Pretty Things

Brooches handmade by me!

Still insanely busy here at Delicate Stitches HQ but I thought I'd try and share a few photos with you. This week The Heathlands Project, where I work part time, has been down at Alex Boathouse at Talkin Tarn selling our hand made wares. The sale was organised by my friend and colleague Helen Tuck and we both also had our own little tables there.

My stall

View across the tarn from the boathouse

The guys up at Heathlands have been working really hard and have made some beautiful things, including some lovely felt Christmas tree decorations made by my textiles group. Today I got the chance to take a couple of the guys up to the Boathouse and I was really impressed seeing all the work out on display.

A selection of the Heathlands Projects wares

It was also a really nice chance for me to have a look at my stock and put out a couple of new things, including some hand printed sketchbooks. A few weeks ago I carved a couple of lino blocks and I used these to make prints for the sketchbooks. I really like lino cuts and enjoyed designing and carving these blocks.

Hand printed sketchbooks 

Detail of hand printed sketchbook.

Some recent cards

New job/home/life card

Random post featuring some cards I have made recently. This first one was for my friend who got a shiny new job in Dundee so it was a happy new home/happy new job/ congratulations/ will miss you card all rolled into one. I was quite pleased with it, I thought it was rather sweet!

Inside of card

Valentines card

This is my Valentines card for my best beloved and long suffering partner. He really does.

Birthday card

This is my Mum's birthday card. I really like this purple and green together and paper cuts are fun to make.

Wedding card

Detail

This card was made for a wedding last year. I really like the different textures in this one.

BOB!

Watch Key-rings. Hand stitched felt and fabric.

Coming up this weekend is BOB, the underground craft festival down in Bakewell. I am now entering full panic mode getting everything organised/made/packed and so on. One of the little things I've been making is watch key-rings. I made some for my summer craft fairs and they all sold so I bought some more watch faces and have made some more. I'm not sure I like these watch faces as much as the previous lot but we shall see how they go. They are all different, all hand stitched and I think they'd make really sweet little presents.

Stitch detail

Detail

Detail

Flyer for BOB (the buttons are mine!)

Warwick on Eden Craft Fair and Two Commissions

My Stall

Close up

The craft fair I did on Sunday at Warwick on Eden went very well; it was quite quiet but I still managed to do fairly well and it was a nice, relaxed affair. I met some very nice people and one of my friends from work came down to support me and my friend Helen (I offered Helen half my table as she wanted to do a fair but hadn't done one before.) I also was asked to make two pieces for presents, I like special requests as it means people like my stuff (always a good ego boost) and it's fun to make things for specific people rather than just making a product.

Cat head brooch

Cards and frog 'phone case

Hedgehog 'phone case

Polymer clay 'lace' brooch

The first commission was for a cream cushion with a swallow on, I'd taken an aqua coloured cushion with a swallow on but the lady wanted a cream cushion with a 'proper' coloured swallow. I'm really pleased with the way it came out and may well make something similar for my next craft fair. The second commission was for a doggy doorstop. This was more of a challenge because I really don't like dogs. However, I decided to rise to the challenge and after a bit of planning and experimenting I came up with a design, made a pattern and used this to make a little hound doorstop. I hate to admit it but I think it's quite cute! I hope the recipients are pleased with their presents, I did have fun making them!

The original cushion

The commissioned cushion

Detail of the swallow



Hound doorstop

Detail