And yet more deliveries

More felt, this time from http://www.feltgirl.com/. She has the perfect greens that I'm currently unable to get from my other favourite felt supplier. I also got some mini red pom pom trim that's destined for some happy Birthday Banners.

I just had to show you this deco tape on her parcel, how lovely is that!

Now I'm going to keep this one a bit of a secret, just for a while, but this long awaited ( it took 10days to get to me!) parcel was crammed full with the most gorgeous fabrics which will be the basis for 8 new collections, I'm so excited, I could burst.

I've had the most fantastic week for orders, which is just brilliant, however, every penny has been reinvested back into LITTLE KITTEN. I just love fabric and sewing and couldn't possibly imagine doing anthing else. Whilst LITTLE KITTEN in is it's infancy, I see this as something that I hope to be doing for years to come, so I see all the investment as money well spent.

Sarah x

More deliveries

I've been virtually waiting at the door for the past few days, waiting for new fabrics to arrive, yesterday was the day, when it all happened.

I recently fell victim to the clutches of http://www.fabricrehab.co.uk/ , I was warned once you visit, you never leave empty handed, how true, I couldn't resist adding just a few more fabrics from the Wild Thyme collection to those I already have. I just need to take some fabric photo's then I will, in the next day or two, be listing this a Personalised Bunting Collection.

I have also discovered http://www.saintsandpinners.co.uk/ , just look at how lovely their delivery looked.

The spot fabric was ordered in especially for a commission I have, but the planets fabric part of the David Walker robots collection, will soon be making it's way into a new "Space" themed bunting............and I've still more to show


Sarah x

A spare evening

Take one box of off cuts

add some gorgeous 100% wool felt

mix in a spot of colour


a dash of silk, a little bit of sewing


and you get heart brooches, made with love!

Sarah x

Wrapping and Packing - Rubber Stamp

I realised this morning that I never included a picture of my lovely rubber stamps. Well here they are. I just love the wooden handles, but then again, as we all know, I am a traditionalist!

Wrapping and Packing

Wrapping and Packing as it is affectionately known in our house is sooo important. I'm one of those people who have always enjoyed wrapping Christmas Presents. Every year I have a theme and then take great pleasure in choosing the paper and ribbons and then wrapping the presents. So I guess it's no surprise that I want my LITTLE KITTEN parcels to look lovely!
After much debate, I went with a Pink theme, now I know my online presence is green and grey, but I decided that I wanted my parcels to stand out and be easily recognisable. So to start off with I wrap my creation with Pink tissue paper and seal it with a hand stamped "thank you" sticker, more about those in a moment. I then tie the package with natural twine.

One of the first things that I ever ordered, long before I went live online, was my business cards. A must for anyone, I think it stems from my past life as a Bank Manager (we won't go into that) where I always handed out my card. I ordered mine from Vista Print. I went for a very plain card in Grey with a darker Grey font. The cards are great as I can also use them as tag ties if I'm doing a fair. There is room for me to write a short note, which I always do when sending a parcel. If possible I use my fountain pen, a gift from my Dad, who collects pens. It is a chunky Mont Blanc, I don't have the best hand writing but it's definitely nicer when I use this pen. It also makes me think of dad.

Another thing that I cherish is the single hole puncher, this belonged to my Grandfather, and is just so useful. I tie one of my cards to every parcel.

Now to my rubber stamps, I had these custom made by a fellow etsian http://www.lovetocreatestamps.etsy.com/. I have a return address one and a thank you stamp with my web address detailed. They are really great and give a handmade feel to my parcels.Now it's ok making my parcels look pretty, but they also need to be secure and water tight, so I send everything in thick, strong and water proof bags, in pink of course!



My latest packaging creation is my little homemade note cards. I used ready made blank cards, then printed off my wording, cut them to size and then added a little sticker from my StickerBook from MOO

And that's it, although I'm sure I'll always be adding to it.

Sarah x

Missing delivery has arrived

Hooray, my missing felt order arrived. Poor Sarah from paper-and-string put my order in the post last Monday and horror of horrors it went missing aagghh. I always cut any fabric as economically as possible, but even I have to accept that I could not get any more letters out of my Baby Pink felt

Inside was my beautiful soft felt

Gingham buttons

and more ribbons to add to the stash

I'm feeling inspired! Sarah x

Failed again on the blogging front - sorry

It's been an interesting few days. Andy my husband has gone out of area for nearly 9 weeks. To be honest the week before he went was horrible, the anticipation of him going is actually worse than the real thing. The children are getting use to it now, he's only been back for 16 weeks since the last trip away, but the good new is, he'll be home for months when he gets back which is great.

The good news is I've been really busy with commissions which is fantastic and two lovely customers have come back for second orders, which is just brilliant. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

I've also been very busy making up bunting in new, fabulous fabrics and colours. I've fallen for Riley Blake fabrics. I felt that I was letting the boys down slightly by not having any boyish prints, so after much searching (not a hardship) I've chosen his All Star collection and the Wheels collection. I'm really happy with how they've turned out what do you think?

Sarah x

Other News

Well it was my Birthday last weekend. So after breakfast in bed, we went to the jewellers. I was bought a Pandora Bracelet for christmas and I wanted to add some more charms. I chose a silver heart from Andy, a little silver parcel from the children and the most gorgeous pink and red glass one from my parents. I want my bracelet to make me think of all of my family.

Anyway, clutching my very pretty gift wrapped bag, we headed back to the car, despite Andy's beat efforts, he couldn't however, keep me out of the car boot taking place in the market square. And good job too, cause there was this lovely little stool, not very pretty at the moment, I admit, but just perfect for when I'm on the laptop in the kitchen. You just wait a lick of paint and it'll look gorgeous and what a bargain for £2!!!

So I think I made a pretty picture, jewellery bag in one hand, car boot stool in the other! Sarah x

Ooops, broke my New Years Resolution

Sorry despite my best intentions, have broken my resolution to update my blog........MUST TRY HARDER!

Anyway I've not been putting my feet up, I've been making some new banners. I had two things in mind, I wanted to make something for the boys and I wanted to make Birthday Banners. Now bearing in mind how expensive birthdays are, I wanted to make a banner that could be used year after year. I also love traditions, I think it's really important that you grow up remembering things that you did as a child, hopefully my children will.

So what I came up with was a banner with interchangable parts, that can be swopped around and added to, so drum roll..............

Happy Birthday Banner for the boys. I've been wanting to use my Cath Kidston Cowboy for ages, I'm really pleased how it looks on the banner. The Felt stars made me think of a sheriffs badge. I've sewn velcro to the banner and the back of the stars, so you can change them over as each year passes. I'm in love with the HAPPY BIRTHDAY ribbon, it's gorgeous. I got it from www.paper-and-string.co.uk . (Now a complete favourite shop of mine!)

This ones got interchangeable names as well as the numbers, let me know what you think.

Sarah x

Website is live!

Sorry for the lack of updates this week. I've been working on my website http://www.littlekittenhomemade.co.uk/

which I have now opened to the world. It's still a work in progress, but to be honest, I can't believe what I've achieved so far. Check out the link at the top of the page.

The next job is to set up the shop. I've got lots of lovely things made ready to put in it, so I need to get the camera out and take some pictures and get listing, listing, listing!

I've also had my best 2 weeks ever with 6 orders for bunting in the last 10 days and a repeat order, thank you soooo much! I've also had some fantastic feedback, which I'm very proud of.

Sarah x

Brooches

BEFORE

Now, the thing is I LOVE making my wool felt brooches. it's the colour and texture of the felt. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting there with my box of felt to my left, my embroidery threads in front of me and my button boxes to my right. Now I know that sounds sad, but there you go!

The thing is, I've not been happy with the photo's that I took. Firstly I did them on a white background, then a black one, but they still didn't look right. Yes you could see the amazing colours, but they were just not right. This was confirmed by some feedback from a customer, who said the brooch was much nicer in real life than the photo.

So I've had a rethink ( inspired by some gorgeous fabric I got from http://www.fabricrehab.co.uk/ ) and redid all my photo's

AFTER

So what do you think? I love the simplicity of the brooches, they look stunning pinned to you coat, cardie or bag (My daughter has one of my smaller flowers pinned to her hat, it looks lovely!)

Well I guess the proof will be if they sell............... fingers crossed, I'm in need of a
relaxing evening with my felt!

Sarah x

Happy Days!

Happy, Happy, Happy!!

It's happened, hooray, I got my first Personalised order of Etsy, thank you. It's all done and in the post, so I hope it will make it's new owner smile!

This has been closely followed by three orders on Ebay.............fantastic!

I've also had brooch sales on Folksy and Misi, so I think you can guess........I'm happy!

Hooray, now that inspired me and I've also been busy making some new celebration Buntings.

"HOORAY" "Marry me?" "Mr and Mrs" "Just Married!"

Should be on my shops be the end of the week.

Think I'll hang a "HOORAY" in my sewing room.

Sarah x

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