I've really been neglecting my blog these last few months and I thought it was time to catch up and make a resolution to blog at least once a week.
So, what has been going on in my world? I've made major changes with my work life and not before time either. Money was coming in slowly from my hand mades and haberdashery stuff but I was seriously considering giving the whole lot up as a bad job as I wasn't earning enough to pay the bills. I was also quite depressed and had let home life (i.e. housework) get on top of me until I wasn't sure if I'd ever get back on track with it all. So, not being the kind of person to lie down and give up I decided to start by sorting out the many hundreds of books that I have acquired over the years, and I do mean very many hundreds. After filling a mountain of cardboard boxes with books I started to churn over an idea in my mind. What to do with the books?? Then it came to me, sell them at the market alongside my other stuff and that's how "Bookworm pre-loved books" was born!! It's proved to be very successful and not only have I created extra space in my home but I've actually been able to enjoy the fruits of my labours and treat myself to life's little luxuries every now and again. In fact, it's proved so successful that I'm now having to buy second hand books to replenish my stock. Another plus is that apart from having to clean all of the books before I sell them I have so much more time to do the things I love. I won't ever stop sewing but at least this way I have an income and I can make stuff because I want to make it, not because I'm hoping that someone will want to buy it and psychologically that makes a big difference to my peace of mind.
I've been making lots of Union Jack bunting this last few days ready to decorate my market stall for the Royal Wedding on Friday. I've also sold quite a bit of it and a few Union Jack aprons as people seem to be determined to celebrate in style and a lot of folk are having barbecues if the weather is still good. I hope that the sun shines for William and Kate on their special day and that they don't find the television cameras and crews too intrusive.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Catching up at last
I didn't realise how long it had been since I've had the time to write my blog. Goodness me, how time flies.
A lot of things have been happening in our family recently. We've had a new baby boy, my 5th grandchild. His name is Edward Reuben and he was born on 3rd of January. He is absolutely adorable and much loved by all of the family. Unfortunately for my daughter-in-law Sarah, Reuben was born by emergency c.section as he had turned into the breech position when she went into labour but she recovered very quickly and was up and about within hours of his birth. My son Richard is absolutely besotted with Reuben, as are we all. I just wish that my late husband was here to enjoy him with us.
On the work front, my market cabin is going from strength to strength. Special orders are pouring in and I'm swamped under at the moment with repairs and alterations too. I'm also busy launching a new range of babies and children's clothes on my own "Little Cupcake" label. I'm also teaching sewing one day a week at my cabin too. So as you can see, I'm keeping very busy indeed.
My collection of vintage sewing machines has grown and I now have 3 hand crank Singers, a treadle Jones and an old electric Jones too. I'm hoping to acquire a rare Jones cam machine soon which I can't wait to get and I'm on the lookout for an old industrial machine that I can use for my business.
The weather here in the High Peak of Derbyshire has been quite bad this winter and we have had more than the usual amount of snow to contend with. It's also been bitterly cold a lot of the time which means that I go to the market in so many layers of clothing and socks that I look like a well padded teddy bear. Won't my regulars get a shock when the summer comes and I can wear my more usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. I just can't wait for summer to arrive so that I can get out into my little garden to do all of those little jobs that always need doing. I'm planning on creating a lavender garden this year and a small herb garden plus a catnip plot for the fur babies to enjoy. I want to get some climbing roses too to go around the back door and lots of jasmine in pots plus a few strawberry plants and tomatoes. Meanwhile I shall have to be content with reading my gardening books and looking through the new seed catalogues for inspiration.
I must post some new photographs of my cabin too as it has changed a lot in the last few months.
A lot of things have been happening in our family recently. We've had a new baby boy, my 5th grandchild. His name is Edward Reuben and he was born on 3rd of January. He is absolutely adorable and much loved by all of the family. Unfortunately for my daughter-in-law Sarah, Reuben was born by emergency c.section as he had turned into the breech position when she went into labour but she recovered very quickly and was up and about within hours of his birth. My son Richard is absolutely besotted with Reuben, as are we all. I just wish that my late husband was here to enjoy him with us.
On the work front, my market cabin is going from strength to strength. Special orders are pouring in and I'm swamped under at the moment with repairs and alterations too. I'm also busy launching a new range of babies and children's clothes on my own "Little Cupcake" label. I'm also teaching sewing one day a week at my cabin too. So as you can see, I'm keeping very busy indeed.
My collection of vintage sewing machines has grown and I now have 3 hand crank Singers, a treadle Jones and an old electric Jones too. I'm hoping to acquire a rare Jones cam machine soon which I can't wait to get and I'm on the lookout for an old industrial machine that I can use for my business.
The weather here in the High Peak of Derbyshire has been quite bad this winter and we have had more than the usual amount of snow to contend with. It's also been bitterly cold a lot of the time which means that I go to the market in so many layers of clothing and socks that I look like a well padded teddy bear. Won't my regulars get a shock when the summer comes and I can wear my more usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. I just can't wait for summer to arrive so that I can get out into my little garden to do all of those little jobs that always need doing. I'm planning on creating a lavender garden this year and a small herb garden plus a catnip plot for the fur babies to enjoy. I want to get some climbing roses too to go around the back door and lots of jasmine in pots plus a few strawberry plants and tomatoes. Meanwhile I shall have to be content with reading my gardening books and looking through the new seed catalogues for inspiration.
I must post some new photographs of my cabin too as it has changed a lot in the last few months.
Catching up at last
I didn't realise how long it had been since I've had the time to write my blog. Goodness me, how time flies.
A lot of things have been happening in our family recently. We've had a new baby boy, my 5th grandchild. His name is Edward Reuben and he was born on 3rd of January. He is absolutely adorable and much loved by all of the family. Unfortunately for my daughter-in-law Sarah, Reuben was born by emergency c.section as he had turned into the breech position when she went into labour but she recovered very quickly and was up and about within hours of his birth. My son Richard is absolutely besotted with Reuben, as are we all. I just wish that my late husband was here to enjoy him with us.
On the work front, my market cabin is going from strength to strength. Special orders are pouring in and I'm swamped under at the moment with repairs and alterations too. I'm also busy launching a new range of babies and children's clothes on my own "Little Cupcake" label. I'm also teaching sewing one day a week at my cabin too. So as you can see, I'm keeping very busy indeed.
My collection of vintage sewing machines has grown and I now have 3 hand crank Singers, a treadle Jones and an old electric Jones too. I'm hoping to acquire a rare Jones cam machine soon which I can't wait to get and I'm on the lookout for an old industrial machine that I can use for my business.
The weather here in the High Peak of Derbyshire has been quite bad this winter and we have had more than the usual amount of snow to contend with. It's also been bitterly cold a lot of the time which means that I go to the market in so many layers of clothing and socks that I look like a well padded teddy bear. Won't my regulars get a shock when the summer comes and I can wear my more usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. I just can't wait for summer to arrive so that I can get out into my little garden to do all of those little jobs that always need doing. I'm planning on creating a lavender garden this year and a small herb garden plus a catnip plot for the fur babies to enjoy. I want to get some climbing roses too to go around the back door and lots of jasmine in pots plus a few strawberry plants and tomatoes. Meanwhile I shall have to be content with reading my gardening books and looking through the new seed catalogues for inspiration.
A lot of things have been happening in our family recently. We've had a new baby boy, my 5th grandchild. His name is Edward Reuben and he was born on 3rd of January. He is absolutely adorable and much loved by all of the family. Unfortunately for my daughter-in-law Sarah, Reuben was born by emergency c.section as he had turned into the breech position when she went into labour but she recovered very quickly and was up and about within hours of his birth. My son Richard is absolutely besotted with Reuben, as are we all. I just wish that my late husband was here to enjoy him with us.
On the work front, my market cabin is going from strength to strength. Special orders are pouring in and I'm swamped under at the moment with repairs and alterations too. I'm also busy launching a new range of babies and children's clothes on my own "Little Cupcake" label. I'm also teaching sewing one day a week at my cabin too. So as you can see, I'm keeping very busy indeed.
My collection of vintage sewing machines has grown and I now have 3 hand crank Singers, a treadle Jones and an old electric Jones too. I'm hoping to acquire a rare Jones cam machine soon which I can't wait to get and I'm on the lookout for an old industrial machine that I can use for my business.
The weather here in the High Peak of Derbyshire has been quite bad this winter and we have had more than the usual amount of snow to contend with. It's also been bitterly cold a lot of the time which means that I go to the market in so many layers of clothing and socks that I look like a well padded teddy bear. Won't my regulars get a shock when the summer comes and I can wear my more usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. I just can't wait for summer to arrive so that I can get out into my little garden to do all of those little jobs that always need doing. I'm planning on creating a lavender garden this year and a small herb garden plus a catnip plot for the fur babies to enjoy. I want to get some climbing roses too to go around the back door and lots of jasmine in pots plus a few strawberry plants and tomatoes. Meanwhile I shall have to be content with reading my gardening books and looking through the new seed catalogues for inspiration.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
A few photo's of my booth
Just few photographs of my booth at the local market. I appologise that they aren't the best photo's in the world but it was absolutely teeming with rain all day yesterday and also I'm not the best photographer in the world!
I've used the walls to display quite a lot of stuff. The rail of tea towels and aprons usually goes outside in front of the booth but it was too wet yesterday.
The table is still a little bare but that will soon fill up once I get working on more new things.
Some of my Halloween goodies. This part of the wall will be turned into a fireplace for my Christmas display.
The Santa sacks by the chair near the doorway. I've put a couple of my dolls in the top and stuffed the sacks with cushion inserts to show how much they can hold.
The view from outside, fortunately there is a small slanting roof above the doorway which keeps the rain off the door displays though I did have to cover the cushions over with clear plastic.
Monday, 27 September 2010
I love the way these turned out, especially the hat, it looks so old and worn. In fact, it looks nearly as old as the sewing machine it's sitting on.
Two little black cats for some of my more conservative customers.
Little Mr Teddy is knitted from organic mohair and cotton and is proving to be a big hit already and someone has ordered another three. This one is for a very special lady called Jan who is getting married to my eldest son on Saturday.
Things are going well at the market too and I have decided to take a permanent booth. I should get the key sometime this week and I'm hoping to get it ready for Fridays market and I'm opening with a Halloween theme. I'm so excited because it's been my dream for the last few years to have my own little shop where I can sell my work and also that of other local artisans and my little wooden booth is the first step in the right direction. Needless to say I may not have much time to post this week but I shall take lots of photos of the booth and post them over the weekend. Wish me luck.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Oops!
I didn't realise how long it had been since I last posted anything. I've been very busy setting up my market stall and making enough stock for it that I've been run off my feet. I've also had to source and purchase fabrics and haberdashery items and it's a maze out there when you're looking for a reliable and economic wholesaler. I still go to the mill shop but they have put up their prices quite a lot which makes it expensive when I'm wanting to buy aprons and tea towels by the hundred and despite me being a regular customer I can't get a discount for bulk buying so I only buy what I can't get elsewhere from them. I did get some lovely Victorian style apron fabric which has been printed with line drawings from Mrs. Beetons cookery book.
I did the local farmers market last week and had a great time getting to know the folk from the local market that I will be selling on as from tomorrow. My dolls were one of the best sellers as usual, also my linen Union Jack tea towels went like hot cakes. I've also been busy with the knitting pins and have made a pair of Victorian wristlets. I used to knit a lot many years ago but I stopped because I've always preferred sewing which I think suits my personality better as I like to be able to see a project through from start to finish without a break. I started knitting again to give me something to do in the evenings that is relaxing as I had got into the habit of working 12 to 14 hour days and was feeling guilty if I sat down in the evening and watched TV. So now I can relax and still be productive and hand knitted articles are becoming fashionable again this year and I'm enjoying experimenting with different types of wool that weren't available when I used to knit in the 80's and I love the big chunky knitting pins too. I've knitted some panels to make up into bags and I'm just waiting for the clasps to arrive so I can finish them off.
If any of you are in or around the Glossop area tomorrow please come and see me in the market as I'd love to meet you all face to face.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Appologies
I didn't realise how long it had been since I posted here. I applogise to my blog fans and promise I won't leave it so long next time.
I've been busy making things for a carnival I was having a booth at last weekend. It went really well and we sold quite a lot of stuff. I also got some orders for nappy cakes, quilts and bunting which is great. I met someone who works with my late husbands cousin and she is setting up for me to have a stall at the local market each week at a reduced fee. Great, that's how Marks and Spencer started out and now they have shops all over the world. I don't suppose I'll do that well but it will be a step in the right direction towards getting my little craft shop one day.
I hardly dare say it, because if I do things start to backslide but, I think things are on the up at the moment because I've also got some firm teaching sessions at New Mills library in September. I love the teaching and I'll be offering quilting too this time around.
I've been busy making things for a carnival I was having a booth at last weekend. It went really well and we sold quite a lot of stuff. I also got some orders for nappy cakes, quilts and bunting which is great. I met someone who works with my late husbands cousin and she is setting up for me to have a stall at the local market each week at a reduced fee. Great, that's how Marks and Spencer started out and now they have shops all over the world. I don't suppose I'll do that well but it will be a step in the right direction towards getting my little craft shop one day.
I hardly dare say it, because if I do things start to backslide but, I think things are on the up at the moment because I've also got some firm teaching sessions at New Mills library in September. I love the teaching and I'll be offering quilting too this time around.
Here are a couple of the dolls I made for the carnival and a quilted bucket tote bag I sold on Ebay.
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