The Allotment

Did I mention that we have allotment? It's a family affair, us and mum. We were allocated it last May, having been on the waiting list for 18 months. We managed to grow lots of vegetables, despite playing catch up. Our biggest mistake................. we spent far too long looking at what we'd grown instead of eating it! Lesson learn't.

I know it doesn't look very promising at the moment, but we planted lots of fruit last year. Strawberries, Raspberries, Tayberries, Rhubarb and Gooseberries, so we are all hoping for a bountiful harvest. Little man (my son) has grand plans for Strawberry Ice cream this summer.

Now every allotment needs to have a shed. Now I know ours is perhaps the ugly duckling, but I think with a lick of paint and a bit of creativity, it could turn into a swan. Any ideas, let me know!

So, after 2 hours digging (believe me it was very cold!) Mum and I had found mud. We're off to buy potatoes tomorrow and we've got plans for a summer veg area and winter veg area and it's going to look lovely........note to self, and taste delicious!

I'll keep you up to date.

Sarah x

NEW WEBSITE

Andy (my husband) is getting a bit worried. His techno phobic wife is maybe, just perhaps, getting a little carried away. I decided over the last few weeks, that it would make sense to have my own website, where I could showcase LITTLE KITTEN Homemade products.

Now I'm sure to most of you, you wouldn't be daunted by this is the slightest, but bearing in mind that up to 3 months ago, I couldn't even download the photo's from the camera to the computer, maybe, I have to concede, Andy is justified in being worried.

However, not being one to be phased by a challenge, I've bought a 'do it yourself ' kit from Mr Site and have spent the weekend attached to the laptop. ( I have to say I'm quite pleased with what I've achieved so far, but it is still a work in progress! )

Anyway, I thought I would share the "let's have a laugh moment" from the weekend............I felt that it would give my site a personal slant, if I featured a photo of me "at work". So I got Andy to take some photo's. Now this is not as easy at it sounds, my desk is built into a bay window, so to get a sideways view he had to bend his body at an angle which it really wasn't designed for. He also had to deal with, "do I look fat in that picture" " sorry, take another I don't like it" comments. It's a good job he's patient........ he took alot of photo's!

Anyway, this is the end result, can't say I'm loving it, but it's about as good as it's going to get. (Andy advised me to show it in black and white, because that way it would disguise the grey hair!) OK I take the hint I've been very busy, I'm of to the hairdressers this Friday!

Sarah x

FOLKSY UP AND RUNNING

My Folksy shop now has some items for sale, of course my trade mark Personalised Bunting is there

And some felt, including this gorgeous, Nautical inspired brooch with a Vintage stripe button.

This little chap is really "tweet!"

For those romantic ones out there, this red gingham LOVE heart cushion. I used some of my precious Laura Ashley strawberry fabric in this creation.

Well so far I've had people looking and hearting my items and 1 lovely person has hearted my shop, now I just need some sales!

Still feeling very optimistic for my new online set of shops.

Sarah x

The Grand Unveiling

It's finished, I just love it when the light catches the buttons, they just sparkle!

I'm just trying to decided which number is my favourite.


What do you think?

I'm still loving number 9

Let me know........the next question is should I sell it?

Sarah x

HIGHS

How excited was I when last night I got a convo on Etsy from fellow Etsian Jessica from http://www.inkblotcafe.etsy.com/ to say that she had featured me in her blog.

http://jmaeinthehouseonhancock.blogspot.com/2010/01/bunting-not-baseball.html

It's a really lovely article and was quite out of the blue, thank you Jessica.

Sarah x

ETSY FORUMS AND PROMOTION

Now I've been reading loads of articles of Etsy, and it says one of the best ways to get known in the community is to join in the Forums. So during the last week I've dipped a tentative toe in and joined in on a few discussions.

Last night (Andy was at work) I was feeling a brave and thought "GO GIRL" and posted my own topic in Critiques "HELP I'm new, how do I look?"

Some really nice people joined in and gave me lots of encouraging comments and also some ideas on what I can do better. So today I'm going to

1. Look at my photo's, are the bunting pictures taken in front of my gorgeous wallpaper too busy?

2.Retake the coastal blue "LOVE" bunting picture as it's a bit blurred

3. think about people who may like to order more than one bunting

Well already thought about no 3 and drum roll................I have a promotion

******* TO CELEBRATE MY GRAND OPENING, UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY 2010, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ORDERS OF 2 OR MORE PERSONALISED ITEMS WILL RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT OF THE LIST PRICE *******

Hopefully I'll get some Etsy sales today, watch this space

Sarah x

HEY, I'VE SOLD A BROOCH

Feeling happy, woke up this morning and there it was............a lovely email from Paypal confirming I've sold a brooch on Ebay, fantastic!

I haven't added any to my Etsy shop yet and I've still got loads to put on my Folksy.........what shall I do............. add or not to add, that is the question?

I love making them, I think it's the wonderful colours of the 100% wool felt I'm drawn too. I get them from Blooming Felt, just love her website http://www.bloomingfelt.co.uk/ check it out if you have time.

Will ponder and let you know.

Sarah x

NUMBER BUNTING

Couldn't wait.......was taking photo's for my shops and thought I'd show some previews of my bunting, all be it, in it's unfinished state. I'm liking 9 with it's multi coloured buttons and 10 because it's got the MOST gorgeous vintage button on it.

I know it's family day, but the boys are at Rugby training and my daughter is having her nap. I have been busy though, done the ironing, made Pumpkin soup, and tidied up the toys from this morning. (I just don't know what I did with myself in life before Etsy and Folksy)

I'm off to finish lunch!

Sarah x

Button Collection, Good news / Bad news

I spent yesterday making a "one of" Bunting. I've been playing with the idea of numbers and the alphabet. So I made a 1 - 10 bunting in some lovely pink fabrics and then hand appliqued the numbers. Then I sewed buttons onto it to represent each number. I used some new buttons, but also added some from my treasured collection of vintage buttons, which were from my Mum's and Nan's button box. Mum has also collected buttons over the years and let me have some really beautiful ones, which I'm saving for just the right project. I have to confess, I do have my own little stash, which are just for me!

Obviously, whilst I was having my sewing day, Andy was in charge of the children........good news the snow has melted..........bad news, it rained all day, so after drawing, lego, reading, cbeebies, computer, there was nothing for it, but to go on a cake run. I was hoping for chocolate cake, but the chosen cakes were custard donughts, nice ( well any cake is nice) but I have to say, I am and I will always be a traditionalist, Jam is definately the best.

Family day today and I've got a lie in, well I'm not asleep, cause I'm doing my blog, but so far I've had a cup of tea bought to me, and fingers crossed, marmite toast to follow. Now there's another topic for you, LOVE it or HATE it.................................. I'll leave that one with you!

Sarah x

MY NEW SEWING ROOM

At last........I've got my own sewing room! To be honest I think Andy (my husband) got fed up with all my LITTLE KITTEN bits and pieces taking over the house. So my son and the old spare room have done a swap and hey presto, I have my own space. (The little man is also happy as he has a new grown up boys bedroom with aeroplane curtains and duvet!)

Andy built my desk, and I covered it in red gingham oilcloth. Still got the finishing touches to do, the chalk board, made by Andy and painted by mum, is still to go up on the wall, but I LOVE it!!

What do you think of my banners? I'm feeling the love and decided to make some "I Love you" fabric banners from some of my favourite Cath Kidston and Laura Ashley fabrics. Feeling inspired, I also made a personalised banner as a present to celebrate a friend's daughter's birthday. I'm really happy with how it turned out, I hope she likes it too.

Sarah x

ETSY AND FOLKSY SHOP

I have been spending hours setting up my new shops. After lots of searching and being a techno novice, I've made my first major decision and paid a fellow ETSY shop owner WWW.CutesyPixels.etsy.com to do all my banners and avatars for my new shops, my blog and my ebay shop. I'm really excited and can't wait to work with her on my image. I'm definitely keeping my LITTLE KITTEN label in my grey colourway as I love it and it looks great whatever fabric I sew it on to..... but then I'm going to leave the rest to her, but definitely no pictures of cats or kittens!

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR xx