Jumbleberries

Thursday, 7 February 2013

A fresh new start

Hello there? How are you? I hope 2013 has been good to you so far? Apologies for my lack of contribution to blogland of late. Truth be told, I didn't feel I had much to say towards the latter part of last year, because, well, I lost my crafting-vibe a bit for a while there. To be honest I had started to get a bit despondent that my little Folksy shop hadn't been the run-away success I had dreamed of for 2012 and rather than taking that as my cue to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in, I guess you'd say I sulked for a bit.....

I've got over myself now though. Having given myself a good talking to (after all if all I have to worry about is not as many people liking the stuff I make than I had hoped, then I don't really have much to worry about, ah?) and have started to take action!

And to start with I have decided to stop being a floozie - in the crafting sense you understand. I realised that I get far too easily distracted by new crafts. And as a consequence I waste so much time, energy and not to mention money trying new ideas and techniques that I never finish anything.

I'm also going to streamline my aspirations for the year ahead. I've always dreamed big (I get that from my lovely dad) but I have so many ideas that I can never turn them into a realistic, achievable plan.

So I'm going to stop getting distracted and concentrate on the things I really love making and, from a commercial point of view, have been my biggest success.

I therefore declare 2013 the year of the corsage!

January was spent developing some new designs which would move my Felt Flower Corsages up a level and have a bit of a vintage vibe to them too. It is therefore with great pleasure that I unveil my first vintage inspired Felt Flower Posy:

What do you think? I’m very pleased with how it turned out as I love the Spring colours. I think it would make a pretty Mother’s Day present or a stylish alternative to a buttonhole at a Spring Wedding. I’ve got lots more similar designs planned for my little shop, but before I start listing them I’d love to know what you think? I really hope you like it.

Did you use January to re-evaluate your aims and aspirations? What do you have planned for the year ahead?

Jumbleberries xx

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2013.

Have fun.

Jumbleberries xx

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Fame at last!!

My little autumn-inspired Hedgehog Felt Cameo Brooch made the Folksy front page today:

I'm very proud!!

Jumbleberries xx

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Christmas Countdown Crafts :: Holly Wreath Canvas

I know for lots of Crafters Christmas preparations started some time ago, however, I have been so busy enjoying all the inspiration that Autumn brings to have given it much thought thus far. However, realising that Christmas Day is only 10 weeks away today (yes, really!) I thought it was finally time to make a start....

My first little handmade item was so effective and super quick to make that I thought it would be fun to share a little "how to" post. So my lovelies, here is my little tutorial on how to make a Holly Wreath Canvas should you wish to make one for yourself:

You will need:
* a mini canvas block
* a tester pot of paint
* some craft felt in christmassy green and red and matching thread
* 4 or 5 small red buttons
* 7 gold coloured mini beads
* some craft glue

Step 1
Paint your canvas block. I picked a soft green colour that complimented the colour of my felt.

Step 2
On piece of paper, draw a ring shape which is slightly smaller than the depth of your canvas block. The ring will form that base of the wreath. I used a coaster and a roll of ribbon to give me two perfect circles (one inside the other). Cut out the paper pattern.

Step 3
Using your paper pattern, cut a ring of green felt.

Step 4
Cut two more paper patterns. The first one should be a holly leaf shape, which is slightly wider than the thickness of the wreath base. The second should be a 6-petal flower shape. Cut out 18 holly leaf shapes from the green felt and 2 flower shapes from the red felt.

Step 5

Laying the two red flower shapes (one over the other so that you can see all the petals) onto the green wreath base, sew the gold coloured beads into the centre ensuring that the thread is going through all 3 layers of felt.

Step 6
Start sewing the holly leaf shapes onto the wreath base, using a long running stitch. The leaves look good when they overlap slightly and randomly lay at different angles to each other.

Step 7

Continue sewing on all the leaves until you have covered the wreath base. You can then sew on the buttons to add a bit more detail to the wreath. I used just 4 buttons due to their sizes, however, more would look good too. Alterntively use red sequins for a bit more Christmas sparkle.

Step 8

Once all the detail has been stitched onto the base, glue the wreath onto the canvas block.

And there you have it. A perfect little Christmas picture ready and waiting for the festivities to begin.

Let me know if you make one too, I would love to see your version.

Have fun.

Jumbleberries xx

Monday, 8 October 2012

Stocking Fillers

Today I have reduced some of my older design brooches, in order to make room for some newer designs. So if you are already starting to think about "stocking fillers" come and grab yourself a bargain: