We Make

*phew*

I'm glad I'm home!  Yesterday was a VERY long day... thankfully made shorter by the lovely Sally from Stitchy Woo Woo.

I left home shortly after 6am so I could catch the bus up to London from Milton Keynes.  I'm a great supporter of public transport - but I'm not sure I'd use National Express again!  The website was terribly confusing as to which stops I could use with luggage in the hold - and even a call to their call centre did nothing to help, so in the end I settled for travelling into Victoria Coach station.   Now I had trouble navigating the coach station so heaven help anyone from another country visiting and ending up there!  Anyway by 9:30am I was at the venue - having bumped into Angharad on route (with her lovely daughter and father).

It was lovely to meet fellow Etsian's both stall holders and customers.  I met some blog readers too - which was lovely, as you're never quite sure if you have any!!  The day was quieter than I might have liked, however I made several sales, and a couple of custom orders and it was wonderful to meet up with fellow crafters.

The delightful Abi came up from Devon bringing my custom tops that she'd made - beautiful and I must remember to show you a photo!

The topping of the day came when Sally heard that I was travelling by coach and offered me a lift in her car all the way to Milton Keynes - thanks to Lovealittle's mum Renee for organising that!

Lots of photos of the day can be found over at Flickr::  http://www.flickr.com/groups/750040@N25/

Now if you don't mind - but I'm going for a cup of tea and a laze on the sofa!!

100th post giveaway

Little did I know on 1st October 2007 whether I would continue posting past a week - let alone 100 posts, but here I am.  Whether you are fresh to me or a 'long time' lurker - you've given me something to blog for.  A reason to keep going when things haven't always been that easy.  You've seen me through my first craft fair, my first sale,  Christmas, Birthday's and Valentines, Attachment Disorder and the accident my step brother was involved in - and on that front, I'm pleased to say that Matthew shows serious signs of improvement.  

Which is why I finally feel that I can do this post and say THANK YOU for joining me on my blogging journey, and to invite you to participate in my 100th post giveaway.

All you'll need to do is comment on this post - nothing more, nothing less, and the prize?  Its a new line I'm adding to my store:  Washing Line Peg Bags

Good luck and I'll draw the name out of the hat on Friday 13th June (least it'll be lucky for someone!) at 8pm GMT

Cara x

Shop Update

Having put the shop update back and back I've decided today is it.  I've 'delisted' everything - just on a temporary basis and it should all be up with NEW items in it tomorrow!

I've been busy taking new photos, writing new 'blurbs' and making new stock with some fab new fabric too.  Still waiting on my lavender arriving - so no Lavender hearts and sachets yet, but they're coming!

www.madebycara.etsy.com

PS - My 100 post is due to be my next post.  However with Matthew not being well, my attention really hasn't been that focused.  That said - I will do a Giveaway in honour of reaching this milestone.  More details next post.

Macro #14

Yum - more fabric combos for more stock.

Macro #13

Pink bias trim and green fabric.
I've been wanting to make some more tissue holders for a while, but I wanted to make a change to my original design. Now I had the basics, but I couldn't get the inner seams just right. Thats a Virgo trait in me. Which leads me nicely onto perfection. I get really cross when I don't quite get something right. It really annoys me on many levels. Typically I make errors when my mind isn't fully on the job - how annoying is that! I don't generally put my errors on Etsy, I don't think there is a particular reason, I just don't. I do however tend to offer them at the craft fairs I go to. Anyway - finally sorted out my tissue holders, and I'm happy with them now. I've listed two new ones and have a further 6 to photograph and list. I'm also trying to increase my stock levels in readiness for the fair I'm doing in Covent Garden later this year.

'

Macro #12

In the middle of 'doing' some more pegs!

Macro #11

Lots of lovely fabric triangles for mini bunting.

Macro #10

Sewing some more crayon rolls for the shop.

Light

Oooo - I'm getting excited. There's light in the sky. Now I do have food shopping to do - but that can wait! I might just be able to take some photographs today ...

If so, there's going to be a big shop update coming!

And that Macro Shot too!

Etsy Critique

Well,

I've just left an Etsy Critique and on the whole I think I survived! My items were well received and I was complimented on my photography, but there are a few things to change.

I've known for a while that my banner and avatar don't quite go with the flow of my shop - but what to do. This and a couple of my tags are the main things to come out of the critique. I need to inject more colour into my banner - I love the 'We Make' banner which I made (not the logo - ChickP gets the credit for that!), but I can't seem to 'define' my shop. I'm not going to do anything just now... but I'm definately open to suggestions... please!

FELT....

More supplies for new designs.....

An odd post...

But oh so worth it!

Here is a very important date :: June 22nd 2008

You'll need to keep it in your diaries - but thats all I'm going to say right now...

Well, that and watch this space!

C x

New items and a purchase!

I've been wanting a clutch purse for quite a while now. I wanted something a little dramatic and something that would go with 'anything'. Finally I found it! I've been coveting Redrubyrose over on Etsy since she opened her shop. I love the simplistic style, yet sumptious fabric choices, and yesterday I found 'just' the one. I have a wedding to go to in April and this will just complete my outfit. It'll also look rather ace with the top that I'm (shortly) having made for me by the talented Abi Bansal, also on Etsy. She uses fantastic linen and also makes great bags - I've got my eye on a particular one, but I shall not say for fear of it being sold!

So in order to fund my desires - I've added a couple of items to my shop. The garden looked particularly spring like this morning with the sun beaming down, and so pictures were taken outside.

Pink Bird :: £6.25

Bluebird :: £6.25

Some work in progress - more birds and animals for mobile stands, watch this space!

Destined to be....

more bunting of course...