As long as you get there in the end.

It struck me the other day that's its over 12 years since I graduated. Scary stuff. I did a degree in Decorative Arts at Nottingham Trent. It was a brand new course and to be honest, I think we suffered because of this. The course was finding its feet and certainly lacked direction. (But I hear its a really good course now!!)

Before doing this course I had always loved textiles and presumed this was the route I would take. But then I was faced with so many other options and mediums to try, I kind of moved away from textiles. This is a massive regret as I think I always enjoyed this most and was much better at this than many of the things I tried. Anyway, somehow I ended up specialising in wood and paper!! Looking back now I am not sure how I came to this conclusion and I suppose its a bit of a regret.

Needless to say I left college more confused and directionless than when I started. I then didn't do everything creative for about 10 years. Then a couple of years ago I taught myself to knit (with a little help from my fella). It was great to do something creative and this lead to me signing up to a textiles course. And that was it really. My creativeness was back and I haven't stopped since. (I do have 10 years to catch up on).

I certainly don't mean to sound bitter about my degree, it was good in many ways. The people I met on this course being the best thing. There is still a group of about 8 of us who are still good friends and met up as much as we can.

Over the past few years some of them have also started their own little creative businesses, and I am sure some others will too. So its taken us all a while to get started,but we are getting there, and its all very exciting.

Liz Crowcroft - http://lizcrowcroft.synthasite.com/ Liz makes beautiful textiles pieces and wonderful personalised picture for children and adults.

Pinnikity -http://www.folksy.com/shops/pinnikity Nikki has just opened a Folksy shop selling the most gorgeous aprons and she promises to expand into other kitchen textiles soon. I can't wait.
Pink Cocca - http://www.pinkcocoa.co.uk/ Sarah has always been fantastic at making cakes. She made me a wonderful cake for my 21st birthday, and also gave me the 2 pages of design sheets. So I don't think any of us were surprised when she said she was starting a cake business!

Out of control...

Not been having a very good week this week. Having car hassles (actually been having them on and off for a month or so now), but just feeling very frustrated by it all. Its an intermident problem, so they are finding it hard to find out what is wrong. Also will need it alot over the next week so its just really annoying that there is no quick fix.

I get really annoyed by things like this. I think I like action, if something is wrong or there is an issue you get it sorted. So really don't like not having any control over the situation. I am sure it will sort itself out soon and hopefully not cause me too many issues before it does. But at the moment I am just very frustrated.

On a brighter note, we are having a Halloween fancy dress fuddle at work tomorrow, which should be good, I can't wait to see everyones outfits.

My craft fair stock is also increasing in size, so feeling like I might actually manage to get most things done in time. I just need to keep up momentum.

Monday night... craft night

My friend Emma came round last night for a night a craft. This was something we were doing quite regularly, but hadn't managed to get together for a while.

As well as having some company while making things, it is also good to share ideas and get feedback from someone else. Honest feedback is often really hard to get from people, but is something I could really do with and appreciate. So it was very refreshing to have someone give some feedback and suggest some ideas and ways different of doing things.

I can't say it was a productive night as I was too busy talking! But a good night none the less and took my mind off yet more car issues.

Interprupted by the real world

Weekends (and weeks) seem to be flying by at the moment, you blink and then its Monday again. Feeling quite positive as I got loads done at the weekend and really enjoyed myself. It feels quite satisfying when you can see a big pile of work, for all your efforts.

Its just such a shame that Monday has to come along and interrupt it all. I was in a really good flow and I have loads of ideas buzzing round my head at the moment. Oh well that's life, roll on this evening so I can start again.

Anyway the picture show: red lino print snow flake cards, blue flower picture and felt purses (not finished yet, but really like the colours).

Free Postage

Just to let you know I am offering FREE POSTAGE on my framed personalised pictures in my Folksy Shop. http://www.folksy.com/shops/Petaltextiles But this is for a limited time only!

Busy November

November is shaping up to be very busy indeed.

Nottingham Craft Mafia is having a Shopping evening on the 18th November, which was should be really good, bubbly, cake and 10% off. If you have not been to our shop 'Get Made' on St James Street in Nottingham, its certainly worth a visit. There are some fantastic things in there and you are bound to find lots of unique and wonderful gifts. There will also be another shopping evening in December as well.

This is my local craft fair, so its very exciting. I did the one in the summer and had a fantastic day so I am really looking forward to this. There are some really great makers in the area so should be a really good.

I am also doing Candy Cane in Sheffield (but just on the Saturday), its a bit scary as its the first fair I have done outside of Nottingham, but hopefully should be good. And I have roped in a friend who lives in Sheffield to help.

All I need to do now is make some things......

A late entry... Also doing the Carrington School craft fair on the 26th November - 3:30pm - 6pm.

Why do weekends always go so quickly?

I got loads done and really enjoyed myself. I started to make a pink felt clutch purse which is looking good and got lots of other things finished. Unfortunately I ran out of day light yesterday so didn't get round to taking any photo's of yesterdays makes.

I can see over winter and I am going to have to been very organised with photo's for the blog and make sure I take enough each weekend to last me the week, as its always dark when I am at home.

Yesterday I did some felting, I normally use washing up liquid, but I buy Ecover and it seems to take ages to felt things. So yesterday I tried some bright pink clothes washing liquid and everything felted so much quicker, so unfortunately I think I'll be using this from now on.

Woking like a machine...

As I mentioned earlier in the week, it suddenly dawned on me that's its now less then a month until my first Christmas Craft Fair of the season. I am only doing two, one in Nottingham and one in Sheffield, but when you work full time, it can be hard to find time to make enough things for it.

But as somebody said to me this week, there is nothing like a bit of pressure to get you going. And they were right. Even my fella remarked last night that I had gone into factory mode!

So its been a fairly productive week, I just need to keep it up.

Autumn

I think Autumn is probably my favourite season. I love leaves when they changes colour, and I like being able to wear more snuggly clothes. Not so keen on Autumn days like today, as its wet and miserable but you can't beat dry and sunny autumn days.


I took these photos at the weekend and then ended up collecting some leaves and doing some experimental printing which was very enjoyable.

I also started to take some photos of some Christmas decorations I have been working on, I now just need to get round to adding some of this new stuff to my shop.

Aaaahhhh!

How did it suddenly become the middle of October and worse than that its only a month until my first craft fair of the Christmas season! I really need to pull my finger out and make some things.... Ahhhhh!!

Snowflakes

I managed to have half a day crafting on Saturday and it was great. It felt like ages since I had manged to do anything. As usual I didn't manage to tick anything off my list and got completely distracted, but it was fun.

I decided to do some lino and mono printing. Really pleased with my snowflake cards, think I may also try it in red, as apparently black isn't very christmassy!

I am doing two craft fairs in November (one in Nottingham and one in Sheffield), so I really need to pull my finger out and start adding to my stock box. ..... Right time to make some more felt!

And the blog giveaway winner is.....

Morning, would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has entered my first ever blog giveaway. I have really enjoyed reading everyones comments and would love for everyone to win, but sadly that is not possible. I would also like to say a big hello to all my new followers.

So enough of my blethering, its time to announce the winner. So the winner is..... (big drum role)......

Yeh, congratulations Sew Scrumptious, (http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com ) I hope your daughter Isabella likes it.

Thanks again everyone who entered. And remember they are available to purchase from my Folksy and new Misi shops.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

The Grump

Thank you to everyone who has entered my blog giveaway so far, remember you have until Friday to enter, by leaving your comment, the name you would like embroidered and who you would give it to.

I am so glad I said I would draw the name from a hat as I would have never been able to decide who to give it to, as there are so many lovely names and reasons.

Feeling a bit grumpy this week, I was working away at the weekend and did some fairly long hours, so feeling tired and means I am doing 12 days without a weekend. Not really enjoying my job very much at the moment either, so doesn't help with the grump.

But I think the main reason is the lack of crafting I have managed to do these last couple of weeks. I can't believe how much I have missed it .... I really need to do something soon.

Sorry old photo's again...