Up above the clouds..

Decided to use a Turin Brakes song title today. Very pleased this week, sold several things on etsy and my first sale on Folksy. Got 2 custom orders to do. Off to bed in a minute and it will be my second full week. Last week went well and I managed to get through without being totally zombiefied. Very pleased with the fabric I ordered from Spoonflower and also how the bags turned out that I made with my Gocco printed fabric. Going to treat myself to some more Spoonflower fabric with my new designs.

Oh yeah and why is simple DIY so frustrating, I read a page in a book on what to do and followed the instructions but still the wall plugs would not fit in, how do people know which size to use. I am a reasonably intelligent person why can't I do this.

Oh dear, it's over

Well that's it, school starts offically again tomorrow. I would like to say a big thank you to NiftyKnits who I met at the Folksy picnic for her fab comments on my blog and her support with thinking about things in my shop.
Today I have been mostly thinking about finishing a commission I have been working on, here is a little picture of the fabric I created for part of it. I love making my own fabric, they usually start life as a plain piece of felt, which I embellish on my sewing machine, oh i love the different stitches it has, which threads, stamped images, netting and other things I just can't think of right now.

I have just realised how tired I am, thinking it comes from spending too long staring at excel tonight. Being a sensible grown up, again!!

Right definately off to bed, must read some more of Breaking Dawn, the final book in the Twilight series, a good easy read, I can see why it is so popular with the Teenage market. A fun read, like going to a chick flick film.

Trying something new and taking a breath

Today I was a good girl and I did planing and paperwork for school, even though my new gorgeous fabric from Moutain of the dragon arrived, there was Amy Butler, My Folklore and Kaffe Kassett. It sat and stared at me all morning, whilst I worked away on the laptop. I was very pleased several times, when I thought I had a whole piece of work to do, to find that I had already started it back in July, I think 'Get in' could be heard several times this morning. Just need some paper now to be able to print things out, don't want to risk hoping I can do that at work tomorrow as I get the feeling the server will be down. Having a tantrum for being ignored for 6 weeks. Then when I felt I had done enough and would treat myself to a bit of making I was asked to read an email, that we were a) expecting and b) knew wouldn't be great.
Trouble is it can still be easy to get irritated and wound up. But I am learning to become more Zen as time goes by. I have to accept that we can not rationalise with everyone and that some people form opinions from a situation that we can never change, whatever we do, or however we behave. It can be hard to not want to put this how they are and nit pick.
On the other hand I then decided to treat myself to a little play with the new fabric. I hate the table mats we have, they are old and stained, and it is not possible to get the stains out, I have tried. So a google searching I went, 'How to make a fabric placemat' only to realise I could probably work it out myself.
I am very pleased with how they have turned out except for one thing. As I was machining lines horizontally the fabric would seem to have spare at the end (with the batting) and create a bit of a lump. I have never done quilting, and I think I kind of made a mini quilt. What did I do wrong? would appreciate some tips. Here is the result:

2 in one day after so long!!!!

I have made a promise to myself to get back to my blogging again. So I am overdoing it today!!. After a great 6 weeks of making, pottering, holidaying, tidying I now have to face facts that I must return to the work that pays the bills. I do love it really, but it always takes me a while to get back into the swing of it. So I thought I would begin today.
Did someone sneak in and wipe my brain at some point??
Things that were so cohesive and clear now seem like a maze to find. I am sure I would not have left them in silly places on my computer. I so love a bit of folder organisation, geeky I know, and proud of it. I found some of what I needed in the computer recycling bin!! Wonders will never cease. Thank heavens for the restore button.
I am trying to make a list so that I feel purposeful but the bags on the table that need to be stitched are calling me, the looking at twitter and other people's blogs is distracting me, anything in fact. I am slowing getting there and must make some progress tomorrow. In the mean time lets have a look back at things I have made and done this holiday:

A confession to make

lego house_0002
Originally uploaded by sequin girlie

I must confess that I am a closest Lego fan. I have no children of my own and so I can not use them as an excuse. Back in Easter I bought the lego death star set and I am still building it, over 3000 pieces. Recently I treated myself to a medium set that was a house and I decided to make a movie of me making it. It is not great but it is fun, nonetheless.

A new passion

I have been making all the while I have been away but I have also become a step mum to a gorgeous little girl. I could not resist putting my making skills to use in this area and after many hours trawling the wonderful internet for ideas and much salivating in material shops I made these little numbers for her. Can't wait to see how the fit this weekend. Had to do the measurements from memory and using clothes she wears. Looking forward to making many more.

I'm back with discounts

I have finally returned to the world of blogging, I can't believe how long it has been. I have updated my etsy shop and reduced all my prices, many by 20 or 10 dollars. All photographys are half the price they were. Got more things to upload but need to wrestle the camera of bf to be able to do that. Laptop has also died so hard to get pictures up at the moment. Off to finish new handbag for myself. Blog again soon, honest.

Starting to build back up

I have been busy tidying my study and getting back into working on my art. Thought I would share a few things i love from etsy, things I would buy when i sell my next item:

This wonderful picture can be found here. I just love the expression the bird has and the colours, well done mincingmockingbird.

This wonderful picture can be found here.

It is just so fab in the monochrome. Nice work Sophiac.

How much am I lovin this necklace by Surly found here. It is everything i like, birds, purple, silver and the rock chick look.

And lastly a fabulous pair of earrings. Found here.

Finally some making

It has been a while since I have been able to face making anything. But at the end of last week I started again. These are bags that have been placed as custom orders.

mmmm

i have had a good week of selling things non shop based but etsy is still not selling after the first initail flurrish.
I think i need to do something radical, with my making and other things. Think i need a change, voluntary work, teacher exchange something completely different. To try and get the joy back.
Need to go and investiagte.

Trying out new ideas

Today i have been trying to make a drawing string bag that isnt lined. Couldnt find anything in the books i own, typical. So i have created my own.

I have also been listening to Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah and Wiley -Wearing my rolex. Been kinda dancing around whilst making. Must becareful with the scissors!

More photographs

I have been busy clearing up the house, making up for the last few weeks where all i have done is make things. But I also found some time to take some photographs.
The neighbours cat who keeps visiting:One of my new bags with hand goccoed peacock design.
Flower in my garden - what a great colour.
Another new bag I have made using the peaccock design.
Ah yes, where all the magic happens, my study.

Interesting Times

Still had no sales on etsy but my head is clearer. Been a strange week though. Had a great morning at a wood fair, all things to do with wood funnily enough. Beautiful birds of prey there. Had to take some photographs.

New bags and bits

I must restock my shop. I have made many things but seem to be running out of steam with etsy. Think it is because I haven't had a sale for 2 months. Thing is I have got lots of orders and sales elsewhere so there is no reason for me to feel bothered by this, but I still do. My head is in many places at the moment. Winding down for the summer, getting ready for September. Thinking about life in general, do I be sensible or go crazy, splash out, save for things to come, go with my gut feeling, think ahead, weigh up everything????? Arrr tooooo many choices, someone to tell me the answers would be good. Only good thing is the doodles that have come from this pondering.

Here are a few of them. Maybe things will come clear if I don't overthink them. Doing the right thing from a choice of 2 right things is impossible. How can you choose.

Making side of things - My cards using my Gocco turned out fantastically and I sold quite a few at the fair.

I am back

I had a wicked weekend at the Mighty Boosh festival. Here are some photos. Now I shall start to restock my shop.

Shop shut for the weekend

I have shut my etsy shop for the weekend as I am going to a have a stall at a fair and then restock it with lots of new goodies. Also off to a one day festival - whooh the Mighty Boosh. I can't wait. There will be photos, new bags and special offers at the beginning of next week. Feeling pretty chipper.

Heres a few sneaky peak photos and new bags: