekend away, shopping and lunch with my sister and a night out with some of my mummy friends from the school gate. However, I wanted to show you a fab present I got from my super talented friend Twinkle Star for my birthday.

Such fab presents.  Thanks so much Twinkle Star!

The most gorgeous jar filled with sewing supplies and a pin cushion lid (her fab tutorial can be found here), a cute little cupcake cross stitch and CHOCOLATE!!!  I'd love to say the chocolate's life was a long one but I dont think it lasted the hour after the photo was taken.  Oink oink.

On to the shop!  Work on my online shop is going well and, can you believe, there is only 9 days til the launch!??  Crazy where time has gone.  All the new fabrics and trimmings and buttons and stuff being delivered daily, has had me swooning!  I have a new favourite every day and have to keep reminding myself its not my private stash!  These are a couple that have come in recently....

Riley Blake - So Sophie - Purple Petals

Riley Blake - So Sophie - Cream

Some of you may recognise these fabrics, I think they're typical Riley Blake designs and I heart them lots!!  Im going to make a reversible tote bag from them (photos to follow but dont hold your breath, my sewing machine is sobbing, its had such little use lately).  We will have new Riley Blake fabrics coming in soon too - and I, for one cant wait!!!

I also love this fabric and can imagine a really lovely 1950's style skirt being made with it (not by me - bit beyond my talents at the moment!)

Vintage style teapots

So, onto my make.  Now, for those of you that read my blog reguarly, you may remember me saying that I really wanted to learn how to quilt this year.  Its something thats always baffled me, in a good way, as the results I think, are amazing!  Well, I must have mentioned in passing to my husband that this is something I wanted to do (dont think for a minute he reads my blog!!) and low and behold, he presents me with this for my birthday!!

He really is a keeper!  Turns out he does listen to what I say and went out and bought me these so I can learn how to do quilting.

Itching to have a go, as soon as the girls went to bed I had a go at my first patchwork quilt.  For those of you that do quilting, may I apologise in advance at my somewhat rustic attempt at a quilt.

Its not finished yet, I still need to close up where I turned it and "quilt" it.  Some of the squares arent lined up properly and the blocks are obviously very very basic (well, they're just squares) but I like it!  Its for Lillie's baba, her bestest friend at the minute :)

I havent read the part in the book about quiliting it yet, hence why it isnt finished.  Im a bit gun-ho about things sometimes and just go for it, mainly because Im impatient, but did this in a night (and it shows!).  However, I now have the bug and as soon as time permits, Im hoping to do a cot sized quilt for Lillies bed (Maddy has Moshi Monster duvet cover on her bed at the moment which isnt allowed to be removed!!)

Last but not least, I've also been awarded some awards!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, it never fails to amaze me that not only do people read my blog, but that they actually enjoy it enough to give it an award!!  So thank you to Carrad who's awarded me The Versatile Bloggers Award and Pamela and Lottie who have awarded me The Leibster Blog Award.  Their blogs are really lovely so pop over and say hi!  Im going to need to think about who to pass the award on to so will post about that next time.

I feel so much better for having a catch up!  I now need another cuppa!

Until next time x x

The Beautiful City Of Bath

I've just come back from the most amazing weekend in Bath.  Hubby treated me to a weekend away to a) catch up on some much needed sleep and b) to celebrate my 30th birthday.  Bath came on great recommendation from my mother in law and also, I'd heard about not one, but two amazing fabric shops in the centre of Bath, not far from where we booked to stay.

Bless my hubby for putting up with me all day saturday as we literally, walked miles around Bath town centre looking for the Country Threads shop, but we found it!!  He swiftly left me to it while I wandered around the huge selection of fabrics they have.

In my excitement I forgot to take a photo, photo from Local Data Search

A very small selection of the fabrics they have

We also visited The Makery Emporium and there was such a lovely sound of laughter coming from upstairs as a hen party learnt how to sew.

Too gorgeous!

I was very restrained, could have spent a fortune but came away with this little lot...

My creative brain went into overdrive when I bought all this! 

Love this pink print and it was such a bargain

As if this wasnt enough to satisfy my fabric cravings, imagine my complete delight when we stumbled across Cath Kidson!  Now I've only ever lusted after her products online, so to be able to wander round a shop was complete heaven.  I came away with her Sew! book that I've envied on many a blog.  

I had a quick flick through back at the hotel and decided on this as my first project...

A large tote bag.  I've been looking for a pattern for a tote for ages (although could probably work it out if pushed!) so this looks perfect.  Not sure my sewing skills are up to the pockets involved but will give it my best!

It's such a long time since hubby and I spent any time together on our own since the girlies have come along, so aside from visiting two amazing fabric shops and being totally inspired, we enjoyed lovely meals, pub lunches and some really lovely sight seeing in what is really a beautiful city.

Bath Abbey

Sally Lunn's - Baths oldest house

Bath Abbey - so beautiful at night

Thanks for reading!

x x

Going To Try Something New

Hello lovely blog followers!  It has been over a week since my last blog, but I promise you I have not been (completely) slacking!  Lots going on The Sewing Boutique front which has meant not much sewing.  Lots of fabric and ribbon deliveries though (yey!) and some accounts (boo).

However, last night I had an unexpected hour to myself (iron decided to malfunction - oh well!) and I had been dying to try out this tutorial for fabric headbands.  It looked so simple and something I could whip up in a jiffy (?!) and I had just the fabric/person in mind for it.

So, here it is, my fabric headband, made from gorgeous vintage fabric I found on Etsy, expertly modelled by my lovely sis x x

Now I will make one small confession, in my excitement at being back at my sewing machine, I sewed the seam on the outside.  However, as you can see, my sisters turned it round and it looks fine!

Now onto something new.  Since I started to enjoy/become obsessed with sewing, which wasnt all that long ago, there's been one aspect of if that boggles my mind - quilting.  Patchwork quilting to be exact.  I could never understand how it came together.  So, whilst browsing in Asda yesterday I came across this...

I've missed issue 1 but may have to buy it on back issue.  I just wanted something I could read and hopefully learn how to build up a beautiful quilt!  My best friend is having a baby in April so I'd like to make a baby quilt once he/she is born (it will be for his/her cot so I'll have at least six months before it has to be finished!)

If any of you lovely people have any tutorials or know of any youtube videos that may help me that would be great.  I've found a few but theres nothing like a good recommendation!

So thats it, my next crafty challenge!!  Im already planning my monthly make for February (will be another gift for my sister - actually its more of a request this time!) so all is good in my craft world.

Until next time x x

The Sewing Boutique

Coming Soon at The Sewing Boutique

p.s. are you following The Sewing Boutique Blog??  Look out for details of our launch day giveaway and discount code!!

My Monthly Make 2012 - January

Hello lovely people!  Hope you are all having a happy sunday? 

Im very pleased to say, I've got my January make all done and dusted already!  Incase you dont know what Im talking about, Im taking part in Annie The Felt Fairy's Monthly Make for 2012.  Im more of a think-I've-got-ages-then-run-out-of-time kind of gal, so Im mega impressed to have my monthly make done and dusted by the 15th January!!

Here it is, or should I say, here they are....

Three lovely needle books in some gorgeous fabrics

Inside view

I wanted to make some needle books for the shop so this seemed like the perfect project for January.  However, Im in love with the cupcake one so may have to keep it.  I'll be honest, its the first time I've done any sewing in 2012 and I had an amazing evening!!  My lovely mum is taking Lillie off my hands for a couple of hours tomorrow morning so, as Madison will be in school aswell, Im going to make up a few more in some of the lovely fabrics that have started arriving! 

Bit of a short post from me today but I have been reading everyones blogs and am still here, working hard on the new site, ordering fabrics and other lovely bits.  My house is doubling up as a warehouse nicely!!

x x

A Giveaway You Wont Want To Miss!

Thank you all so much for your kind words following my announcement yesterday.  If at all possible, Im even more excited now!  If any reassurance that Im doing the right thing was needed, you guys gave me it!  THANK YOU!!

My lovely bloggy/real friend Stel over at Twinkles, Tutorials and Twirls is having a fab giveaway to see in the New Year and mark her change in blog name!  (previously Twinkles, Tutus and Twirls.  The giveaway includes...

Handmade gift tags and blinged up lavender star

Beautiful handmade twirling wand and matching headband

So cute pink ric rac rose ring.

 ...and thats to name but a few of the fab prizes!  So head on over there right now to enter!  The winner is being announced on 26th January.

In other news, I was featured on a fab blog yesterday called Creative Itch.  Misty at Creative Itch runs a linky party called Sew Cute Tuesday and now and again, I link up.  Last Tuesday I thought I'd link up the embroidery hoop I made for my sister for Christmas and, much to my surprise, it was featured yesterday!  I am now proudly displaying the "Featured On" button on my sidebar and have had some lovely comments through it.  So thank you to Misty!!

I do love my crafty life!

x x

An Announcement....of sorts

You may remember me mentioning big plans for me for 2012 (blog post here) Well, I can't do it, I can't keep a secret any longer! Im not the best at keeping secrets at the best of times but when Im so excited about something I find it nigh on impossible (Christmas is torture for me!!). 

So, I would like to announce to you, my lovely followers and bloggy friends, that on Thursday 1st March 2012 I will be opening for business as....

The Sewing Boutique will sell gorgeous fabrics, fab habdash and lots of lovely buttons and ribbons!  I'll also be stocking some vintage fabrics I've come across so keep an eye out for those as they will be one offs (I'll struggle to part with these!)  Im so excited about my little sewing supplies shop and am so looking forward to watching it grow.  I've got a business plan, marketing outline and everything, feels quite grown up!

Initially it will be online and at craft fayres, with the view to eventually getting a permanent "presence" at one of my local indoor markets.  Who knows, one day I may even have a bricks and mortar shop!!  (I can dream)  As I said, the site will launch on 1st March (also St. Davids Day here in Wales!) and I've had the ok to sell from my usual craft fayres so the first one will be Saturday 3rd March.  I cant wait!

Ooooh lots of shiny findings, soon to be on my site!

The last year, and certainly since I started this blog back last March 2010, I'll be honest, I didnt know what direction it would take.  All I knew was, I really enjoyed being "crafty" and making things for my little ones.  I then had the idea that I would try selling my items at craft fayres and online and had much more success than I thought I would!  (seriously it still amazes me now that people want to part with their cash for something I've made)  I discovered I enjoyed making stock for craft fayres but not so much the stress that went with it.  I get enough of that from my day job and two children!!

One of the lovely fabrics that will soon be in stock

 

The idea to stock fabrics originally came from all the lovely people who would stop to chat at my stall.  All would say how lovely my things were, a few would buy, but so many would then go on to say how they love to sew and make things.  I think craft fayres do attract other crafty types.  So it was while searching for fabrics, felts, buttons etc. that I decided I would create The Sewing Boutique.  Currently I am in the process of building the website, ordering stationary, samples of fabrics are arriving daily and I will soon be putting a BIG order in for fabrics from suppliers I've sourced from all over the world.  Im like a kid in a sweet shop, I keep having to tell myself that this will NOT be my own private fabric stash!

I will still be making though, for the shop and indeed for this blog!  I will be sharing with you regularly what I've made as well as what cupcakes I have tried making!  As you may have noticed I've signed up for the Monthly Makes 2012 and am so looking forward to crafting for myself and the girls again.   

Cant WAIT for this fabric to be in my stash...I mean in stock!!

So there you have it my lovely friends, thats what I have been working on for the last few months and indeed, what I've got planned for 2012.

I'll be blogging regularly about my progress over at the blog to support the shop, which if you fancy following, you can here.  Would love, love, LOVE to see you there!

I hope you're all as excited as I am.  Thanks so much for your support, you dont know how much its appreciated.

x x

Need To Show You What I Got!

I know I know, Christmas is well and truly over.  Im sorry, I wont post again about Christmas I promise, once I've shown you what a lucky girl I was this year!

I've obviously been very good as I had....

Not one, but two lovely cupcake cook books.  Some amazing ideas in these!

Some heart shaped measuring spoons.

A mini cupcake maker!  My first batch are cooling as I type!!

A fab cupcake diary which also came with a calender.  No excuse for not being organised!

Now I dont know if you remember my post about my early christmas present my lovely hubby got me??  (its here if you need a recap!)  Well my sewing machine was supposed to be my "big" present.  So you can imagine my absolute jaw dropping surprise when Christmas morning I opened this little beauty....

....my brand new Motorola Xoom!

I was on about having tablet as Im always on my phone, blogging, reading blogs, on the net etc. and the best bit is...

a pink polka dot cover!!!

This cover is not only super cute, but apparently super safe (Im known for my clumsiness so hubby thought it best to help me out!).  I love it and Im on it all the time, reading, sending emails and catching up on blogs.  I think its fair to say Im a bit addicted.

So I was super lucky this Christmas, I felt like one of the kids having new toys to play with on Christmas day!

Thats it, thats the last time I'll mention Christmas 2011.

Thanks for reading! x x

Plans For 2012

I wont say Im glad the festive period is over, but I am looking forward to getting back into some sort of routine.  I do like some structure to my day!

Looking back over 2011, as Im sure many of you have over the last few days, I feel like I achieved so much, but also that I had so much going on, I didnt really do anything to the best of my ability.  What with bringing up two small children, running a home and trying to keep it looking like a home not a hovel, running two businesses and trying to find a moment to catch up with friends/spend time with the hubby/have a moment to myself, I feel like much of 2011 past me in a blur!

However, not one to spend much time relaxing (almost impossible with two small children!), I've spent much of the Christmas period researching, emailing, looking things up, calculating and generally, preparing for the next step in my little crafty business journey (although I dont think I'll be hearing from Alan Sugar any time soon!).

Im really excited by my plans for 2012 though, which will include a new business name, a new blog, a brand new shiny website and lots of fabric, felt and ribbons.  Who wouldnt be excited by all that!?  Apologies for being so vague but all will be revealed soon (I hope).

Thanks so much for reading in 2011 and for every single one of your comments, they all mean so much to me and here's to a successful and exciting 2012!

From Google Images