new old designs

I had one of those "d'oh!" moments a couple of months back when a friend mentioned a process she was using for one of her bespoke creations.

you know those "if only I'd thought of that years ago" things that would have saved you trying various lengthy, time consuming, pricing-you-out-of-the-market type methods of using your designs?

I've had these inked and coloured designs on my pc for ages and have never found a quick enough and cost efficient method of using them for anything other than cards

anyhoo...the lightbulb came on, I slapped myself on the forehead (hard) and then got on with what I should have been trying years ago...transfer paper designs

I don't have the funds to get my designs printed, I don't have the expertise to do it myself and I no longer have the time or patience to try and recreate them in paint/fabric/felt etc

so transfer paper it is - with either hand or freestyle machine stitching to affix the top layer of felt to the bottom
and a little beading here and there where needed (or where I fancy)

so there you have it...or them...my new/old birthday badges, Christmas brooches & Christmas decorations.

What do you think?
I've already started doodling up some new ones too!
Have you had any kick yourself moments lately - go on, do share it'll help make me feel less of a muppet ;)
x


you can find some of the designs in my Etsy shop
and I will be adding them to my own website soon

just that sort of time

well hello there lovely people and how the devil are you?

I'm finding that...
  there are just not enough hours in a day...
  not enough days in the week...
  not enough pennies in the pot...
  and more than enough pounds on my bum!..
at the moment.

I get the impression from chats with pals, that it's just 'that' time of year and everyone's feeling it in some way or another. The rain and soaked-to-the-skin-super-absorbent-drizzle isn't helping much either. But!!! the leaves are looking mighty fine and I do like to snuggle on the sofa or sit in a pub in front of an open fire - so it's not all bad.
Plus Halloween is approaching - I love it! - as is Christmas...oh yes. Giddy giddy giddy! I love the build up...the plotting and the planning and the anticipation. The day is usually and anit-climax, but how can it not be with all that it is built up to be? As for Halloween - fun times here in our village where most people join in and you see crowds of children and parents, all dressed up, patrolling the streets and houses for treats, shrieks and giggles.

I'm having my very first open evening this Friday - not a huge event or anything...I'm just opening the doors to my home and inviting a few folk I know to come and see my Ditsy Bird creations 'in the flesh', sup a glass of wine and catch up with friends. After the initial 'what am I doing?!?!?!?!?' I'm now very much looking forward to it. It's been too long since I've had people round and this is a darned good excuse to do so.

I'm also dropping off stock at a new vintage shop*, Birdcage Vintage, opening up in Skipton, on Friday morning - so it's all systems go at home at the mo. Today, however, I'm in the office and actually taking a lunch break (bliss) and taking the time to write this little post, as well as having a bit of doodle ...some number brooch designs for the birthday numbers that I always seem to miss (7, 8, 9 & 10 if you're interested). 7, 9 and 10 are sorted so I'll work on 8 another day.

I hope all is well with you and yours! Try not to let the damp dampen your spirits - we'll soon be having those glorious bright, crisp Autumn days that are so good for the spirits.

Tata for now
x

*I've asterixed this because 'Vintage Shop' simply doesn't do it justice...it is so much more. A champion of recycling, handmade, learning new crafty skills as well as doing all of it for a very worthy cause indeed...Rachelle at Ted and Agnes did a great post on it over here if you want a little more info. It is a lovely blog to so why not stay around there a while and have a good read?

Pinned from Etsy

I have been feeding my Pinterest habit today with delights found on Etsy. I thought I'd share a few of these with those of you who may have yet to discover the visual feast that is Pinterest [warning: it can prove addictive]

handmade brooch by Blue Terracotta

white love bird garden ornament by Merritt Hyde*

meg satchel in cerise Harris Tweed by Catherine Aitken

vintage tin from kaftasarafan

the hare that can stare gocco print by Jane Ormes

*I bought a couple of Merritt Hyde items for Christmas last year - a dragonfly for my mum and a fabulous Christmas decoration for George (I try to buy him a new decoration every year) - they were a big hit.

Sx

PS if anyone fancies joining pinterest, I am able to invite friends!

Sunday night

George, my 8 year old son, decided that he would really rather like to make some money for himself by selling off his old books...in our front garden. so, George's Marvellous Book Sale was born...
The sale went really well and, not only has he managed to pay off the cost of his new scooter helmet, he also has enough to buy some new fab and groovy grip tape! Lost? Me too! All we really need to know is that he is one happy boy and I've successfully rid the house of 2 more piles of 'stuff'. You know, 'stuff', the infection that spreads through any ordinary household filling up cupboards, drawers and shelves. I am waging war on our 'stuff' and it's starting to work - I can spot actual gaps on shelves and can even see the floor of the spare room now. Result.


What with putting all the photos of the books of Facebook for friends to view and reserve, pricing them all up, painting banners, stringing up bunting & balloons and setting up the tables with the books...oh and 3 hours in the park whilst G tackled the ramps (I wouldn't look - didn't dare)...it's been a busy and full weekend.


But tonight, this lovely Sunday night, G is bed...the OH is fast alseep on the sofa due to an afternoon with pals watching footie...so I'm having a 'me' night. Heaven. I've plucked my eyebrows, filed my toenails, filed and painted my finger nails, eaten a Cornetto, caught up on Sky+'d programmes, changed the bedding (clean sheets rock my world) and now I'm messing about on my laptop. Like I said...Heaven.


Happy Sunday night folks
x

Stockist!

Wahoo!
This little bird is one very proud, puffed-out-chest little bird - on account of having her first ever bricks and mortar stockist...oh yes.
You can now find Ditsy Bird stitchery goodness at The Stalls in Harrogate, thanks to the lovely Natasha (and she really is lovely).

photo from The Stalls, Facebook page

If this is the first you have heard of The Stalls, my friends, then you are missing a treat. I think Curator, rather than Shopkeeper would be a better way to describe what Natasha does...there is a wonderfully varied, carefully chosen array of handmade delights to be found...and in a fantastically airy space. I have visited twice and still found new products on my whirl around today, and am sure I will spot more next time. 

photo from The Stalls, Facebook page

Not only are the designers varied but so are the products...jewellery, art, greetings cards, dolls, scarves, bags, pinnies...textiles, woodwork, printed work, shrink plastic, paper goods...I could go on but instead, I'm going to let you explore for yourself. Wander around listening to the music playing in the background, and admire the work that has gone into each and every item...it is truly a treasure trove! And better still, there's a little cafe* next door where you can sit outside and have a coffee whilst gazing at the products in the window and relishing in the purchase you have made :) 
[As Natasha deals personally with each designer/maker, she is the perfect person to chat to if you are looking for something a little bit different, or maybe something bespoke for a special occasion.]


3 Bower Street,
Harrogate
HG1 5BQ


Opening times are:
Tues 11-5
Thurs&Fri 11-5
Sat 10:30-6


Sx
* I have yet to try this cafe but I'm hoping to give it a whirl next time...

Reflecting

I sat in the garden this evening, reading blogs and reflecting on the lovely day we'd had.

Nothing ground breaking (and maybe that was the charm of it all), just the ticking off of chores and the relaxing with good friends, listening to children's giggles and supping loose leaf Darjeeling tea brewed for precisely 3 minutes, black, with one sugar*.

It's the simple things that can often make the biggest impact on your day.

x

[*as recommended to me by the lovely @mysecrettearoom on Twitter and brewed perfectly, for my first ever taste by Rachelle - the lovely, kind hearted Rachelle - of the Secret Teacup @secretteacup

follow the Flickr trail

Someone added me as a contact this week so I thought I'd take a look at their photostream, and that's where the trail started...

this made me smile so I looked further

and I loved this

then I clicked on their fave photos by other Flickr members and found these beauties

and then this ♥

and to a happy stitchery town

where will the Flickr trail lead you to today?

x

**edit: links now added to the photos Sx